Dodgers could take advantage of new Rockies connection to net Gold Glove outfielder

The Dodgers lost assistant president of baseball operations Josh Byrnes to the Rockies, of all teams, this offseason. He was hired away by Colorado's new PoBO Paul DePodesta, along with a huge new crop of front office members and coaches from other organizations, to be their new GM. The Rockies might finally be gearing up to compete again.

And the Dodgers could take advantage. If the Red Sox and Cardinals are any indication, front office members moving can have a huge effect on dealings between clubs. On Sunday, former Red Sox Chief Baseball Officer, now Cardinals' PoBO, Chaim Bloom made a trade that sent Willson Contreras to Boston with pitcher Hunter Dobbins (and two others) headed to St. Louis. Dobbins was an eighth-round Red Sox pick in 2021, during Bloom's tenure.

The Rockies and Dodgers very rarely make deals. The last time they made a trade involving a big leaguer was 2014, when Juan Nicasio came over from Colorado in exchange for a minor league outfielder.

But Fabian Ardaya speculated that that could change with Byrnes now in the Rockies' front office. Unless not trading with the Dodgers is a direct order from Dick Monfort, maybe they could be moved to deal outfielder Brenton Doyle to fill one of LA's outfield spots.

Dodgers might be able to convince new Rockies GM Josh Byrnes to make a trade for outfielder Brenton Doyle

Doyle is a two-time Gold Glove winner who put up nice numbers in 2024. He played in 149 games and hit .260 with a .764 OPS with a 14 OAA in center field. His bat sort of disappeared in 2025, but his defense remained solid.

While team control is usually a huge plus for buying teams, the Dodgers are looking for shorter-term situations on both the free agent and trade markets. They won't go after Kyle Tucker unless he's willing to take a four-year deal, and trade candidates Steven Kwan, Brendan Donovan, and Lars Nootbaar only have two years of team control left. Doyle has four years left, including this upcoming season.

But Doyle would be cheap and vastly improve LA's outfield defense, which is bogged down heavily by Teoscar Hernández. Doyle in center, Andy Pages in right, and Hernández in left would offer far more reassurance.

Other teams, including the Phillies, Yankees and Orioles, have reportedly made calls about him. The Rockies don't seem motivated to move him, but maybe the Dodgers could summon a little favor from their former exec.