Pose a Rockies- or MLB-related question for the Rockies Mailbag.

Where did T.J. feltner Rumfield come from? This guy seemed like he came out of nowhere.

— Mark, Arvada

Mark, let me start by saying that Rumfield has been Colorado’s best offensive player in the early going. As I write this, he’s slashing .364/.417/.636 (1.053 OPS), with two homers and seven RBIs. Plus, he’s played superb defense at first base.

But he didn’t come out of nowhere. He came from the Bronx. This is what I wrote early in spring training:

“T.J. Rumfield was a big-league first baseman trapped in Triple-A limbo. At least, that����ap how he saw things. So did the Rockies.

“Which is why they acquired the Yankees’ minor leaguer in exchange for talented but mercurial right-handed reliever Angel Chivilli in a trade in late January. Now it����ap Rumfield’s job to bust open the door of opportunity.”

He’s done exactly that, winning the job in spring training and coming out of the gate hot.

Interesting fact: T.J.’s father, Toby, was the Reds’ 1991 second-round pick and spent 14 years in the minor leagues as a catcher, playing for the Braves, White Sox, Marlins, and Cardinals systems. Toby made it as high as Triple-A but never made the majors.

The steals have been fun, but besides that, the Rockies’ approach has been miserable: heavy on strikeouts, low on walks, and non-existent in the clutch. They seem like a young team trying too hard, but is it an overall lack of talent, or can this group improve? And why is Warren Schaeffer only starting Jordan Beck (a supposed cornerstone) half the time when Jake McCarthy starts every day and has been even worse?

— Isaac Bowen, Fort Collins

Isaac, not to make excuses for the Rockies (who are 4-6 as I write this), but it’s very early. Still, outside of two games, the offense has been awful.

Colorado’s 6.0 walk percentage is the lowest in the majors, while its 29.5% strikeout rate is the second highest. The Rockies’ .241 average with runners in scoring position ranks 19th.

The Rockies’ 10 steals are tied for third-most.

So, while I’m on board with Schaeffer’s plan to turn his team into the “Go Go Rox,” the Rockies can’t put pressure on the opposition if they don’t get on base more.

Is it a lack of talent? That’s part of the problem. Let’s face it, the Rockies aren’t fielding very many All-Star Game candidates. Plus, some of the players Colorado is counting on to be cornerstones are off to terrible starts. Brenton Doyle is hitting .129 with a 35.3% K rate, and Beck is hitting .091 with a 25.0% K rate.

Are they trying too hard? Are they pressing? Perhaps, but they have been in the league long enough to have gotten over that and produce.

As for McCarthy getting playing time over Beck, I don’t have the answer for that right now, other than to say that Schaeffer has been mixing and matching his lineup a lot in the early going. I think he’s searching for combinations. Let’s face it, this is an experimental season for the Rockies.

The St. Louis Browns are widely considered the worst franchise over a sustained period of 50-plus years. In their 52 years of existence, they recorded 3,414 wins and 4,465 losses for a winning percentage of .433. The Rockies currently have a winning percentage of .456. To drop from .456 to below .433 by their 52nd year, the Rockies would need to average roughly 68 wins per season (a .420 winning percentage) for the next 18 years. What do you think the odds are that the Rockies get to the .433 mark? Maybe when the Baltimore Orioles play at Coors Field someday, they can wear Browns throwback jerseys and we can wear Denver Bears strikezone jerseys.

— Ned Ryerson, Greeley

OK, “Ned Ryerson,” are you going to try to sell me some insurance? “Whoa-ho-ho! Watch out for that first step! It’s a doozy!”

Anyway, I don’t think the Rockies are ever going to experience a St. Louis Browns’ Groundhog Day.

By the way, The St. Louis Browns are perhaps history’s worst Major League franchise. The Browns played in the American League from 1902 to 1953 and managed just 11 winning seasons over that span.

They lost more than 100 games eight times, finishing dead last in the AL 10 times. They finished as high as second in the AL standings just three times. The Browns won just one pennant, in 1944, when the majors were not at full strength due to World War II. In 1954, following eight straight losing seasons, the Browns moved to Baltimore and became the Baltimore Orioles.

Are you a fan of the ABS system? And might the Rockies fanbase turn its back on the team with another lousy year?

— Ed Helinski, Auburn, N.Y.

Ed, first of all, thanks for your continued participation in my Rockies Mailbag. You picked two hot topics this week.

Regarding ABS (Automated Ball-Strike system), I do like it. It’s much more seamless than I anticipated. Fans seem to love it, and it keeps them engaged. Some umpires love it (those who get the calls right), but I’m sure some don’t. We are just 10 games into the season, so let’s see how this all plays out.

As for the fans, when the weather warms up, and the Cubs, Red Sox and Dodgers come to town, Coors Field is going to be pretty full. But I do sense that the Rockies fan base is worn out from all the losing. The people I talk to are definitely in “prove-it-to-me” mode, even with the front-office changes in place.

Monday night, the announced crowd at Coors was 16,301, marking the lowest home attendance in franchise history, excluding pandemic-affected seasons. It’s something to keep an eye on if the Rockies keep losing.

Is this just normal springtime when the starters can only pick 70 or so pitches per game? It seems like the Rox are overtaxing the bullpen already. When can we expect the rotation to go later into ball games? Thanks!

— Murphy, Akron

Murphy, part of the low pitch count from Rockies starters has to do with it being early in the season, but part of it has to do with ineffectiveness.

And part of it has to do with the Rockies’ game plan, which is still a work in progress. The team has a few pitchers in the bullpen — Antonio Senzatela, Chase Dollander, and Jimmy Herget — who are capable of throwing multiple innings. I think Warren Schaeffer is going to use long relievers a lot this season.

But if a pitcher is going well, Schaeffer will give them a reasonably long leash. In Colorado’s win over the Phillies, new right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano pitched six innings and threw 78 pitches (51 strikes). It was a strong, efficient start. In the Rockies’ win over the Astros on Monday night, Ryan Feltner pitched 5 1/3 innings, throwing 70 pitches (43 strikes). I’m sure the Rockies wanted him to go deeper into the game.

Patrick, as a Rockies fan from the beginning, I’ve been wanting to ask what all these acronyms are that are being used these days, such as WAR, and others that I can’t think of at this moment. Thanks for all of your reporting and suffering during the last years of mismanagement of the team.

— Phil Donahue, Chico, Calif.

Phil, it’s easy to drown in baseball’s alphabet soup. Some fans — and reporters — are heavy into stats and analytics. I’m more of a storyteller, so perhaps a dinosaur.

However, many statistics can be useful and illuminating. If you watch Rockies games on TV, analysts Ryan Spilborghs, Cory Sullivan and Jeff Huson do a nice job of using more advanced stats.

You ask specifically about WAR. Here is the definition from Major League Baseball: WAR measures a player’s value across all facets of the game by quantifying how many more wins he’s worth than a replacement-level player at his position (e.g., a Minor League replacement or a readily available fill-in free agent).

If you want a deeper dive into the stats, I suggest you visit .

Looking at the starting rotation, I struggle to find a reason for Ryan Feltner to be there. What is Warren Schaeffer and Company’s rationale for Feltner as the fifth starter rather than Chase Dollander or Tanner Gordon, both of whom seem to be better options? Happy Opening Day, Patrick!

— Jack, Centennial

Jack, you’re preaching to the wrong choir here. I’ve been a big proponent of Feltner’s, as you can tell from my Rockies Journal from last Sunday. I think he has really good stuff, though not as dynamic as Dollander’s. Feltner just needs to harness his talent and attack the strike zone.

I’m predicting that both Feltner and Dollander will be in the rotation before the All-Star break. Gordon could be in the rotation, too, in the second half of the season if the Rockies trade any of their veteran starters who are on one-year deals.

It’s a very small sample size, but I’ve been impressed by Tomoyuki Sugano so far. Do you think he’ll re-sign after this season or is this just a one-off?

— Ryan, Wheat Ridge

Ryan, I’ve also been impressed with Sugano. He’s a crafty pitcher. He signed a one-year deal for $5.1 million, and I think he’ll be one-and-done in Colorado. He’s 36, and I don’t see the rebuilding Rockies re-signing him at age 37. If he continues to impress, it wouldn’t surprise me if the Rockies move him at the trade deadline. That’s what they should do.

Pose a Rockies- or MLB-related question for the Rockies Mailbag.

Is Zac Veen going to make the team? If so, will he play?

— Chris Haag, Cincinnati

Chris, you are not the only one asking about Veen. He’s an intriguing player because he was a first-round draft choice (No. 9 overall in 2020), and because he has prodigious power potential.

But Veen, 24, did not make the Opening Day roster for Friday’s game at Miami because he’s dealing with a knee injury that slowed him for much of spring training. Even if Veen had been healthy, I doubt he would have made the team. He has a lot of work to do to become a better outfielder, and he needs work as a hitter, too. There are a lot of holes in his swing. The hope is that he doesn’t turn into a strikeout machine like the departed Michael Toglia.

Like a lot of people, I’m rooting for Veen, who’s had to deal with a lot in his young life, including substance abuse issues.

I have been following the Rockies since their 2007 run to the World Series. What a ride that was. My younger stepson learned baseball at Coors Field. He saw Chris Iannetta hit a ninth-inning grand slam against the Houston Astros and has gone with me since. My question is this: What in the world does everyone see in Jordan Beck? I see a lot of strikeouts. I see an impossibly uncontrollable swing. His head turns completely on his shoulders. He cannot possibly see the ball after he swings. Yes, he has gotten better in the outfield on defense and has a really good, accurate arm. But at the plate? Please help me out here.

— Ari Nixon, Brush

Ari, I think the best word to describe Beck is “streaky.” But when he’s hot, he’s a force, so I understand why so many fans and members of the front office and coaching staff believe he has All-Star potential. Plus, you have to remember that Beck is only 24.

Consider this little statistical nugget: per OptaSTATS, Beck became the second player in major league history to have his first five home runs of a season all come in two days (April 24-25), joining Ty Cobb on May 5-6, 1925. Beck was also the first Rockie in history to have five home runs in any two-day span.

But also consider this: He opened the 2025 season with the Rockies but was quickly optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque on April 7 after starting the season 3 for 20 (.150) over nine games.

And then there are his dramatic home/road splits. He slashed .303/.348/.466 with 18 doubles, three triples, eight home runs, and 36 RBIs in 76 games at home, while slashing .204/.280/.355 with nine doubles, three triples, eight home
runs and 17 RBIs in 72 road games.

Finally, Beck needs to cut down on the K’s. He struck out 80 times in 251 plate appearances in the second half last season, a 31.9 strikeout percentage that was the eighth highest in the majors post All-Star break.

I’m not as critical of Beck’s plate approach as you are. He wouldn’t have gotten this far without a decent approach. He still has a solid chance to be a very good big-league player.

For the first time in years, the Rockies have changed their front office personnel and incorporated new ways to play baseball and win games. Even if the new regime is successful (75-80 wins) and analytics take hold, how many years can we wait to consistently get .500 baseball? How far is the Rockies’ analytics department behind the league? I predict 75-87 (maybe my last prognostication). Cheers!

— Robert Emmerling, Limon

Robert, I salute your optimism. But 75-87 this season?! In the name of the late Harry Caray, “Holy Cow!” I don’t see it.

Like you, I applaud the Rockies’ willingness to change their process. It’s way past time. As far as consistent, .500 baseball? I would think 2028 would be reasonable.

Hi Patrick, I have enjoyed your insights for a long time for both baseball and football. I also enjoyed reading your dad’s articles for many years. The Rockies have historically done well developing Latin American players (Ubaldo Jimenez, German Marquez, Ezequiel Tovar, etc.). Are there any young Latin American players we should be looking for in the near future to make an impact? Why don’t I ever see the Rockies being named as a possible suitor in the Asian market? Both Japan and Korea have produced many quality MLB players in the last few years, but I never see the Rockies as a possible landing spot. Thanks.

— Gene Ryan, Green Valley, Ariz.

Ryan, thanks so much for the compliment and for remembering my dad, Dusty Saunders.

A quick, bittersweet anecdote about my dad, who was a big baseball fan. My dad died at age 90, almost four years ago. I was with him on the day he died, and I was watching a Rockies road game when he passed. In his eulogy, I joked that my dad woke up briefly, saw that the Rockies were getting rocked again, and said, “I can’t take it anymore.” Then he passed away.

OK, on to your question. The Rockies’ best Latin players right now are outfielder/second baseman Roldy Brito (Dominican Republic), outfielder Robert Calaz (Dominican), and third baseman/shortstop Wilder Dalis (Venezuela).  I think 2028 would be the earliest we see any of them in the big leagues.

As for the Rockies’ presence in Asia, they used to simply punt, believing they couldn’t compete. But Paul DePodesta, the new president of baseball operations, plans to change that.

“I absolutely think it’s important,” DePodesta said during baseball’s winter meetings in December. “We’ve talked about a necessity for us to be sort of active in every possible avenue to acquire talent. So whether it’s Latin America, whether it’s Asia, whether it’s the waiver wire, you have Major League free agent [and] trades. I mean all of it. I think we have to be actively involved in all of those to try to find some potential solutions for us. And so I do think that’s an area where we’ll probably ramp up our efforts to some degree.”

At this point, it is pretty obvious to everyone, including Kris Bryant and the bat boy, that he will never play baseball again. With the highest annual player salary on the team, you would think he would be inclined to initiate a contract renegotiation to provide some relief to our current payroll. Seems like I remember Todd Helton doing this, which was a pretty stand-up and classy move to help the team.

Do you think these discussions may be possible at all?

Looking forward to all your 2026 Rockies articles!

— Troy, the biggest Rockies fan in Virginia

Troy, thanks for reading. It’s very much appreciated.

You’re correct, Helton did defer part of his contract. In March 2010, Helton signed a two-year extension ($9.9 million 2012–13) that also reworked his 2011 salary and 2012 buyout, totaling $13.1 million in deferred money.

However, the Bryant situation is much different. Helton was still playing, and he was a Rockies icon, with deep ties to ownership. Bryant is not playing and is still owed $81 million over the next three seasons. Plus, Bryant’s agent is Scott Boras, one of the most powerful men in sports, and he’s going to get all of that money for his client.

At some point, a deal will likely be worked out. This is what I wrote last November:

“Retirement, with a financial agreement worked out with the Rockies, seems like the sensible course of action. It����ap what former Nationals ace Stephen Strasburg eventually did when he finally retired in April 2024. Strasburg, who had not pitched since June 9, 2022, is receiving all the remaining $105 million owed from his original seven-year, $245 million contract.

“His original contract was heavily deferred — $11.4 million annually, according to USA Today — with Strasburg scheduled to receive $26.5 million in 2027, ’28 and ’29. When Strasburg retired, the contract was restructured to spread out the deferrals further into the future.”

Who will be doing the Rockies radio broadcasts in 2026? On the spring training simulcasts, I thought I understood they were auditioning three possible partners with Jack Corrigan. Who employs them? Are the TV broadcasters the same as before? Thank you.

— Steve, Aurora

Steve, funny you should ask. I had just reached out to David Tepper, the program director at 850 KOA. He told me that it has not yet been decided who will work with Corrigan in the radio booth. For now, Corrigan will team with longtime producer Jesse Thomas when the Rockies open their season on Friday in Miami.

During spring training, the Rockies auditioned Zach Goodman (announcer for the Double-A Amarillo Sod Poodles and son of Drew Goodman, the Rockies’ longtime TV play-by-play man), Albuquerque Isotopes announcer Josh Suchon, and Hartford Yard Goats announcer Jeff Dooley. I believe one of those three will join Corrigan.

KOA is looking to replace Jerry Schemmel, the longtime Colorado broadcaster, who was laid off for the second time by iHeartMedia last October. Schemmel now works as an ambassador and chief fundraiser for Best Day Ministries in downtown Longmont.

Do the Rockies have enough to win 50 or 60 games this season?

— Ed Helinski, Auburn, N.Y.

Ed, you’re not a glass-half-full kind of guy, are you? At least not when it comes to the Rockies. They will be improved, so yes, they can win 60 games. In fact, my preseason prediction is a 60-102 record.

Pose a Rockies- or MLB-related question for the Rockies Mailbag.

This is the first time in a long time that I feel good about the future of our team. What do you think is the most optimistic yet realistic expectation we should have? I feel like 70 wins is the ceiling, and a couple of our prospects emerge with solid seasons, like Zac Veen and Chase Dollander. What do you think?

— Marshall, Parker

Marshall, your optimism is refreshing. I do feel like there was a new energy at spring training, and the players have bought into the Rockies’ new direction under Paul Depodesta, the president of baseball operations, and manager Warren Schaeffer.

To reach 70 wins, the Rockies would have to improve by 27 games from their 43-119 record. That would be a quantum leap, and I don’t see it happening. You have to remember that Colorado was outscored by 424 runs last season.

The infamous Chicago White Sox went from 41-214 in 2024 to 60-102 in ’25. If the Rockies lose only 102 games this season, that would be progress.

Renck: What’s new with Rockies pitching staff? Chase Dollander will show you

I think Dollander will improve markedly this season, though he's not a lock to break camp as a member of the starting rotation. I don't believe that Zac Veen will make the 26-man roster out of camp, and I don't know if he'll make a big-league impact this season.

The three young players I'm most intrigued by are third baseman Kyle Karros, first baseman TJ Rumfield, and utility player Ryan Ritter.

And, of course, the Rockies need comeback seasons from shortstop Ezequiel Tovar and center fielder Brenton Doyle, whom I wrote about on Sunday.

Rockies’ rebuild in 2026 depends on Gold Glove performances by Ezequiel Tovar, Brenton Doyle

Great spring training reports and insight into 2026. I was looking over the Rockies' players who made the World Baseball Classic rosters. The only one of note was Ezequiel Tovar playing for Venezuela. Tovar is one of the best-performing Rockies so far. I am not sure who to come to the ballpark to really get a glimpse of stardom (from the home team, of course), who do you see being worthy to pay to see, and who might emerge at this year's Troy Tulowitzki or Nolan Arenado?

— Robert Emmerling, Limon

Thanks for the compliment, Robert; it's appreciated.

I don't see anyone bursting on the scene as Arenado did in 2013 when he won a Gold Glove as a rookie, or as Story did in 2016 when he mashed 27 home runs and hit .273 in 97 games. Story likely would have been the rookie of the year if he hadn't torn ligaments in his left thumb and missed the rest of the season.

But, to answer your question, I'll go with third baseman Kyle Karros. He's capable of Arenado-like plays, and I think he's going to become a force at the plate, too.

I'm kind of blown away that the oldest hitter on the Rockies' roster is 28. That has to be a record for the youngest offense. They know Kris Bryant is not going to be there. It appears to be a poor decision by the GM and the manager not to have a veteran professional hitter mentoring these kids. No team does this. Why didn't they pick up a Randal Grichuk or Justin Turner, Tommy Pham, or Rhys Hoskins, all still available? The Rockies just keep doing things nobody else in MLB does. Why?

— Harvey, Denver

I totally disagree with you, Harvey. The Rockies brought in Willi Castro, 28, to be a veteran catalyst on the team. Given the team's payroll constraints right now (they owe Bryant $27 million this season) and with a labor war looming, it wouldn't have made sense to spend money on an over-the-hill veteran hitter. The Rockies need their young players to play.

I think you're going to see growth from players such as Jordan Beck, Kyle Karros, and TJ Rumfield. Where the Rockies desperately needed some veteran stability was in their starting rotation. They addressed that issue by signing Tomoyuki Sugano, Jose Quintana, and Michael Lorenzen.

Can Rockies fix swing-and-whiff offense from disastrous 2025? New hitting coach keeps it simple

Has covering the Rockies gone from one of the worst beat jobs to one of the most interesting? They've gone from unwilling to change (and change from being horrible) to willing to try anything new with a cutting-edge coaching staff and upper management that went from never doing or saying anything to Moneyball 2.0 at altitude, where moves are frequently made and always explained in depth by Paul Depodesta. It also seems like a much more interesting mix of players this spring than in the past five years. Are you enjoying the switch as a reporter as much as I'm enjoying it as a fan?

— Isaac Bowen, Fort Collins

Holy cow, Isaac! Hold your horses!  I love your enthusiasm and optimism, but I've become much too cynical to jump on your bandwagon (wow, I used three cliches in three sentences).

I will say this: things will be more interesting. I'm thankful for that, and it should be fun to watch this team improve. But it's not one of the most interesting beats in baseball. Covering a team in the thick of the race in August and September is what I hope for before I retire.

Pose a Rockies- or MLB-related question for the Rockies Mailbag.

Hi Patrick, I read Troy Renck’s (column) about Zac Veen putting on 45 pounds in the offseason. How do you think that’ll help him this year? I know he was more of a speedy guy in the minors, but that 468-foot bomb against the White Sox was incredible. Do you think he’ll make the opening-day roster?

— Ryan, Arvada

Ryan, Veen’s story is the most intriguing one in camp. I’m rooting for the young man because he’s gone through a lot of personal struggles and has never lived up to the Rockies’ lofty expectations.

This spring training is huge for him, no pun intended. He has two questions to answer. First, has he conquered his personal demons? Second, does his talent translate to the major leagues? I don’t know the answers to those questions right now, and neither do the Rockies.

You’re right about that home run; it was incredible. For the record, while we were waiting to walk on the field to interview manager Warren Schaeffer after the game, I called Veen’s walk-off homer. But then, so did Cory Little, the head of Rockies media relations, and so did Schaeffer.

Will Veen’s increased bulk make him a better player? Well, he wasn’t eating much at all, so he needed to gain weight/muscle. But overall, I don’t think 45 pounds makes him a better player; he was not a solid outfielder to begin with. He looks more like a designated hitter to me, perhaps a serviceable outfielder. Will he break camp with the team? Right now, I’d say no. However, if the Rockies make a trade this spring or if there is an injury, it might open up a spot for him.

Is Mickey Moniak going to be our designated hitter? We’re pretty crowded in the outfield, and I love his bat, but he had seven errors last year and a -2.7 defensive WAR. That’s Dante Bichette-esque numbers in the field.

— Peter B., Denver

Peter, it’s too early to peg Moniak as the DH. It’s looking like the Rockies will be mixing and matching their outfielders on a regular basis, and the player who is not on the field will likely be the designated hitter. The Rockies’ best defensive outfield would be newcomer Jake McCarthy in left, Brenton Doyle in center, and Jordan Beck in right.

Regarding Moniak, he’s still a key to the Rockies’ rebuild. Manager Warren Schaeffer loves his energy and leadership, and he’s very popular with his teammates. Plus, he provides the offense with a much-needed spark. He had a solid .270/.306/.518 slash line with 24 home runs last season.

Hi Patrick. Seeing Paul DePodesta and company sign a plethora of pitchers is intriguing. Do you see the Rockies keeping more pitchers than usual on the staff this year? If so, how will that play out for the utility players?

— Del, Lamar

Del, I do not think the Rockies will have more pitchers on the roster than usual this season. The signing of three veteran starters — right-handers Michael Lorenzen and Tomoyuki Sugano, and lefty Jose Quintana — enabled the team to buy some time for its young starters to improve without getting scorched by being thrown into the fire.

That said, you’re going to see a lot of movement between Triple-A and the big leagues this season. Plus, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Rockies employ an “opener” in a number of games this season. We’re going to see some experimentation.

Bottom line: There will be five starters, eight relievers and 13 position players.

What do you think our rotation looks like this year? We picked a bunch of arms in the offseason. I feel like Kyle Freeland’s our opening-day starter. Michael Lorenzen, Jose Quintana and Tomoyuki Sugano are upgrades over what we had last year. Who else gets that last spot? Chase Dollander? Tanner Gordon? Bradley Blalock? Ryan Feltner?

— Mark, Arvada

Mark, you’ve got the first four starters right, unless one of them gets hurt. My pick for the fifth starter, at least early in spring training, is Feltner. Apart from Dollander, I think Feltner has the best raw stuff on the team. But Feltner needs to stay healthy and put together a full season, something he hasn’t done.

Dollander, in retrospect, wasn’t ready last season. If he doesn’t make the team out of spring training, I’m thinking he’ll be ticked off, but that’s OK, he’ll get his starts in the majors this season.

I think Gordon has a chance to be an effective back-of-the-rotation pitcher, but I don’t think he’ll make the team to start the season.

Blalock is no longer with the team. The Marlins acquired the right-hander off waivers in exchange for minor league right-hander Jake Brooks last month. Blalock, 25, was designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster for Lorenzen.

Hi Patrick. Firstly, thank you for your excellent coverage of the Rockies. It can’t have been easy reporting on the team in recent seasons! My question is about D.J. LeMahieu, who I understand is still a free agent. Would it be worth the Rockies signing LeMahieu to provide some experience and veteran leadership?

— David Jones, Selsey, West Sussex, England

Well, hello David, from across the pond! Thanks for reading, it’s much appreciated.

Regarding LeMahieu, I have not heard anything official, but I believe he’s planning to retire after being released by the Yankees last summer. The good news for him, the Yankees have to pay him $15 million this season.

As much as I like LeMahieu (one of my favorite players I’ve covered), he has no place on this Rockies team. Injuries have drained his talent, and the Rockies need to start developing younger players rather than returning to their distant past.

Do you know anything yet about the broadcasting of Rockies games this year on both television and streaming? Thanks!

— Murph, Akron

Murph, the setup is pretty much the same as it was last season. You can stream Rockies games or watch via your cable/satellite provider.

Also, the Rockies have partnered with 9News, the local NBC affiliate, to simulcast 10 home games. All 10 games will be shown on KTVD channel 20, and five games will also be shown on KUSA/9News.

These games are available for free, over-the-air (OTA) to viewers throughout the region. The 10 broadcasts will begin with the home opener on April 3, when the Rockies host the Phillies, and will continue with the eight select Friday games and one on August 1.

If you need more information, here is the Rockies’ information page: https://www.mlb.com/rockies/schedule/programming.

As for radio broadcasts, you can listen to all Rockies games on KOA (850 AM/94.1 FM).

I really think the Rockies have a shot at losing 90 games or fewer this season. Am I dreaming?

— Dave, Denver

Dave, sorry to wake you from your dreamy slumber, but I don’t see that happening.

I’m sure the Rockies aren’t looking at negative milestones such as avoiding losing fewer than 90 games. They are simply looking to get better. That’s the right approach. They will be better, but not 29 games better than their 43-119 record in 2025.

Bottom line: Colorado’s suspect starting pitching and anemic offense must make dramatic improvements for the club to avoid its fourth consecutive 100-loss season.

Hi Patrick. I have some hope that things are moving in the right direction. Any news on the Kris Bryant fiasco?

— Paul, Aurora

Paul, I share your hope. I have been encouraged by the changes in the front office and coaching staff. There is a new direction and energy. We’ll see where it takes the Rockies.

As for Bryant, the Rockies have stayed very quiet about his future. When I recently asked Paul DePodesta, president of baseball operations, if Bryant would be at spring training, he said, “That will be up to our medical people.”

I’ve reached out to Bryant multiple times this offseason, but haven’t received a response.

In my opinion, Bryant’s playing career is over because of his chronic back condition. The Rockies still owe him $81 million over the next three seasons.

The last time I looked, German Marquez is still available on the free-agent market. Is there any chance of him returning to the Rockies?

— Tim, Canon City

Tim, never say never, but I don’t think Marquez will return to Colorado. He told me toward the end of last season that he was eager to see how he could perform away from Coors Field. He wanted a fresh start.

Plus, the Rockies already signed Michael Lorenzen to bring in some veteran stability to their wobbly rotation. Colorado’s game plan is to try to develop young pitchers under the tutelage of new pitching coaches and coordinators. Marquez doesn’t fit those plans.

I’m sure that Marquez, who turns 31 on Feb. 22, will land with a major league team, although likely via a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training. But he’s got a lot to prove after his disastrous 2024 and ’25 seasons. In 2024, returning from Tommy John surgery, he made just four starts because of a stress reaction in his elbow. In 2025, the Rockies’ franchise strikeout leader posted a 6.70 ERA over 26 starts. Opposing teams hit .317 against him.

Who leads the team in saves this season?

— Greg, Syracuse

My first choice is Seth Halorsen, followed by Victor Vodnik.

Why Halvorsen? It’s not just because he threw a 103.3 mph fastball last season. It’s also because he is such an aggressive pitcher with the ability to let a blown save roll off his back.

The caveat here is that Halvorsen finished last season on the IL after pitching his final game on Aug. 2. Initially, there were fears that the right-hander would have to undergo Tommy John surgery. However, an MRI, ultrasound and a CT scan showed he had suffered a right flexor strain. There was no damage to the ulnar collateral ligament in the elbow. From everything I’ve heard, he’s had a normal offseason.

Halvorsen, who turns 26 on Feb. 18, had Tommy John surgery as a freshman at the University of Missouri in 2019.

Can all the new coaches from the Dodgers teach the Rockies to lay off pitches outside the zone?

— Tom, Centennial

Tom, that will be one of the biggest questions of spring training. I had a long talk with new pitching coach Brett Pill at the recent Fan Fest. He has many ideas about what the Rockies must do to address their flaws. I will address those ideas more in-depth in a later story.

Pill told me he thinks the Rockies have “a super talented group of young hitters who need to hone their approach.”

Pill, his staff, and Colorado’s hitters have a lot of work ahead of them. According to Baseball Savant, the Rockies led the majors with a 51% swing rate, a 31.7% chase rate, and a 29.0% whiff rate.

The Rockies also finished second in the majors in strikeouts with 1,531. The leader was the World Series champion Dodgers, but the powerful Dodgers also finished second with 244 home runs, while the Rockies hit the sixth-fewest (160).

With spring training getting close and deals likely to pick up, do you think the Rockies would give any consideration to bringing in Paul Goldschmidt? Could be a Jason Giambi-type role.

— Nate, Lamar

Nate, if the Rockies were a contending team, signing a veteran like Goldschmidt would make sense. Gaimbi helped the Rockies make the playoffs in 2009, much as veteran Matt Holliday did during their 2018 playoff season.

While I believe Colorado will acquire a first baseman for the 2026 season while they wait for Charlie Condon to develop, I don’t think it will be Goldschmidt.

Hey Patrick, I have a general curiosity question about MLB front-office structure and, more specifically, job titles. I know and assume that all front offices are different and have their own uniqueness to them, but can you tell me what the difference is between the “president of baseball operations” and the “general manager?”

For the Rockies, we all know Paul DeDodesta is the new head honcho in the front office, but from the outside looking in he has all of the traditional responsibilities of a general manager (trades, free-agent signings, etc.) but not the job title, and his preceding front office leaders (Bill Schmidt, Jeff Bridich, Dan O’Dowd, etc) had the title of GM. Why doesn’t DePodesta have the job title GM? And if he is the final authority on baseball decisions, why hire a “GM?” Seems like with DePodesta in charge, our new GM has the job title in name only. I am just curious if you can elaborate on the differences between the roles?

— Douglas, Denver

Douglas, excellent question that I have been trying to answer myself. I know that DePodesta and new GM Josh Byrnes will work hand in hand, even though DePodesta is the actual boss of the front office. The title of “president of baseball operations” vs. “general manager” is often a matter of semantics.

Anyway, this is what Byrnes told me when I forwarded your question to him:

“At this point, I think most teams have those two titles. As you know, it’s a big operation. Internally, we are both involved in major league club roster decisions, scouting, player development, R&D, performance science, etc.

“In addition, we need to communicate with ownership, media, agents and other clubs. So, we divide responsibilities on all of those things.”

And this is what DePodesta said:

“My view is that Josh and I are partners in this. Both of us will be involved across the baseball operation, with each of us being a bit more involved or a bit less involved in certain areas at particular times of the calendar.”

What new systems, etc., will this front office deploy at the minor-league levels? How will spring training be run differently from the previous front office?

— Logan, Grand Junction

Logan, that remains to be seen. The Rockies’ new front office has said it’s working to get everybody on the same page. That’s been Job 1, and it entails using similar analytics and technology at all levels. Going forward, the franchise would like to add more coaches at the minor league level. We’ll see how that plays out.

As for spring training, manager Warren Schaeffer will have a huge role in structuring a new camp. I know he’s eager to lay out his plan. “Through the roof,” is how he put it. Schaeffer has thus far declined to reveal specifics about how spring training will change, other than saying he wants to focus on improving Colorado’s base running. We’ll know more soon.

Hey Patrick, a couple of questions. First, I am surprised by what is happening. I never thought that (owner) Dick Monfort would bring in outside help. If Monfort lets the new kids on the block run the show their own way, how long would it take to see the effects? I am guessing two to three years before we see anything, but I could be wrong.

Also, how do you think Walt Weiss will pan out in Atlanta? The Braves were my team before the Rockies existed (it was either them or the Cubs, as they were the only ones on TV. Yes, I am dating myself).

— Del, Lamar

Del, I think we are already seeing changes: cutting loose first baseman Michael Toglia and catcher Drew Romo; trading for outfielder Jake McCarthy and lefty reliever Brennan Bernardino; and bringing in free-agent starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen. There are no blockbuster moves there — I didn’t expect any — but I think they are solid decisions.

I don’t expect the Rockies’ record to dramatically improve in 2026, but maybe they can avoid their fourth consecutive 100-loss season. Baby steps. In the best of all possible worlds, the Rockies could sniff .500 in 2027 and make a playoff push in 2028.

You have to give Walker Monfort (Dick’s son) credit for the changes in the front office. I was skeptical he would go outside the organization to rebuild the team, but he did. Kudos to him.

As for Weiss, I’m a big fan. Every player I’ve talked to about Weiss has had positive things to say about him. He’s a solid baseball man, and he learned a lot during his time with the Rockies, as he told me during baseball’s winter meetings. With Weiss at the helm, I expect the Braves to be a contender in the NL East in 2026.

What do you think of the Rockies’ moves so far? Jake McCarthy seems like a cheap pickup for a flyer. I’m not hating on the additions of (pitchers)  Michael Lorenzen and Keegan Thompson either. I mean, they’re not going to make us a .500 team, but at least we’re slowly moving in the right direction.

— Jeffrey, Parker

Jeffrey, McCarthy’s athleticism makes him an intriguing player. Over his five-year big-league career, McCarthy has slashed .260/.324/.381 with 46 doubles, 20 triples, 24 homers and 139 RBIs. He has swiped 83 bases and hit 20 triples. His 29.9 feet/second sprint speed in 2025 was tied for fifth-fastest in the majors among players with at least 200 plate appearances.

But he needs to rebound from a disappointing season that saw him sent down to Triple-A.  After playing in 142 big-league games in 2024, he played in just 67 in 2025, slashing .204/.247/.345 (.591 OPS, 67 OPS+). The trade has a chance to be positive, but if it doesn’t work out, the loss of minor league Josh Grosz is not a big deal. Also, the Rockies have a surplus of young outfielders, so I imagine they will make another trade before spring training begins on Feb. 11.

Finally, while the additions of Lorenzen and Thompson aren’t game-changers, they give the Rockies some needed depth while they look to develop pitchers in the system.

Do you think we’ll try using Michael Lorenzen as a two-way player, maybe like a poor-man’s Shohei Ohtani? He can pitch and eat up innings and play in the outfield.

— Mike, Denver

Mike, Lorenzen will only be a pitcher for the Rockies. The club has more than enough outfielders, and they need starting pitching. I suppose he could be an emergency outfielder or a pinch-hitter.

Which young player is going to make a splash for us this year?

— Mark, Arvada

Mark, my pick is third baseman Kyle Karros. He’s just 23, and he’s still filling out his 6-foot-5, 220-pound frame. I think he’s going to get stronger and hit for more power. He won’t be a prodigious home run hitter, but he’ll show more pop than he did in his late-season debut last season, when he hit just one homer in 31 games (156 plate appearances).

With his strong arm and agility, Karros has the skills to be a solid third baseman with Gold Glove potential. At the plate, he slashed .226/.308/.277 (.585 OPS, 58 OPS+) with a 26.3% strikeout rate. That’s sub-par, but he has a good swing, and he’s going to improve at the plate.

Plus, Karros loves the game and is mature and disciplined. I think he’ll make a quantum leap in 2026.

My second choice to make a big improvement is left fielder Jordan Beck.

Pose a Rockies- or MLB-related question for the Rockies Mailbag.

Do you see Clint Hurdle returning to the coaching staff for 2026?

— Austin Steffens, Greeley

The Rockies are planning for Hurdle to remain with the organization in some capacity in 2026. I don’t know the specifics yet, but I doubt he’ll be part of the big-league coaching staff under manager Warren Schaeffer. Hurdle spent last season with the Rockies, first as the hitting coach, then as the bench coach.

I’m told that with the club still hiring coaches, front-office personnel, and minor league staff, Hurdle’s role is still being discussed. We should know soon.

For Paul DePodesta and new GM Josh Byrnes, what����ap more important: Building a top-10 offense or a top-10 pitching staff?

— Tyler, Windsor

Tyler, that’s a great question. Let me start with a reality check. Because of Coors Field and baseball at altitude, I don’t see the Rockies ever having a top-10 pitching staff. A top-10 offense? For sure, they have done that several times before.

As for what’s important, right now, the priority has to be upgrading the pitching. There were too many games lost last season when the starting pitching was so bad that the Rockies really never had a chance. Bad starting pitching sucked the life out of the team. Consider: Colorado starters had a 6.65 ERA. That’s the worst since ERA became an official statistic in 1913. The Rockies were outscored by 424 runs. That minus-424 run differential surpassed the previous modern record of minus-349, set by the 1932 Boston Red Sox.

In the first inning, the Rockies’ opponents scored 142 runs. The Rockies scored 53. Ouch. Colorado’s first-inning ERA was 3.61, and hitters raked them at a .322 clip. Double ouch.

When a team loses 119 games, as the Rockies did, almost everything was bad, but I think fixing the starting pitching is DePodesta’s No. 1 priority.

Are the Rockies making any progress?

— Ed Helinski, Auburn, N.Y.

Ed, first of all, thanks for being a mailbag contributor from afar. It’s much appreciated.

Short answer to your short question: Yes.

The Rockies said they would reshape the front office by bringing in outsiders. They have done precisely that by hiring Paul DePodesta (president of baseball operations), Josh Byrnes (general manager), Tommy Tanous and Ian Levin (assistant GMs), and Matt Daniels (pitching director).

There is a good mix of forward-thinking baseball folks trying to reshape the team. It’s a good start.

The roster is essentially the same as it was at the end of the season, save for the addition of lefty reliever Brennan Bernardino, who was acquired from the Red Sox. We’ll see what other roster additions are made in the coming weeks. But so far, I’ve been encouraged.

Hi Patrick, for the first time in nearly a decade, I feel somewhat optimistic. Our front office looks like it’s finally moving into the 21st century. Is this a push from Walker Monfort since his promotion?

And what do you think constitutes a successful 2026 season for the Rox? A 20-game improvement and not losing 100 games for the first time in four years?

— Mark, Arvada

Mark, I believe Monfort deserves a lot of credit. When he was promoted to executive vice president, several people within the organization said it was a smart hire, praising Monfort for being open-minded, forward-thinking and proactive.

I was skeptical. I didn’t think owner Dick Monfort (Walker’s dad)  would cede as much power as he apparently has. I also didn’t think the Rockies would be aggressive in pursuing outside talent for the front office. I was wrong.

Still, a 20-game improvement to avoid another 100-loss season is a tall order. The team on the field still has so many question marks and flaws. Ask me again as spring training nears and the roster takes shape.

How do you think the offseason plays out for us, Patrick? Do you see us being more active than we have in previous years and targeting decent free agents? Thanks.

— Mike, Denver

Mike, this probably isn’t what you want to hear, but I don’t see the Rockies being very active in free agency this offseason. I do anticipate some trades, but I think the new front office is still trying to sort out the talent in the organization. A blueprint for the future is still being drawn up, and I don’t think this is the time to be spending a lot of money on free agents. However, it wouldn’t surprise me if the Rockies sign a veteran to play first base.

I’ve heard so much about Charlie Condon being the next big thing for the Rockies. When is he going to make his debut? And what’s going on with Zac Veen?

— Marshall, Parker

Parker, I’m excited about Condon’s potential. He’s a smart, talented and disciplined young player. He might be the first baseman the Rockies hoped Michael Toglia would become but never did.

At the winter meetings earlier this month, Paul DePodesta, president of baseball operations, made an interesting comment when I asked him about filling the hole at first base.

“(The) first-round pick from two years ago is also a pretty good-looking player,” he said, referring to Condon.

The 22-year-old Condon, selected out of Georgia with the third overall pick in 2024, flashed promise last season. At High-A Spokane, he hit .312 with three homers in 35 games. He struggled a bit after his promotion to Double-A Hartford, hitting .235 and slugging 11 home runs in 55 games. So, he’s got to get a lot more professional at-bats before he’s ready to face major league pitching. A call to the big leagues might come in the second half of the season, but I wouldn’t count on it.

As for Veen, I’m wondering if he’s ever going to make an impact in the major leagues. A combination of injuries, bad offensive habits, shaky defense, and immaturity has stalled his progress. Spring training 2026 — unless he’s traded — will tell us a lot about his Rockies future.

The ninth overall selection in the 2020 draft recently turned 24. He put up solid numbers at Triple-A Albuquerque last season,  slashing .289/.354/.468 with 11 home runs, five triples, and 23 doubles in 90 games. He’s shown flashes of talent, but his minor league career has been a roller coaster.

His major league experience has been limited to just 12 games and 37 plate appearances. He struggled, slashing .118/.189/.235 with one home run and 14 strikeouts (37.8% K-rate).

Pose a Rockies- or MLB-related question for the Rockies Mailbag.

Patrick, who is going to manage the Rockies in 2026? I hope it’s not Warren Schaeffer. We need a new voice.

— Adam, Littleton

Adam, I’ve received several messages asking the same question, though the fans seem split on their opinion of Schaeffer.

Quite honestly, I don’t know who will manage the team next season. I have not heard any whispers or rumors, let alone solid leads. So, if I were to start throwing names of veteran managers out there, it would be pure speculation. I do know that some people in the Rockies organization would like to see Bobby Meacham, the manager of Double-A Hartford, get a shot at managing in the majors. I also know that he’s interested.

However, I don’t know if Meacham will get a chance to interview with Paul DePodesta, the new president of baseball operations.

It would not surprise me if Schaeffer manages the team next season. As I’ve written before, I believe Schaeffer connected with many young players on the Rockies’ roster last season. While the team will undergo significant front office and coaching changes in the coming weeks, I think Schaeffer would provide a bridge to the team’s future. We’ll see what happens.

When Major League Baseball announced its broadcast rights for next year, it was mentioned that the five teams that MLB owns broadcast rights to were going to be primarily available via ESPN. Does this mean that for next summer, in order to watch the Rockies, I’ll have to have a subscription to ESPN, and then an additional Rockies subscription fee? Is there any clarity on how that will be sorted out?

— Kyle B., Thornton

Kyle, we finally have some clarity. ESPN and MLB announced their deal on Wednesday. To your basic question, fans won’t have to pay a subscription fee to both ESPN+ and Rockies.TV.

Here is how the deal will work:

• Fans will now be able to purchase MLB.TV through ESPN to watch their favorite teams outside their home territory. So, if you are a Yankees fan living in Colorado, you could get your Yankees fix via this new arrangement, through ESPN.

• During the terms of the agreement (through the 2028 season), ESPN will be able to offer fans in-market games for the select MLB teams — including the Rockies — whose games are being produced and distributed by the league through the ESPN app. Fans will have the ability to purchase these subscriptions either independently or as part of a bundle with MLB.TV, or as part of a package with ESPN’s app.

For the 2026 season, the local in-market streaming products will remain available on MLB’s platforms. In the Rockies’ case, that means Rockies.TV.

It’s my understanding that MLB’s deal with ESPN will affect out-of-market viewing, but not regional viewing. In other words, if you are a Yankees fan living in Colorado, you would have to pay ESPN to get your season-long Yankees baseball fix. If you are a Rockies fan, your plan to watch Rockies games would not change much.

Might we see a 2026 boycott by Rockies fans to protest the team not being competitive?

— Ed Helinski, Auburn, N.Y.

Ed, you’re a frequent contributor to the Rockies Mailbag, so I think you already know the answer. Fans are not going to boycott the Rockies, at least not en masse. The Rockies lost 119 games last season, including a 25-56 record at Coors Field, yet , they still averaged 29,687 fans per game.

About Paul DePodesta, owner Dick Monfort said, “Paul was the very first person we interviewed.” Is this true? Or is Monfort actually saying, “We faced a hard deadline in the GMs meeting in Vegas, so we had to grab the only last-minute candidate we could get?”

— Dave Stsuffer, Denver

Dave, I believe Monfort was telling the truth. I asked him about the hiring process during last week’s news conference at Coors Field, where he introduced DePodesta. Walker Monfort, the executive vice president who headed the search, also said that DePodesta was the first person interviewed. So, no, I don’t think DePodesta was a “last-minute candidate.”

However, I have been unable to confirm exactly why the two other known finalists — Guardians executive vice president/assistant general manager Matt Forman and Diamondbacks senior vice president/assistant general manager Amiel Sawdaye — were not hired.

Why don’t the Rockies look at someone like Jeff Luhnow, who turned the Cardinals and Astros into powerhouses, as GM? He was not responsible for the cheating scandal and could bring his analytics program to a team that badly needs it and is 10 years behind the other teams in that department.

— Steve P., Denver

Steve, I can’t imagine the Rockies hiring Luhnow after hiring Paul DePodesta as their new president of baseball operations, because Luhnow would have to work beneath DePodesta, and that’s not going to happen. The Rockies will hire a GM, but I’m not sure analytics would be his forte. DePodesta is already an analytics guru.

Do we have a chance at getting anyone meaningful this offseason?

— Joshua Tangye, Denver

Joshua, I assume you’re asking if the Rockies are going to sign any “meaningful” free agents or pull off a major trade. I would say no to the former and yes to the latter.

With the team in the midst of a rebuild, I don’t see it spending a lot of money on the open market, especially given that the Rockies still owe Kris Bryant $27 million per season for the next three years. However, as Paul DePodesta indicated at last week’s general managers’ meetings, the Rockies will look to acquire starting pitchers via trade, most likely offering an outfield prospect in return.

What happened to Chase Dollander’s slider? All I heard about him in college and the minors was a speedy fastball and a killer slider, but when he got to the majors this year, it seemed like he just used a flat fastball and a great curveball. Where did the slider go, and is rediscovering it the key to consistency?

— Isaac Bowen, Fort Collins

Isaac, this could be a matter of semantics. What you call a “slider” is categorized as a and FanGraphs. According to Baseball Savant, the right-hander’s pitch mix during his rookie season was four-seam fastball (49%), curveball (21%), cutter (12%), sinker (10%) and changeup (8%).

As I’m sure you know,  Dollander was a solid pitcher on the road (3.46 ERA, 1.173 WHIP, .200 average against in 10 starts), but awful at Coors Field (9.98 ERA, 1.978 WHIP, .337 average against in 11 starts).

As for his cutter (slider), it was not an effective pitch. According to Baseball Savant, he struck out only seven batters using the pitch, and opponents hit .341 against his cutter.

Pose a Rockies- or MLB-related question for the Rockies Mailbag.

Patrick, how’s the search for our new general manager going? There’s a name I haven’t heard mentioned, but I think it would be good. How about Kim Ng? She built a Marlins team that made the playoffs. The Marlins! I think she would do wonders here.

— Marshall, Parker

Marshall, the Rockies are narrowing their list of finalists for the head of baseball operations. That process could be finished by the end of this week, and I believe the team will announce its new front office leader by the end of October.

As I noted in my Sunday story about the Rockies’ challenges, the clock is ticking. Free agency begins the day after the World Series ends, and the general managers’ meetings take place on Nov. 10-13 in Las Vegas.

Ng is not in the running for the Rockies’ job. She already has a big job. In April, she was named the She oversaw the league’s expansion this summer.

Ng, 56, was the first female general manager in major men’s North American sports. She ran baseball operations for the Marlins from 2020 to 2023.

Rockies’ Walker Monfort faces ‘monumental decisions’ with front office rebuild

Hi Patrick, we always hear Dick Monfort say that there are unique difficulties playing at altitude. If I were reading between the lines, he is telling us that is why he does not like to hire outside people. I wonder if he has heard the adage, "There is more than one way to skin a cat." I know the odds are low that he might, just might, hire someone from the outside. But does he ever think that there could be others out there who have ideas of how to make the Rockies a contender year in and year out? My next question: Monfort always says he is loyal to a fault, but would an outsider question just how much control they have? Would they constantly look over their shoulder to see if he's second-guessing their decisions?

-- Del, Lamar

Del, first of all, Monfort isn't off base when he talks about the difficulties of playing major league baseball at altitude. It's a massive challenge for whoever is in charge of the front office. However, the challenge has turned into an excuse for a franchise that's been running in place for years and lost its way. Monfort should have made significant front office changes four years ago.

Rockies’ rebuilt front office will include ‘chief revenue and strategy officer,’ source says

But this time, I do believe the Rockies will hire from outside the walls of 20th and Blake. They have no choice because what's been going on for the last three years is embarrassing. Both Dick Monfort and his son, Walker, the executive vice president, are aware of that.

Who the Rockies hire will tell us a lot, but if it's a talented person like former Astros GM James Click, the Monforts must give the new hire genuine autonomy. If they don't, the most qualified candidates will not accept the job.

Is Warren Schaeffer coming back as manager next year?

-- Ryan K., Castle Rock

I don't know, and neither does Schaeffer. I've stayed in touch with him since the end of the season, and he's repeatedly told me that he won't know anything until the Rockies hire a new head of baseball operations. When that happens, Schaeffer hopes to at least be granted an interview. From what I understand, the new GM/president of baseball operations will be given the authority to hire a field manager.

Near the end of the season, I wrote that Schaeffer deserved a chance to manage the team in 2026. Given his knowledge of the team, his attention to detail, and the fact that the Rockies are years away from contending, Schaeffer would be a good fit as the team grows. We'll see what happens.

Do Denver’s professional sports teams ever collaborate on strategies for being successful at altitude? I understand that the effects of altitude are different on baseball than other sports. Still, with the Broncos, Nuggets and Avs all figuring out how to win a championship at altitude, maybe the Rockies could learn something from them. It����ap a barrier that needs to be overcome, but lately, all it����ap been is an excuse for not winning. Either they figure out strategies to win at altitude, or they need to throw in the towel and admit winning in Denver just isn’t possible.

-- Eric, Sioux Falls, S.D.

Eric, I don't know if the local pro sports teams share tips about competing at altitude. Still, it wouldn't surprise me if the four training and medical staffs shared information about hydration, nutrition, sleep habits, etc. But the altitude issues facing the Rockies -- particularly figuring out how to pitch effectively at altitude -- have very little to do with staying in shape at altitude.

Hey Patrick! What do you think the rotation will look like in 2026? I see Kyle Freeland and Tanner Gordon with guaranteed spots. As well as Chase Dollander -- if he can figure himself out in the offseason. Then it's a lot of question marks. It'd be fantastic if Ryan Feltner can bounce back from his injury. Thoughts?

-- Mark, Arvada

Mark, the biggest impediment to the Rockies' improvement next season is their starting pitching. How could it not be? The 2025 starting rotation, with a 6.65 ERA, was statistically the worst in baseball’s modern era (since 1901).

Regarding '26, you're right about Freeland and Gordon; they appear to be locks. McCade Brown showed flashes of talent, but he's got to convince the Rockies that he's a legitimate major league starter. I predicted that Feltner would be Colorado's best starter in 2025, but back and shoulder injuries wiped out his season. He needs to get healthy and stronger this offseason. At this point, Feltner remains a huge question mark for 2026 and beyond.

Dollander, clearly, has talent, but his rookie season was a huge disappointment, especially at Coors Field, where he was 2-6 with a 9.98 ERA and 1.978 WHIP over 11 starts. Dollander needs to figure out how to utilize his talents. The door is open for prospects Gabriel Hughes and lefty Sean Sullivan to compete for the rotation during spring training.

But let's face it, the Rockies don't have anyone close to being a true ace, or even a true No. 1 starter right now. One of the first tasks for the new front office boss should be to seek a trade to acquire a solid, veteran starting pitcher. Not a star, just someone to provide decent innings as the young pitchers figure things out.

Rockies Journal: Seven years after Colorado’s last playoff game vs Milwaukee, club still has much to learn from Brew Crew

What, if any, role will Kris Bryant have with us next year? He played 11 games last year and has looked washed up for several seasons. Can we just release him and eat the contract, so we can at least have an extra roster spot?

And who do you think will have a breakout year in 2026? Thanks!

-- Owen G., Kansas City, Mo.

In my opinion, Owen, Bryant won't play major league baseball again because of his chronic lower back condition. But the Rockies still owe him $81 million over the next three seasons. Since he's been on the 60-day IL, he's not taking up a roster spot, but the Rockies should find a solution, if they can. From what I have been told, the best outcome would be for Bryant to retire and then work out a plan with the Rockies to defer the remainder of his contract over several years. I'm not sure that's realistic.

Breakout season in '26? Hmm ... without knowing who might break through during spring training, I'll go with third baseman Kyle Karros. He already looks like a plus defender, and although he had a subpar slash line -- .226/.308/.277 over 43 games -- I believe Karros has the tools to be a solid big-league third baseman.

Pose a Rockies- or MLB-related question for the Rockies Mailbag.

How much offseason housecleaning needs to be done to the Rockies’ organization?

— Ed Helinski, Auburn, N.Y.

Ed, the short answer is a lot, but there is more to it than that. The Rockies should absolutely review every part of their baseball operations. If they haven’t begun that task already, they’d better get busy.

I’m convinced that the Rockies will hire a new president of baseball operations and/or a general manager. Very soon. I’m hoping that person will come from outside the organization and will be given autonomy to build their own front office. If not, what’s the point?

Rockies GM Bill Schmidt steps down as team looks for new direction after dreadful season

That said, it would make no sense to eliminate everyone. The organization has many talented people, and some of them need to be retained to provide institutional knowledge and serve as a bridge of continuity.

Finally, a new front office leader needs to be given the authority and the money to hire more coaches and analysts at all levels of the organization.

When Walker Monfort -- son of Dick Monfort, the principal owner -- was promoted to executive vice president in late June, Walker said changes were forthcoming.

“Ultimately, we’re open to anything, and I think that����ap where I want to keep it,” he said at the time. "I think we’re open to whatever it takes to make the Colorado Rockies better. But I would say it����ap really about maximizing our resources, right? And if we don’t have the right resources in place, we should figure out a way to get the right resources in place. That����ap not just from a staffing perspective, it����ap really everything.”

The key phrase here is "maximize our resources." I'll be curious to see how that plays out.

With the season grinding to a painful end, if you were a betting man, what are the odds that Monfort will make earth-shattering changes? I am talking about the front office, president, new GM, new analytics, letting others make baseball decisions, etc.

-- Del, Lamar

Del, as I write this, I'm waiting for the Rockies to make significant changes. I thought they would happen on Monday, the day after the season ended. That didn't happen, but changes are coming, and I believe that Bill Schmidt will be out as general manager. As for "earth-shattering changes," I wouldn't place a bet because I don't know how much power owner Dick Monfort is willing to give up. We'll know soon.

Rockies’ front office change: Five possible candidates to replace GM Bill Schmidt

Hey Patrick. I didn't think the Rockies would be THIS BAD, but here we are. Of course, the starting pitching is horrendous, and the Rockies won't be able to address that with free agents, so hopefully some of the prospects take a step up next year. The Rockies just can't seem to figure out second base for a good five or six years now, so why not go after potential infield free agents Nico Hoerner or Luis Arraez? These guys would not bust the bank, hit for average and put the ball in play, something the Rockies need more of. A four- or five-year deal could let the Rockies move some of their other infield prospects and fix the rotating hole we've had there since Brendan Rodgers didn't live up to expectations.

-- Chip, Denver

Chip, you bring up some excellent points.

No. 1, you're right that the Rockies can't sign quality free-agent pitchers. They don't want to come to Colorado and pitch at altitude; we all know that. That said, the club's 2026 rotation will lack depth and will be woefully inexperienced. The Rockies need to sign a workmanlike starter to a one-year deal, just for the sake of some stability and to save the bullpen.

They should also bundle some of their outfield prospects and perhaps a veteran player for some young pitchers.

Second base, just like first base, has become a black hole for Colorado. Perhaps Tyler Freeman will be the answer, at least for 2026. But he profiles more as a super-utility player. I don't think the Rockies will be signing anybody to four- or five-year deals this offseason, but a left-handed-hitting second baseman would be a solid acquisition. Arraz might fill that role, but I don't think the Rockies could afford him. Plus, he's said he wants to return to the Padres. Hoerner is under contract with the Cubs through 2026.

Hey Patrick, I realize that the Rockies' fanbase has just about had it with ownership and its complete incompetence in managing a Major League Baseball team. One thing that Dick Monfort can do well is sell beer and continue to make a fortune at the fans' expense. Hopefully, one day the fanbase will stop renewing its season tickets and Monfort will finally go outside of HIS organization and find someone that can tell him "NO" and not be his "Yes" man.

All right, I'm done venting. Now, the question I have is this: Do you think the fanbase is aware of how close the Rockies are to the worst record over a three-year span? I'm sure they are really close to being the worst ever in a four-year span.

I really appreciate your coverage of this discombobulated franchise with professionalism and tact, especially when listening to the Rockies brass make total fools of the fan base.

Have a good offseason!

-- Tom, Littleton

Tom, I hope the fans are aware of the Rockies' three-year run of futility. If not, they need to read the package that Kyle Newman and I put together for The Denver Post last Sunday. We included a wide range of statistics, including where the Rockies rank among the MLB's worst three-year runs.

OK, a bit premature, maybe, but Day 2 after the offseason and still no breaking news headlines that Bill Schmidt has been fired, etc. What gives? How idiotic and obtuse are the Monforts? You'd think for optics alone, they would at least reassign him if nothing else.

-- JC, Denver

JC, you are a bit premature. As I mentioned in a previous response, I believe some significant changes are coming soon. However, I'm surprised the club has not made an announcement yet. Other teams have fired managers, announced they are firing or retaining GMs. Actually, I don't know why the Rockies didn't instigate changes back in July.

How do the Rockies view Mickey Moniak at this point? While he has had a nice season, he really doesn’t hit lefties, and he feels more like a nice fourth outfielder than a core piece moving forward.

-- Dave Black, Highlands Ranch

Dave, on a really good team, Moniak profiles as a fourth outfielder. For the Rockies, he'll see a lot of starting time next season. Currently, he is a key player because the Rockies lack alternatives to play right field and serve as Brenton Doyle's backup in center. Moniak had a good season, slashing .270/.306/.518 with 24 homers, 20 doubles, and eight triples. He had a 115 OPS+. I think he's a valuable player for the Rockies right now.

Patrick, what is the first thing a new Rockies GM should address on day one? How do they change the culture and truly become a draft-and-development organization that wins playoff games? Thank you.

-- Steve, Aurora

Wow, Steve, that's a tricky question. And a huge question. Let me say that the first thing that needs to be done is to evaluate the front office and the coaches at all levels. Hopefully, some of that work has already been done. Then, the new GM (or team president) should bring in the coaches and analytics people they want. Shuffling the big-league roster is not Job 1 right now. That's down the list.