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, 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 commissioner of the Athletes Unlimited Softball League. 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’s a barrier that needs to be overcome, but lately, all it’s 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.
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.
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