The Rockies are heading into a winter that could shape the next step of Paul DePodesta’s rebuild, and the biggest lesson from the 2026 season is pretty clear: Colorado finally has some pieces worth building around, so rushing into moves for the sake of movement would be the wrong play.
Even after a fourth straight 100-loss season, there were signs of progress in DePodesta’s first year as president of baseball operations. Some of the younger players did enough to establish themselves as part of what manager Warren Schaeffer could eventually lean on as the club’s next core. TJ Rumfield, Cole Carrigg, and Kyle Karros were among the young names who stepped forward.
At the same time, the Rockies still need more help. The veterans added last season produced mixed results, and a few of those moves simply didn’t work. Right-handed pitcher Michael Lorenzen was the clearest miss, Jose Quintana dealt with injuries, and former Baltimore Orioles right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano wound up as the ace of the staff.
That mix leaves Colorado with a familiar offseason task: keep adding experience, especially in the rotation and among everyday players, while trying to avoid clogging the roster with the wrong bets. The Rockies probably aren’t going to land one of the marquee free agents, but there are realistic names they could chase, including pitcher Dustin May, outfielder Taylor Ward, and perhaps even Sugano again.
There’s also the Hunter Goodman question hanging over everything. Trade rumors have followed the catcher, but the case for keeping him is strong.
Power-hitting catchers are not easy to find, and Colorado already has one of the best ones in MLB. DePodesta could absolutely bring back a major return if he chose to deal him, but the better move may be patience, especially if there isn’t a ready-made backup plan in place.
If Colorado does eventually decide to move Goodman, the timing matters. Teams like the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox would be willing to push the price higher, and both have a history of outbidding each other when a player like this is available.
For now, the Rockies have more reason for optimism than they did a year ago. They made some positive strides in 2026, and they’ve got a direction in place. That makes this a big offseason in the Mile High City, one where DePodesta would be wise to resist the temptation to force a move just to say something got done.
In Other News...
Rockies Prospect Is Giving Fans A Reason To Dream Again
Cristian Arguelles has given the Rockies a little something to lean on in the lower levels, where any hint of a long-term middle-of-the-order bat tends to stand out fast. The organizations No. 5 prospect has already shown real hitting ability in his early career, moving from a strong showing in the Dominican Summer League to a standout run in the Arizona Complex League, and the 19-year-old is now focused on sharpening the details that matter most as he climbs.
What makes Arguelles interesting is how deliberate the approach already looks. He is working on refining his swing and building strength while moving through the minor leagues, with instructional programs next and a possible step up to High-A Spokane on the horizon. There is some familiar Rockies DNA in the way he thinks about his swing, but for now the emphasis is on controlled contact, steady adjustments and keeping the progress going long enough for the next level to come into view. [Read more 🡒]