The Rockies’ rebuild under Paul DePodesta, the new president of baseball operations, begins in earnest on Monday at baseball’s general managers’ meetings in Las Vegas. DePodesta faces a long to-do list. Here are the most important items on his docket:
• Construct his front office, which includes hiring a general manager and reshaping the scouting and analytics departments, at least to some extent.
• Hire a manager, be it Warren Schaeffer or someone new. There is a chance that Schaeffer, who finished the 2025 season as the interim manager, could also return as the Rockies’ bench coach.
• Begin to fix the rotation, which finished with the highest starter ERA (6.65) since the stat became official in 1913. Most likely, DePodesta will have to make some trades to accomplish this.
• Begin exploring the free-agent market, though it’s doubtful the Rockies will sign any high-impact players.
• Review the Rockies’ minor league system and see what changes need to be made regarding personnel and teaching approaches.
• Beef up the analytics department, depending on how much money he’s allowed.
• Make decisions on the following arbitration-eligible players: Right-handed starter Ryan Feltner, outfielders Brenton Doyle, Mickey Moniak and Tyler Freeman, and righty late-game reliever Jimmy Herget. Teams must decide whether to tender contract offers to arbitration-eligible players by Nov. 21.
• Decide who will be added to or left off the 40-man roster. The players eligible for the roster are right-handers Gabriel Hughes, Yujanyer Herrera (missed 2025 after Tommy John surgery) and Jordy Vargas (also coming off Tommy John surgery), lefty relievers Welinton Herrera and Sam Weatherly, and outfielders Sterlin Thompson and Benny Montgomery. The date to add players to the 40-man roster is Nov. 18. Players left unprotected become eligible to be selected in the Rule 5 Draft during December’s winter meetings.
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