With Bill Schmidt stepping down as general manager for the Colorado Rockies, a search now begins for his replacement.

“We are setting our sights on finding the right leader from outside our organization who can bring a fresh perspective to the Rockies and enhance our baseball operations with a new vision, innovation, and a focus on both short and long-term success,” vice president Walker Monfort said Wednesday. “This change delivers an opportunity to shape the future of our club and move forward into a new era of Rockies baseball.”

If the Rockies are truly going to look elsewhere for the right leader to help them break out of the National League West cellar, here are three potential external candidates:

1. Thad Levine, Minnesota Twins former general manager and senior vice president

Age: 53

Resume: Levine was a part of Colorado’s front office from 1999 to 2005 before becoming assistant GM with the Texas Rangers. He was also the general manager and senior vice president of the Minnesota Twins, departing that position after the 2024 season.

Why it would work in Colorado: Levine has a knowledge of what it takes to build a team in Colorado. He’s also had the experience of working with other franchises, meaning he could bring in their best practices as well.

Why it wouldn’t work in Colorado: Levine has had the experience of working in data-driven, forward-thinking front offices in Texas and Minnesota. Would he be willing to help the Rockies build up to the standards of other MLB teams — and would Rockies ownership allow that to happen?

FILE – Minnesota Twins general manager Thad Levine answers a question during a baseball news conference, Oct.2, 2018, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone, File)

2. Andy McKay, Seattle Mariners vice president and assistant general manager

Age: 54

Resume: McKay was the peak performance coordinator for the Rockies’ minor league system for three seasons and was praised by former Rockies pitchers Jon Gray, Tyler Matzek and others for his work. He then was hired by Seattle, where he has moved up the ladder under former Rockies relief pitcher (and current Seattle general manager and president of baseball operations) Jerry Dipoto.

Why it would work in Colorado: McKay was one of Dipoto’s first hires in Seattle and has worked in multiple positions with the Mariners, including director of player development to assistant general manager. He’s familiar with the various levels of an organization and could bring Seattle’s recent winning attitude to Colorado.

Why it wouldn’t work in Colorado: The Mariners are on a hot streak, winning the AL West for the first time since 2001. Leaving the Pacific Northwest on that note to take over a Rockies operation that requires a ton of work to reach Seattle’s level could be viewed as either a challenge or a red flag.

3. Dayton Moore, Texas Rangers senior advisor of baseball operations

Age: 58

Resume: Moore joined the Kansas City Royals as general manager in May 2006, also serving as president of baseball operations before leaving the organization in September 2022. At that time, he was the third-longest tenured chief baseball executive in MLB. Kansas City lost more than 100 games in three consecutive seasons from 2004-06 but went on to win back-to-back American League pennants in 2014 and 2015.

Why it would work in Colorado: Moore has already seen what it takes to win in a smaller market and is renowned in the industry. He also has a heavy background in scouting, spending 13 seasons with the Atlanta Braves in scouting and player development roles before his promotion to director of player personnel in 2002. The Braves won 14 consecutive division titles from 1991 to 2005.

Why it wouldn’t work in Colorado: Among the criticisms for Moore is that he tends to cling to veterans and make questionable free-agent signings. That may sound too much like Jeff Bridich and Bill Schmidt if the Rockies are truly looking for major change.

Former Kansas City Royals general manager Dayton Moore speaks during the Royals Hall of Fame induction ceremony for former manager Ned Yost before a baseball game between the Kansas City Royals and the Boston Red Sox, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)