Paul DePodesta’s first full offseason in charge of the Rockies is here, and the message out of Colorado is simple: he’s ready to move.
After a 58-104 season that ended with a 4-2 loss to the Chicago White Sox, Colorado is staring at its fourth straight 100-loss year. That kind of finish usually brings urgency, and DePodesta made clear the club plans to treat this winter that way.
“We'll be ready,” DePodesta said. “We obviously, unfortunately, have some time here in October to focus on it.”
The key word there is ready. DePodesta, who didn’t take over until November 6 last year, spent his first season building out the front office and coaching staff while also trying to sort through a team that went 43-119. Now he says the Rockies have a much better handle on what they need.
“After living through this for a year, we have a very good direction on what it is we feel we need,” DePodesta told Harding. “So we'll certainly be ready to act early this offseason if need be.”
That kind of early action figures to come in the form of trades, waiver claims and minor-league free agents, because nobody around the Rockies is expecting a sudden spending spree. This is still a club that has to find value wherever it can.
And there were some signs of that approach working in DePodesta’s first year. Before the 2026 season, Colorado brought in Jake McCarthy and TJ Rumfield in trades, and both became important pieces in the lineup. The club also added Mason Adams, Connor Norby, Mark Manfredi and Nick Frasso at the trade deadline.
The offense took a step forward, too. Colorado scored 752 runs, its highest total since 2019, and finished in the top seven in the National League in batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage and OPS.
But the glaring problem was impossible to ignore. Pitching sank the season.
The Rockies’ starters finished last in the majors with a 6.28 ERA and 555 strikeouts. Opponents hit .303 against them, and the staff posted a 1.58 WHIP. That’s where the real work begins, and it’s why finding starting pitching has to be the top priority this winter.
Kyle Freeland and Tomoyuki Sugano are set to become free agents, which only adds to the uncertainty. Adams and Gabriel Hughes could be part of the picture, and Chase Dollander should return at some point, but Colorado clearly needs more depth and more experience on the mound.
There were bright spots in the lineup. Hunter Goodman has settled in as one of the National League’s premier power hitters.
Rumfield and Cole Carrigg made strong first impressions in their rookie year. McCarthy has locked down a spot at the top of the order, and Kyle Karros also carved out an important role.
The progress is real, even if the record still stings. Colorado won 15 more games than it did in 2025, but 104 losses is 104 losses.
DePodesta has now had a full year to evaluate what works, what doesn’t, and where this organization is headed. The next step is the hard part.