Former Los Angeles Dodgers senior vice president of baseball operations Josh Byrnes opened up about what he learned from being under Andrew Friedman.
Byrnes left the Dodgers in December to accept a promotion with the Colorado Rockies, a division rival. With Colorado, he will serve as the general manager, teaming up with Paul DePodesta, the Rockies’ president of baseball operations.
The executive has been with the Dodgers since 2014, spending over a decade with the organization. He joined alongside Friedman, who was hired as the president of baseball operations.
More news: Dodgers Announce Exclusive Spring Training Experience: Meet & Greets, Special Seats, More
Since taking over the franchise, Friedman has led the franchise to consistent playoff runs, built some of the best regular-season teams in baseball history, and won three World Series titles.
Friedman came from the Tampa Bay Rays, where he optimized the organization to deliver the best possible results given limited resources.
During an appearance on the “Baseball Isn’t Boring” podcast, Byrnes detailed how the Dodgers’ organization was run and offered insight into the front-office process.
“But I think the Dodgers, from day one, we set out to be a big market team and also a small market team. And sort of like, we can go get the very best players and spend, but we want to like operate with the mindset and efficiency of a small market team,” Byrnes said.
“I think we also, with all the things related to players, I think we really felt like we needed to be the best at maxing out the players. Whether we’re drafting them, trading for them, or whatever—free agent signing—and like that whatever version that player [is], the best version will be on our watch.
“And I think that is a very powerful thing internally. You don’t end up, you know, sort of being defeated or complaining or being critical. You’re always like, ‘We can do more, we scan do more.’ And the players feel that.
“I think they know how much energy is spent on their behalf. And it’s all directed towards winning. So I think like the atmosphere of the Dodgers was probably those things.
“Yes, we can be big boy spenders, but we can also operate like a small market team, and we also max out the players. So I think that was probably what stood out as much as anything during my time with the Dodgers.”
More news: 5 Reasons Why The Dodgers Should Pursue Blue Jays Star Bo Bichette
Friedman has been the best signing the Dodgers have ever made, whether player- or staff-wise, given the number of gems he has unearthed for the Dodgers and how he has adapted his model to fit Los Angeles’s mindset.
He has been patient and held onto prospects who have become stars rather than swinging trades for veteran, high-profile names, while also taking advantage of good opportunities to be aggressive, like the Mookie Betts trade, among others.
His impact cannot be overstated, and Byrnes emphasized the traits that make the organization exceptional.
Photo Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
