5 questions the Rockies must resolve this offseason

This story was excerpted from Thomas Harding's Rockies Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

DENVER -- The Rockies' record in 2023 and '24 was pretty much the same, with this year’s 61-101 mark representing a mere two-game improvement. But for the first time since the cast that went to the postseason in 2017 and '18 was disassembled in trades and free-agent exits, Colorado is no longer forecasting another uncompetitive season.

This time, as the Rockies watch postseason teams that also went through growing pains over the past few seasons, the standards for progress are higher. The Royals, for example, lost 106 games last year. Two seasons ago, the Tigers had 96 losses. Yet, both teams are featured in American League Division Series contests today.

Those turnarounds were fueled by homegrown players -- 16 for the Tigers and 15 for the Royals. The Rockies look similar, and they’re excited about it.

Colorado played its best baseball from the All-Star break through the third week of September, as the lineup and bullpen turned over to youth. By next spring, the starting staff should be healed from two years of Tommy John surgery and other maladies. More hitting and pitching prospects are on the horizon.

The rise of the Royals and Tigers was somewhat unexpected, and it would be hard to predict the same fate for the Rockies. Still, they see a route to surprises in 2025.

“Our talent base is getting better,” general manager Bill Schmidt said. “Our depth is getting better. I’m not going to say we’re going from this year to win 95 next year. Our record this year might be similar [to 2023], but we’re going to be a better club [in '25].”

Manager Bud Black, whose one-year contract extension for a ninth season running the club was announced on Tuesday, said, “Kansas City? Detroit? Anything is possible. When I got here in '17, what happened in '16? [a 75-87 record under Walt Weiss.] And we made the playoffs.

“I’m going to say yes. I’m optimistic.”

Here are five questions that must be answered before the Rockies report to Spring Training.

1. Can they improve the lineup?
The Rockies' strikeout-prone lineup, which ranked at the bottom of the National League in that category for the second straight year, will require at least a couple of hitters who consistently make contact.

The Rockies had four 20-homer players, but only shortstop Ezequiel Tovar slugged enough (26 home runs and 75 extra-base hits -- the second-best mark in the NL) to counterbalance the whiffs. Still, he must work to be more disciplined than his 200 strikeouts in 2024.

In a breakout 2024, center fielder Brenton Doyle lowered his strikeout rate from his rookie campaign in '23.

But it helps to have hitters who have done it consistently, and Colorado won’t have Charlie Blackmon, who retired after spending his 14-season career with the Rockies.

All will improve if Kris Bryant can stay healthy, which has been a frustrating journey.

2. How can they acquire contact hitters?
The Rockies are contemplating redistributing payroll. That means making tough decisions on some of the players who are in line for jumps in their final year of arbitration.

Righty Cal Quantrill, who made $6.55 million in 2024, is more likely to be moved than lefty Austin Gomber, who made $3.15 million. The other possibly available player is 2022 Gold Glover Brendan Rodgers, who made $3.2 million this past season.

The Rockies are loath to give up a starter, and Rodgers is a key part of one of the game’s best defenses, but strong teams make tough decisions.

Some clubs covet Ryan McMahon, who is owed $44 million over the next three seasons. But the Rockies’ long-held preference to identify and hold on to core players makes a deal difficult.

3. Who will improve during the offseason?
The Rockies largely held on to their coaching staff. Assistant hitting coach P.J. Pilittere and bullpen coach Reid Cornelius are the only two members who won't return next year. That leaves in place the strategy of hitting coach Hensley Meulens and pitching coach Darryl Scott.

That means continuity not only for young hitters like Tovar and Doyle (who was Meulens’ prized pupil last winter), but also for players like Michael Toglia (who needs to trim his whiff rate despite hitting 25 homers in 2024) and Nolan Jones (who struggled after a strong 2023). That stability should also benefit rookies such as Hunter Goodman and Jordan Beck.

Scott should have in his staff lefties Kyle Freeland and Gomber (who finished the year healthy after some ailments earlier in the season), righties Germán Márquez and Antonio Senzatela (both of whom had Tommy John surgery last season) and righty Ryan Feltner (who had his 2023 largely wiped out by a fractured skull but finished '24 in promising fashion). Beyond that, more pitchers are on the radar.

4. Will they prioritize experience in the bullpen?
Righty Victor Vodnik earned a job out of Spring Training and made an impact as a setup man and closer. By season’s end, rookies Angel Chivilli, Luis Peralta, Jeff Criswell, Jaden Hill and Seth Halvorsen also made impressions.

But Justin Lawrence and Jake Bird, stalwarts in their first full season in 2023, struggled through injuries and command in '24. Bullpens tend to be fickle, and relievers with less experience can be fall-off risks.

Righty Tyler Kinley is expected to return as a veteran leader, provided the stress reaction in his throwing elbow heals properly. But the bullpen could use a vet, preferably with closing experience, and a veteran lefty to pair with Peralta.

5. Can they sharpen the edges of the roster?
Lower-profile moves can make all the difference. While Jake Cave, acquired for cash considerations from the Phillies late in Spring Training, was the utility outfielder most of the season, he was outperformed late by Sam Hilliard (.812 OPS in 58 games), a waiver claim during Spring Training.

Recent years have seen the Rockies rarely score on unheralded moves -- with pitching or position players -- that may save payroll and allow development time for prospects.