For years, we have been using this part of the “State of the Position” series to advocate for change, and, Reader, this year we got it.
My word, did we get it.
On October 1, former Colorado Rockies manager Bill Schmidt announced that he would be leaving the organization. The move came on the heels of an historically bad 43-119 record in the Rockies’ third consecutive 100-loss season. Although fans would have to wait a month for Walker Monfort to begin making decisions, they would mark a significant break with the past as other coaches and front office personnel left the organization.
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On November 7, Paul DePodesta was announced as the Rockies new president of baseball operations, and a month later, Josh Byrnes was hired as the team’s general manager. There were more front office hires, including Nicky Schmidt, Ian Levin, and Tommy Tanous, but for our purposes here, let’s stay with DePodesta and Byrnes.
Purple Row’s “State of the Position” series is largely evaluative: Where are the Rockies now compared to where they ended the previous season, and how are they positioned going forward?
Right now, the answer is that we don’t know.
The signs seem to be positive: Players are enthusiastic about what’s happening; we see more examples of technology, analytics, and communication in action; and some of the too-early stats are promising. Still, spring training stats mean nothing.
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But based on what we do know, let’s consider where we are.
Paul DePodesta
I won’t belabor DePodesta’s baseball bona fides here because they are well known. I think the biggest question stems from the fact that he spent the last 10 years working for the Cleveland Browns. How effective could a PBO be after missing a decade of baseball?
It’s a fair question.
My initial answer is that DePodesta is a smart person, and he’s said that even though he focused on football, he always had an eye on baseball. In other words, with the right front office staff, he could remediate very quickly. Plus, when DePodesta was hiring staff, he was clear that he wanted to work with colleagues who could fill the gaps in his knowledge. Such a hiring philosophy speaks to pragmatism and a bit of humility. In my experience, both characters play well in terms of being an effective leader.
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He has become a de facto face of the franchise — at least for hardcore fans — and he has embraced that role. From my experience as someone who writes about the team, DePodesta has had more media availabilities since being hired than the previous office did in an entire year — maybe two.
Paul DePodesta and Josh Byrnes look on at Rockies spring training.
The decision to do this serves a number of purposes. First, it’s his job. Second, he’s rebuilding relationships with other organizations, the media, and fans. Third, he’s signaling that it’s a new day at 20th and Blake.
Will it work? No one knows. But DePodesta is laying the groundwork for a rebuild, and although it’s too early to be assigning grades (more on that in a minute), it’s clear that the Rockies front office is a changed place.
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What’s one word Rockies manager Warren Schaeffer would use to describe DePodesta? “Even-keeled.”
At a time of rebuilding, a PBO who can keep things balanced is a clear positive.
Josh Byrnes
For me, the Rockies new general manager is the most interesting hire so far. Everything DePodesta missed during his NFL time in Cleveland, Byrnes was implementing for a Dodgers team that won three World Series in a five-year period.
Josh Byrnes did not leave the Dodgers, who are in the hunt to win a third consecutive World Series, to lose in Colorado. He’s hear to bring winning to Colorado.
The Dodgers are one of the most-advanced teams in MLB, and Byrnes has brought all that knowledge. I’ve written before about “tractability” and “optionality,” two Dodgers concepts that we’re beginning to see play out in Colorado. Similarly, Joelle Milholm has discussed Byrnes’ concept of “maxing out.”
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Ryan Ritter in the outfield? Sure!
Jordan Beck in RF? Absolutely!
Cole Carrigg at shortstop? Let’s do it!
Charlie Condon back at 3B? Of course!
In addition, Byrnes brings with him evaluative skills — he worked extensively with the Dodgers minor-league system — and contacts to players in Asia. By any standard, he is an excellent addition to the Rockies front office.
If any hire in the Rockies organization signals a new day at 20th and Blake, it’s bringing on Byrnes.
He’s a baseball executive with a résumé.
Think about what this front office has done so far.
MLB signings
Trades and acquisitions
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Ryan Rolison (LHP) to the Chicago White Sox for cash considerations
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Jake Brooks (RHP Miami Marlins) for Bradley Blalock (RHP)
Claims
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RJ Petit (RHP & No. 23 PuRP via Rule 5 Draft from the Detroit Tigers)
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Keegan Thompson (RHP Cincinnati Reds)
Notable MiLB signings
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Add to this the fact that the coaching staff is significantly bigger and more data-driven.
It is difficult to overstate just how different this offseason has been in terms of front office and roster changes.
The Rockies are not going to be good in 2026, but they will be better, and the outlines of a plan are becoming clear: a cost-effective Dodgers clone at elevation.
Schaeffer’s word to describe Byrnes? “Savant.”
That’s exactly what the rebuilding Rockies need.
Closing thoughts
One of the things that has irritated me during the winter were those “team grades” that some writers assign. Sure, it’s clickbait designed to elicit just the kind of reaction I’ve provided, but the Rockies consistently earn a “C” of some type.
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And to those authors, I ask this: “What else could the Rockies possibly do for an improved grade?”
They are a very bad team that is years behind other franchises. They have made profound changes very quickly. They are rebuilding from the ground up.
For those writers who clearly do not give evaluations for a living, a “C” means “average.”
I submit to you that what’s happening in Colorado is not “average.” Rather, it is a long-overdue reinvention of a franchise that plays in the most challenging environment in baseball.
Look, I assign grades for a living — not just to drive site traffic. The only reasonable grade for the Colorado Rockies right now is an “Incomplete.”
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No one knows what’s going to happen because it’s just too soon, and DePodesta and Byrnes have only just begun showing their work.
At the end of the season, we’ll be ready to assign grades.
But right now, in nothing else, DePodesta and Byrnes get an “A” for making serious fans care again.
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