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.
We have several questions regarding the future of Rockies manager Bud Black, who does not have a contract for the 2025 season and has deflected direct questions about whether or not he will return for another year. The Rockies have said that a decision will likely come next week.
Greetings, Patrick. Thank you for your insight during another tough season. With the retirement and loss of leadership from Charlie Blackmon, what is Bud Black’s reason to return as manager? Losing another 100 games has to weigh on his psyche. He isn’t responsible for the talent he is provided. A manager in baseball doesn’t scheme or substitutes like NFL or NBA coaches. Maybe a better GM or scouts could provide talent to compete with the Dodgers, Braves, Phillies or Padres. Cheers!
— Robert Emmerling, Limon
Robert, thanks for reading my Rockies coverage. It’s appreciated.
You’re correct when you say that the losses weighed on Black, who’s now 67. However, he’s an incredibly positive person, and that serves him well.
There are several reasons why Black might return for his ninth season as manager. First, I don’t believe he’s ready to step away from the game. He loves the day-to-day job of being a manager. That said, I could see him taking on a front-office role.
Second, Black likes the teaching aspect of being a manager and is excited about the system’s young pitchers. He wants a chance to help mold them at the big-league level.
Third, I believe Black would hate to go out on the back of two 100-loss seasons.
Regarding Blackmon’s retirement, I don’t believe that’s a major factor in Black’s decision.
You’re correct that the front office has not supplied Black with enough talent to win. That’s especially true with the Rockies’ underwhelming offense.
Finally, I have talked to several veteran players about Black’s future. They told me that Black still has the players’ respect and is well-liked. However, a couple of players told me that a new, fresh voice would be good for the team.
Any thoughts on Bobby Meacham finally getting a chance to helm this team with no word on Bud Black’s contract extension? I loved seeing what he did at Double-A Hartford winning manager of the year and I find it hard to believe anyone has a better overall resume. I know it would be his first time managing in the big leagues, but he knows these young guys, knows the organization and clearly had buy-in from his Hartford team. I think he’s the right guy for the job in the event Buddy doesn’t return.
— Colton Lohmann, Denver
Colton, that’s an intriguing idea. You’re correct, Meacham did a great job with the Yard Goats. Plus, his connection with talented, young players at Hartford would be a plus.
Having said that, the Rockies also like third base/infield coach Warren Schaeffer, who used to manage at Triple-A Albuquerque.
Regarding Black’s status, a couple of people close to the manager have told me that Black expects to return. However, the fact that the Rockies are delaying an announcement, as well as Black’s reluctance to talk about the situation, makes me wonder if he is coming back.
Black is usually very open with me about most things regarding the team, but he has been elusive about his future with Colorado. Perhaps a shakeup is in store for the staff and front office, which could be part of the reason for the delay.
Would Charlie Blackmon be a possibility as the next Rockies manager? So, Blackmon taking over for Bud Black. Bold, but smart move?
— Robert Pape, Denver
Robert, I never even thought about it until you asked the question. While Blackmon says he wants to remain involved with the Rockies, he doesn’t want to have a day-to-day role. He has no interest in being a manager or a full-time coach.
Who gets your vote for Rockies MVP? And better yet, why?
— Ed Helinski, Auburn, N.Y.
Ed, I’m sure you’re not surprised when I tell you it’s shortstop Ezequiel Tovar.
At one point, it was a two-man race between Tovar and center fielder Brenton Doyle, but Doyle cooled off in the final month of the season while Tovar kept raking.
Both players are serious candidates for winning Gold Gloves. I’m sure Doyle will repeat, and I hope Tovar snares his first.
Now, for my reasons why Tovar is the Rockies MVP:
• He shined at a premier defensive position and led the Rockies in batting average (.269), home runs (26), doubles (45), and OPS (.764) (among qualified players).
• Tovar became just the sixth shortstop in major league history to reach 26 home runs during his age 22 season or younger. The others: Corey Seager (2016), Alex Rodríguez (1996, ’98), Cal Ripken Jr. (1983) and Willie Wells (1927).
• He became the seventh player to record 175-plus hits, 45-plus doubles, and 25-plus homers during their age-22-or-younger season, joining Rafael Devers (2019, Boston), Albert Pujols (2001, St. Louis), Álex Rodriguez (1996, Seattle), Cal Ripken Jr. (1983, Baltimore), Jack Clark (1978, San Francisco) and Hal Trosky (1934, Cleveland).
• Tovar had 75 extra-base hits (45 doubles, four triples, 26 home runs), the most by a Rockies player since Trevor Story (78) and Charlie Blackmon (81) in 2019.
Hi Patrick. Thank you for another season of Rockies coverage. My question is about Kris Bryant. If Bryant were to retire due to injury, would the Rockies have to pay the remainder of his guaranteed salary or would this be covered by some sort of insurance policy?
— David Jones, Selsey, West Sussex, England
David, a Rockies fan in West Sussex? Well done, you. (That sounds British, right?)
I was wondering the same thing as you. Here’s what I found:
First of all, I asked Bryant last week if he was considering retiring. He made it clear that he is not.
Secondly, I asked Rockies assistant general manager Zack Rosenthal about Bryant’s contract status. FYI, Rosenthal handles a lot of the contract details for the Rockies.
Rosenthal told me that if Bryant were to retire, the Rockies would not owe him the remaining salary. However, as outlined in the collective bargaining agreement, the MLB Players Association has to officially sign off on a player’s retirement. That is unlikely to happen and retirements in the middle of a contract are very rare in Major League Baseball. By the way, the money Bryant receives is guaranteed.
What is it with so many outfielders leaping over fences to rob home runs these days? You used to only see that a few times a month in MLB.
— Dom, Longmont
Dom, I’m not sure that’s true. Could it be that you’ve seen Rockies center fielder Brenton Doyle do it several times and that’s colored your view?
I will say this: The athleticism in the majors has never been better. We see incredible plays in the infield and outfield on a nightly basis — plays that would have been “plays of the season” or “greatest plays of all time” during the 1940s, ’50s and ’60s.
Patrick, I enjoy reading your insights into the Rockies organization and analysis of the team and players. Since we have the same surname, I have a question: is Rockies pitcher Jeff Criswell related to the Jeff Criswell who played offensive line for the Kansas City Chiefs from 1995 through 1998? They certainly look alike.
— Jim Criswell, Lander, Wyo.
Jim, thanks for the compliment. I checked into your question and it turns out that the father of the Rockies’ Jeff Criswell is named Brian.
Brian pitched at Western Michigan University and played five seasons in Oakland’s minor league system (1984-88) after being drafted in the 1984 draft.
I’ve grown up with the Rockies, so it’s hard not to temper expectations when it comes to bullpen guys but this young talent brought in recently looks promising. Are we seeing the early fruits of the pitching lab here or is this simply a lack of scouting reports on young guys from other teams? If they can continue to have success, the contention window may be nearing quicker than I thought.
— Nathan, Lamar
Nathan, those are excellent questions/points.
As I pointed out in my Rockies Journal a couple of weeks ago, the team now has some real firepower: relievers who can deliver swing-and-miss pitches. I don’t think the pitching lab has very much to do with it. It’s mostly about talent and some smart trades by general manager Bill Schmidt and his team.
However, the bullpen’s success over the last five or six weeks of the season must be tempered by the reality that teams will make adjustments next season. Plus, over the last couple of weeks, we saw some flaws. For example, right-hander Angel Chivilli showed a dynamic changeup, but he still lacks great fastball command to pair with it.
The reliever who really intrigues me is hard-throwing right-hander Seth Halvorsen. His fastball tops 100 mph, and he has excellent command. He posted a 1.46 ERA over 12 games (12 1/3 innings). But, and this is a big but, he has to prove his talent over the long haul.
1. Who’s the next first- or second-year Rockies player to make a Brenton Doyle-style leap? Hunter Goodman, Jordan Beck, Zac Veen, Yanquiel Fernandez, Amael Amador, Drew Romo or a resurgent Nolan Jones?
2. Who’s the next Rockies player you predict will have an OPS over .900? Is he on the active roster? It feels like it has been a very long time since the Rockies had a hitter who truly struck fear in the hearts of pitchers.
— Isaac Bowen, Fort Collins
Isaac, my crystal ball seems to be getting poor reception, but I’ll give it a shot.
First, while I think Zac Veen will finally make his debut next season, I’m going to go with Beck. His slash line of .188/.245/.276 was underwhelming, and he hit just three homers in 170 at-bats. But his hand injury affected him even after he returned. The Rockies love his approach at the plate. Time will tell.
Second, you are absolutely right when you say that the Rockies don’t have a hitter who “strikes fear into the hearts” of pitchers. It’s not just a matter of a .900 OPS (Nolan Jones had a .931 OPS in 2023); it’s a matter of home runs, clutch hits, and consistency. The Rockies don’t have that player on the active roster right now. It was supposed to be Kris Bryant, but he’s never going to be that slugger again.
Is there a chance that Hunter Goodman will jump over Drew Romo as a Rockies catcher? I have not been impressed with Romo’s hitting or arm strength. Thanks for your coverage and have a good offseason.
— Don Story, Dolores
Don, I think it’s clear that Goodman has already supplanted Romo. Heading into next season, the Rockies tandem will likely be Goodman and veteran Jacob Stallings (who has a mutual option). I expect Romo to begin next season at Triple-A Albuquerque.
But it’s way too early to give up on Romo. Despite his funky throws back to the pitcher, he has decent arm strength throwing to the bases. People I have talked to have said that Romo was a bit overwhelmed during his call-up. You have to remember that he went straight from high school baseball to professional baseball and the learning curve for a catcher is especially steep.
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