The Los Angeles Dodgers are making a significant change to their coaching staff following a disappointing end to the 2026 MLB postseason. The team is parting ways with hitting coach Aaron Bates after the two sides were unable to come to an agreement on a new deal.
Can confirm the Dodgers are parting ways with hitting coach Aaron Bates after the two sides were unable to come to an agreement on a new deal.
First on it @timdierkes
— Katie Woo (@katiejwoo) November 6, 2026
The decision comes just weeks after the Dodgers were swept by the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Championship Series, ending their hopes of winning three consecutive World Series titles. While there were several reasons for the disappointing postseason exit, the lack of offensive production was one of the biggest problems for Los Angeles. Now, Bates is out as the organization looks toward next season.
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Dodgers part ways with hitting coach Aaron Bates
Oct 15, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) leaves the dugout after losing the NLCS for the 2026 MLB Playoffs against the Milwaukee Brewers at Uniqlo Field at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
The Dodgers and Bates were unable to reach an agreement on a new contract, resulting in the two sides going their separate ways. His departure represents an important change for a team that has enjoyed considerable success in recent seasons but fell well short of its ultimate goal in 2026.
It is difficult not to view the timing of the decision through the lens of how the season ended. Los Angeles entered the postseason with championship expectations, but the offense struggled to deliver when it mattered most.
The Dodgers were particularly ineffective with runners in scoring position during the NLCS, going just 5-for-43 in those situations against Milwaukee. That lack of timely hitting became a major storyline as the Brewers completed the four-game sweep.
The offensive concerns were not limited to the NLCS, either. The team’s bats had gone quiet down the stretch of the regular season, creating questions about the lineup’s ability to consistently produce against quality pitching.
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Aaron Bates could be the fall guy for Dodgers’ offensive struggles
Oct 15, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Alex Freeland reacts in the dugout after game four of the NLCS for the 2026 MLB Playoffs against the Milwaukee Brewers at Uniqlo Field at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
Ultimately, someone was going to face questions about the Dodgers’ offensive shortcomings, and Bates appears to be the person moving on. The timing makes the hitting coach a logical candidate for a change, even if the team’s struggles cannot be placed entirely on one person.
There is only so much a hitting coach can do when an entire lineup fails to produce consistently. The Dodgers have plenty of established hitters, and the responsibility for performing at the plate belongs to the players as well. Still, when an offense struggles for an extended period and then disappears during a postseason series, changes to the coaching staff become a natural possibility.
The Brewers deserve credit for how they handled the Dodgers’ lineup, but Los Angeles also has to look at what went wrong internally. The team had opportunities throughout the NLCS and repeatedly failed to capitalize on them.
Parting ways with Bates does not guarantee the offense will suddenly return to its previous form, but it gives the Dodgers an opportunity to bring in a new voice and approach. After falling short of a historic three-peat, the organization clearly has work to do before the 2027 season. Bates’ departure is one of the first notable changes following a postseason disappointment that will not be forgotten anytime soon.
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