- Commissioner’s statement on Ventura, Marte
- Ronnie O’Sullivan: Masters champion ‘felt so vulnerable’ in final
- Arron Fletcher Wins 2017 WSOP International Circuit Marrakech Main Event ($140,224)
- Smith challenges Warner to go big in India
- Moncada No. 1 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 2B Prospects list
- Braves land 2 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 2B Prospects list
- Kingery makes MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 2B Prospects list
- New Zealand wrap up 2-0 after Bangladesh implosion
- Mathews, Pradeep, Gunathilaka to return to Sri Lanka
- Elliott hopes for rain for Poli
Rockies ready to go from building to contender
- Updated: November 28, 2016
DENVER — Whether the Rockies can accelerate their path to winning depends on general manager Jeff Bridich, who has solidly built with youth over two seasons.
Colorado promoted Bridich from player development director to GM after the 2014 season, and his most successful moves have been acquiring prospects as the Rockies take baby steps in the wins department, from 68 in ’15 to 75 in ’16.
Of the players filling seven positions on the current daily lineup, just one is manned by a player who is a free agent after the 2017 season: right fielder Carlos Gonzalez. A rotation of pitchers 27-or-younger could end up as one of the best in club history. And all of Bridich’s young acquisitions could contribute this upcoming season.
• Hot Stove Tracker
But the quickest way to go from a building club to a contender immediately, under new manager Bud Black, is for Bridich to score big while filling key holes — first base, where the Rockies’ .745 OPS ranked 22nd in the Majors, and the bullpen, which posted a Majors-worst 5.13 ERA. Bridich’s quest is backed by a pledge from owner Dick Monfort to increase the payroll above last year’s season-ending total of $120,586,400 — a club record.
While anything can happen between now and then, Bridich and the Rockies are gearing up for the annual swap meet/shopping spree — the Winter Meetings from Dec. 4-8.
MLB.com and MLB Network will have wall-to-wall coverage of the 2016 Winter Meetings from the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center outside Washington, D.C. Fans can watch live streaming of all news conferences and manager availability on MLB.com, including the Rule 5 Draft on Dec. 8 at 7 a.m. MT.
For now, before any arbitration-eligible players or new acquisitions, the Rockies have $66 million committed to seven players. The largest amount dedicated is $22 million for Mets infielder Jose Reyes, whom the Rockies released last season.
Here’s a …
