The Rockies head to Dallas with a game plan, but don’t expect them to make any dramatic deals in the “Big D.”
General manager Bill Schmidt continues to believe that the club — undergoing a youth movement led by shortstop Ezequiel Tovar, center fielder Brenton Doyle and intriguing pitching prospects — is headed in the right direction.
Many others beg to differ. ESPN, for example, has the Rockies ranked dead last in its latest major league power rankings, even behind a White Sox team coming off a 121-loss season. But Schmidt sees a light at the end of the 100-loss tunnel.
At baseball’s Winter Meetings, which begin Monday at the Dallas Hilton Anatole Hotel, Schmidt will continue shopping for a couple of veteran players. If the Rockies make a move, it will cause a ripple rather than a big splash.
Colorado’s conservative wish list includes a veteran reliever and an infielder. However, Schmidt made it clear that he’s not shopping for a closer.
“I read somewhere that we’re looking for a closer,” Schmidt said. “That’s not true. But I’d like a veteran to add some stability to the ‘pen. That’s what I’m looking for.”
The prime candidates for the ninth-inning job are right-handers Tyler Kinley, Seth Halvorsen, Victor Vodnik and lefty Luis Peralta.
The Rockies’ overarching goal this offseason is to build a better bench.
“I want to do that to allow (manager) Buddy (Black) to rest guys more,” Schmidt said. “We want our starting guys to be fresher.”
Specifically, Schmidt would like to get third baseman Ryan McMahon, Tovar, and Doyle “off their feet more.” The Rockies hung on to Sam Hilliard and let go of Jake Cave because Hilliard can play center field from time to time and give Doyle a break. In those instances, Doyle could be used as a designated hitter to keep him in the lineup.
Last month, the Rockies, who are cutting their payroll for the 2025 season, did not offer contracts to second baseman Brendan Rodgers and starting pitcher Cal Quantrill. The club added veteran utility infielder Kyle Farmer, who will not be limited to second base duties.
“Farmer gives us some depth and versatility,” Schmidt said. “He can play third, short and second. He could even catch in an emergency.”
The Rockies still see 21-year-old Adael Amadore as their second baseman of the future, and are also intrigued by Ryan Ritter, who’s starting to make the adjustment from shortstop to second. Neither player is ready to fill Rodgers’ shoes unless they show dramatic improvement in the spring.
“I’m not looking to block those guys because if a couple of months into the season we see that they’re ready, then they could be moved up,” Schmidt said.
As for starting pitching, Schmidt believes the Rockies have more quality depth than they’ve had in years. Lefties Kyle Freeland and Austin Gomber and right-handers German Marquez, Ryan Feltner and Antonio Senzatela are projected to form the core of the rotation heading into spring training. However, Schmidt is not ruling out prospects Chase Dollander, Carson Palmquist and Sean Sullivan forcing their way into the mix.
“We are a lot closer, with our young guys, than we were a year ago,” Schmidt said. “If Dollander, Palmquist or Sullivan show they are ready and they’re better than one of our (current) five, then we’ll move one of the guys to the bullpen.”
Finally, the Rockies remain hopeful that designated hitter/right fielder Kris Bryant, the team’s highest-paid player with a $27 million salary for 2025, will overcome his chronic back problems and stay on the field.
“From what I’ve been told from ‘Doogie’ (head trainer Keith Dugger), Kris hasn’t shut down his workouts,” Schmidt said. “So far, so good from what I have been told. Getting him on the field will be the big thing.”
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The plan is for Bryant to be the primary DH and get some playing time in right field. But if he can’t stay healthy, the door of opportunity opens wider for outfield prospects Zac Veen, Yanquiel Fernandez, Sterlin Thompson and Benny Montgomery.
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