Dodgers exec stays loyal to LA instead of grabbing Phillies GM job

The Los Angeles Dodgers’ brain drain is canceled — Josh Byrnes is staying.

It can be difficult for winning franchises like the Los Angeles Dodgers to maintain the skeleton of their success for years upon years. After all, doesn’t everybody want to emulate what the king has created?

And doesn’t some of that come from poaching talent for elevated roles?

It doesn’t look like the Dodgers have much to worry about this offseason, though.

It’s possible that some of the names on the field will change, like Justin Turner and Kiké Hernández. But Andrew Friedman’s key lieutenants aren’t going anywhere, which became perfectly clear late Tuesday night when Senior VP Josh Byrnes turned down the opportunity to be considered for the vacant Phillies GM job.

What does this tell us? Well, he’s comfortable in Los Angeles sitting atop Major League Baseball. There also must be some…unholy financial restrictions in Philadelphia, a big market team that’s gone half-in on adding talent to the pool.

Bryce Harper’s stuck in place for another decade. Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola sit atop their rotation. Beyond those three and Rookie of the Year candidate Alec Bohm, the cabinet is bone dry, especially as their partial front office appears hell-bent on letting JT Realmuto walk.

Perhaps Byrnes was scared off by all the uncertainty, because otherwise, leaving a GM job on the table simply to remain in place is generally frowned upon. That being said, it’s good to be a Dodger right now, and it could be very, very bad to be a Phillie (with Steve Cohen’s money, the Marlins’ rise under Kim Ng, and the Braves’ young core looming).

Yikes. Avert your eyes, Los Angeles, and be glad that’s not our lot.

For now, Byrnes will remain in Hollywood, though he’ll of course be a hot candidate for any promotions that open up in the years to come.

This all-important offseason will require all hands on deck for the Dodgers, though, which could make all the difference in Turner negotiations, or potentially a Francisco Lindor/Nolan Arenado blockbuster.

Dodgers: 3 potential free agency mistakes LAD must avoid

Theoretically, the Los Angeles Dodgers are going to have a little money to spend in free agency this year -- but they shouldn't make these mistakes.