Dodgers complicate Red Sox search for new head of baseball operations

If the Los Angeles Dodgers had an American League rival, at least in the modern era, it would certainly be the Boston Red Sox, who defeated LA in the 2018 World Series and has tried to replicate Andrew Friedman's front office blueprint.

Following that 2018 World Series, the Sox fired Dave Dombrowski less than a year after hoisting the Commissioner's Trophy and attempted to usher in a new era with Chaim Bloom. In an effort to cut costs and implement a modern day version of moneyball, the Sox poached Bloom from the Rays, much like how the Dodgers swiped Friedman from Tampa back in 2014.

The difference? The Dodgers let Friedman spend big money in conjunction with his small-market practices. The Red Sox used Bloom as a scapegoat to tear down a championship roster and then left it all up to him to build a Rays-esque roster in Boston.

The result? Three losing seasons. Three last-place finishes in the AL East. One playoff appearance as a Wild Card team that somehow resulted in an ALCS run. Bloom was dismissed about a month ago and now the Sox are searching for their next baseball ops leader.

You know who it won't be, though? Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes, who reportedly declined the opportunity to interview for the job when the Red Sox inquired.

Dodgers Rumors: Brandon Gomes rejects Red Sox for job interview

Gomes earned the promotion to Dodgers GM in January of 2022 and has been Friedman's right-hand man. Though LA hasn't seen the playoff success many were expecting, it's still an in-demand job because of the franchise's pedigree and regular-season dominance for over a decade.

And it depends what you value. The Red Sox are in constant turmoil. Their four World Series titles since 2004 are as impressive as it gets, but sandwiched in between were countless drama-filled offseasons that featured managerial dismissals, front office turnover, and mishandling of players.

Gomes, unless he managed to maintain uninterrupted success while being hamstrung by ownership, would just likely be chewed up and spit out in 3-5 years. He probably knows that, which is why he reportedly denied the interview.

Gomes isn't the only respectable candidate that's rejected the Red Sox' advances, either. Apparently many are staying away from the job vacancy based on what's occurred ever since the conclusion of the 2018 season. Dombrowski was disrespected. Though Bloom wasn't exactly great, he was given the keys to an operation that was never going to help him be viewed as the good guy.

Phillies GM Sam Fuld, who's working under Dombrowski right now, also reportedly turned down Boston's interview request. Reports have suggested the Sox are having a tough time finding someone willing to take over what's been viewed as a mess.

When you're catching strays from Boston native Peter Gammons, who has been around the sport as long as anybody, you know it's now beyond a boiling point.

Whether Gomes stays or goes, he knows that he can set himself up nicely while working for the Dodgers in the meantime if another desirable position opens up. He's smart enough to know the job in Boston isn't the right one, which should have Dodgers fans comfortable knowing he's in charge of important personnel decisions.