The Colorado Rockies have named former Dodgers executive Josh Byrnes as the club’s new general manager the team announced.
Newly appointed president of baseball operations Paul DePodesta is familiar with Byrnes from their time working together in Cleveland during the 90’s. It’s also a homecoming of sorts for the 55 year old who previously worked with the Rockies under then GM Dan O’Dowd.
“I’m thrilled to be returning to the Rockies organization, especially at such an exciting time for the future of the franchise,” Byrnes said. “Working alongside Paul again is an incredible opportunity and I’m eager to join him and the rest of the group as we work to bring championship caliber baseball to the Rockies.”
Byrnes will certainly have his hands full in Colorado attempting to turn around the fate of a franchise which has been at the bottom of the standings for the better part of the last 10 years. The Rockies won a wildcard game vs. the Cubs back in 2018, but outside of that have had little in the way of postseason success (or appearances for that matter) since their 2007 run to the World Series.
Colorado finished 43-119 in 2025, which put them 50 games back of the NL West leading Dodgers. It was also 40 games behind the final wildcard spot as well.
Making matters even more challenging is the fact that despite their poor on field performances, the club doesn’t exactly have a bevy of top prospects knocking at the door of the Majors either. MLB.com ranked the Rockies farm system as the 24th best in baseball, with that ranking being buoyed by the addition of Ethan Holliday whom the club selected 4th overall in this year’s draft.
Nevertheless, if there’s anyone who would have an idea of how to close the gap between Colorado and LA, it would be Byrnes.
“I’m incredibly excited to be able to bring Josh into our group,” DePodesta said in a statement. “Few executives in baseball share his combination of intellectual curiosity, breadth of experience, and on-field successes. We are extremely fortunate to add him, as he immediately strengthens our entire baseball operation.”
Byrnes has also spent time working with the Arizona Diamondbacks, and San Diego Padres, making him exceptionally versed in the current NL West landscape.
Photo: DimiTalen. This file is made available under the Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication.