The Los Angeles Dodgers are preparing for a change to their coaching staff after hitting coach Aaron Bates decided to leave the organization following 12 years with the franchise.

According to MLB Trade Rumors' Tim Dierkes, Bates and the Dodgers were unable to reach an agreement on a new contract despite the organization presenting him with a multi-year offer to remain in Los Angeles.

His departure brings an end to a lengthy relationship with the franchise that began near the conclusion of his playing career and eventually developed into a prominent coaching position.

Bates was part of the Dodgers' coaching staff during three World Series championship seasons in 2020, 2024, and 2025.

Bates' connection with Los Angeles initially came as a player in 2014, when he appeared in 11 games within the organization's minor league system.

His professional playing career began much earlier. The Boston Red Sox selected Bates in the third round of the 2006 MLB Draft, and he eventually reached the major leagues in 2009.

However, his opportunity in Boston was brief. Bates recorded four hits and one walk across 12 major league plate appearances, with most of his nine-year playing career taking place in the minor leagues.

Bates spent several years working with the Dodgers' minor league hitters, serving in coaching and coordinating positions before earning a promotion to the major league staff.

He joined the big league coaching group as an assistant hitting coach in 2019, giving him a larger role in working with established major league players.

Beginning in 2023, Bates shared the Dodgers' hitting coach designation with Robert Van Scoyoc. The two worked together throughout a period in which Los Angeles continued establishing itself as one of baseball's most successful organizations.

Their time together included three championship campaigns, with the Dodgers capturing the World Series in 2020 before winning consecutive titles in 2024 and 2025.

The Dodgers now have another decision to make as they prepare for the upcoming season.

Van Scoyoc remains with the organization as its hitting coach, but it is unclear whether Los Angeles intends to bring in another coach to replace Bates or consider an internal promotion from its minor-league system.

The organization had appeared positioned to maintain continuity throughout its coaching department, making Bates' exit an unexpected development.

His experience working with major-league hitters and his extensive familiarity with the Dodgers' player-development structure should provide him with opportunities elsewhere in baseball.

After spending more than a decade helping develop players throughout the organization, Bates will now look toward the next stage of his coaching career away from Los Angeles.