Denver Post sports writer Patrick Saunders with the latest installment of his Rockies Mailbag.
Pose a Rockies- or MLB-related question for the Rockies Mailbag.
Patrick, I am tired of seeing the Dodgers spend all this money and have millions deferred. Will that money eventually hit them on the luxury tax side of things? I would love to see revenue sharing and some form of a salary cap. We know it will never happen, but I would like your thoughts on how the Rockies can compete with the big dogs in MLB.
— Rip, Aurora
Rip, you’ve got to hand it to the big-spending Dodgers: They know how to play the financial game. Eventually, they will have to pay the so-called luxury tax, but they have found loopholes in the collective bargaining agreement. Let’s face it: Major League Baseball is an uneven playing field.
If you want an excellent breakdown of how the Dodgers’ are winning their version of “Money Ball,” read this story by ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez.
He notes that Blake Snell’s contract represents the Dodgers’ fourth nine-figure addition in less than 12 months, occurring one offseason after deals for Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Tyler Glasnow. Tack on Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman and Will Smith, and those are seven nine-figure contracts totaling more than $2 billion in guaranteed money on one roster — nearly half of which is deferred through 2046.
The Rockies’ only chance is to model themselves after smart mid- and small-market teams like the Brewers, Royals, Tigers and Guardians. They need to draft smart, develop players better, make wise free-agent moves and make some savvy trades. Clearly, back-to-back 100-loss seasons illustrate that they haven’t done that.
The window to win for teams like the Rockies is not open very long, so success will be cyclical. For the Dodgers, the window is always wide open.
One final thought: It sure wouldn’t hurt the Rockies if Major League Baseball radically realigned the divisions and removed them from the NL West.
If (or when) MLB expands to 32 teams, there has been talk of realignment.
Greetings and Happy Holidays to you. After seeing the Dodgers get early Christmas presents in Blake Snell and Tommy Edman (really…), what free agents should the Rockies target? What workhorse starting pitchers could handle the altitude in Colorado? We enjoy your prep and college coverage this fall and winter.
— Robert Emmerling, Limon
Hey Robert, happy holidays to you, too. I hate to break it to you, but the Rockies are pretty much done with their free-agent shopping. They’ll add a veteran reliever before spring training but will not add a high-impact player via free agency. As for pitching, the Rockies have more talent and depth in their rotation than they’ve had in years — at least on paper. They aren’t going outside the organization for a “workhorse starter.”
Thanks for your kind words about my non-Rockies coverage. I’ve got to say that covering high school sports is a refreshing change of pace.
Do you expect the Rockies to make any trades/signings to make them more competitive now? Or will they rely on young guys slowly progressing?
— Brett Burrows, Grand Junction
Brett, piggybacking on my previous response, Colorado will not make any significant signings this offseason. However, a trade, possibly shipping off one of their outfield prospects, is possible.
But you answered your own question. The Rockies are all-in with their youth movement.
With Zac Veen being added to the 40-man roster this November, how quickly can we expect him to debut in 2025?
— Jimmy, Longmont
Jimmy, that’s an excellent question. I don’t expect Veen to make the big-league team out of spring training because he needs more minor-league at-bats, most likely at Triple-A.
As general manager Bill Schmidt told me during the Winter Meetings: “I saw Zac the other day, and he looked good physically. Like I told him, ‘The key is you’ve got to stay on the field. Dependability is going to be your biggest asset.’ The last couple of years, that hasn’t been the case.”
In 2023, Veen tried playing through an injured left hand that had affected him for much of the 2022 season. After batting .209 in 46 games at Double-A Hartford, he underwent surgery in June 2023. Last season, he started hot at Double-A until back soreness and a jammed thumb wiped out much of his season. He finished the season with a brief stint at Triple-A Albuquerque.
Veen could make the big-league team out of spring training if (and these are big ifs):
• He has a huge camp and shows he’s progressed as a consistent hitter.
• Left fielder Nolan Jones doesn’t rebound from his poor 2024 season, leaving the door open.
• Kris Bryant’s comeback from injury stalls again, leaving another door open.
So, to answer your question, Veen will debut in 2025, but not until after the All-Star break.
Does Aaron Schunk have a chance to be the starting second baseman, or is it Kyle Farmer’s to lose?
— Josh Tobias, Meridian, ID
Josh, you probably submitted your question before the Rockies agreed to a contract with veteran Thairo Estrada as their No. 1 second baseman for 2025. Farmer is a utility infielder. Schunk will have to play his way onto the big-league roster.
Why should I be excited for the team in 2025?
— Alexander Thiel, Aurora
Alexander, given the Rockies’ track record, I understand fans’ skepticism. The club will be better but won’t be a playoff contender, and I doubt it can play .500 baseball. I wouldn’t mind being wrong, but I don’t think I am.
Given that, there are still things (players) to pay attention to in the coming season:
• Center fielder Brenton Doyle is a star in the making. He’s thrilling to watch and is going to get better.
• Ditto for shortstop Ezequiel Tovar, who, like Doyle, is a Gold Glove winner.
• Young Rockies pitchers, including Ryan Feltner and prospects Chase Dollander and Carson Palmquist, will be interesting to watch. Feltner could be Colorado’s best starter.
• First baseman Michael Toglia already fields at a Gold Glove level. If he can cut down on the Ks and continue showing power at the plate, he’ll be fun to watch.
Can you explain Todd Helton’s and Clint Hurdle’s roles in the organization?
— Scott, Arvada
Helton and Hurdle are officially special assistants to general manager Bill Schmidt. They sometimes work together, usually on the road. They primarily work with minor league players, and Hurdle also does some scouting.
Hurdle is much more involved than Helton, who spends a week or so at spring training and then visits the minor league teams a few times during the season.
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