Dodgers End 12-Year Run with Hitting Coach Aaron Bates
After more than a decade coaching in the organization, Aaron Bates will not return as co-hitting coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2027 due to contract disagreements.
The Los Angeles Dodgers and hitting coach Aaron Bates have officially parted ways, ending a 12-year coaching tenure with the organization. The announcement came on November 6, 2026, confirming earlier reports that negotiations for Bates's contract renewal fell through. This development marks a significant shift in the Dodgers' coaching staff as they prepare for the upcoming season.
Bates had served as a co-hitting coach alongside Robert Van Scoyoc for the past four seasons. During that period, the Dodgers' offense consistently ranked near the top of the Major Leagues, finishing at least fourth in runs scored each year. In 2026 alone, Los Angeles posted impressive offensive numbers, ranking fourth in runs with 801, third in batting average at .257, and second in OPS and weighted runs created plus (wRC+) with .762 and 111 respectively. Despite this strong overall performance, the offense struggled after the All-Star break, culminating in a sweep by the eventual World Series champion Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Championship Series.
The split between Bates and the Dodgers was unexpected given the team's earlier statements. At the start of the offseason, president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman had indicated that the coaching staff would largely remain intact for the 2027 season. However, the inability to agree on contract terms with Bates led to the coaching change. The Dodgers are now considering adding another hitting coach to complement Robert Van Scoyoc, who is expected to continue in his role.
While Bates’s departure ends a long chapter for the Dodgers, the team remains competitive offensively and is among the finalists for the National League Silver Slugger team award alongside Milwaukee, Chicago, and Washington. The decision to part ways with Bates reflects a recalibration in hitting leadership rather than a wholesale reset of their offensive philosophy. How the new coaching configuration will influence the Dodgers' lineup remains to be seen as they look to build on their recent success and address the late-season offensive slump.
Corner Wire covers MLB, NFL and NBA through its own newsroom. Send a correction.