For the first time in years, there is actually a reason for Rockies fans to look forward to the Winter Meetings.
With a new president of baseball operations and a new general manager, both of whom are from outside the organization, there is real hope for change. After years of a stagnant, insular, and innovation-lacking, losing culture, hopefully the 2025 Winter Meetings will mark the beginning of a new era: one that means a new plan for drafting a developing, more incorporation of analytics to join the times, finding players — pitchers and hitters — who can thrive at Coors Field, and developing an identity that puts Colorado back on the path toward winning baseball.
It won’t happen overnight and there may not even be monumental news that comes out of the Winter Meetings, which take place Dec. 8-10, as well as some related events on Dec. 7, in Orlando. However, it’s still the first chance for the Rockies to re-introduce themselves to the MLB world without Bill Schmidt. It’s the first test for PBO Paul DePodesta, GM Josh Byrnes and EVP Walker Monfort.
With the action starting Monday, here’s a preview of the schedule and goals for the new Rockies brass at this year’s Winter Meetings.
Sunday, Dec. 7 — MLB Network will begin its 20 hours of live coverage of the event at 5 p.m. MT. At 5:30 p.m., the National Baseball Hall of Fame’s Contemporary Baseball Era Committee ballot results will be released. The list includes a former Rockie (for 26 games anyway) in Dale Murphy, as well as Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Carlos Delgado, Jeff Kent, Don Mattingly, Gary Sheffield and Fernando Valenzuela.
Monday, Dec. 8 — The Winter Meetings officially begin. MLB Network will air live updates and interviews with decision-makers across the league starting at 7 a.m MT.
Tuesday, Dec. 9 — Meetings continue and MLB Network’s coverage follows that of Monday’s with the addition of the MLB Draft Lottery at 3:30 p.m. It’s not very exciting for Rockies fans as the team isn’t eligible for the lottery since they have been in the lottery the last two seasons. Rules stop losing teams from being in the lottery three years in a row. (The Rockies are joined by the Nationals and Angels in being ruled out.)
Dec. 10 — Final day of meetings, including the Rule 5 Draft at noon MT.
DePodesta and Co. need to be like a giant Etch A Sketch: shake away the old picture of the Rockies — the one that couldn’t or wouldn’t communicate, wouldn’t trade players out of a destructive sense of loyalty and didn’t have accurate valuations of players — and build new relationships with every other front office in the league.
This is where having Colorado newbies like DePodesta and Byrnes will help. They aren’t connected to the old guard, while at the same time are still well-established in the league — even if DePodesta had a layover in the NFL.
The Rockies are going to have to be a better trade partner and expand their trade network. In the organization’s history, some big moves have been made in the Winter Meetings. Some didn’t pay off as well like signing Mike Hampton to an eight-year, $121 million deal in 2000 or inking Ian Desmond to a $70 million, five-year deal in 2016; while others were outstanding, like trading for DJ LeMahieu in 2011, Brian Fuentes in 2001 and Jeff Cirillo in 1999. The Rockies have to abandon the practice of signing veterans who were never that great to make moves to actually improve the roster and field a competitive team sooner rather than later. Even though the Rockies are in a rebuild mode vs. a win-now mentality, and they should continue to “let the kids play,” they also need some talented veterans to help show the way and avoid losing 119 games again.
Trade or Free Agent Possibilities
The Rockies rotation needs help. That could start by acquiring a veteran, ground-ball pitcher who can be effective at altitude, sea level and back again. I have argued for Zac Gallen, but getting solid arm to achor the rotation with Kyle Freeland should be a priority so that the Rockies aren’t forced to call up pitching prospects who aren’t ready, destroying their confidence and burning out promising arms.
The offense is almost as bad. This year, rumors abound on trading Gold Glove center fielder Brenton Doyle. Despite his elite range and glove, his inconsistent hitting and down 2025 dented his future as the face of the franchise. If he stays, the Colorado front office could also look at the others in the crowded outfield that has Mickey Moniak, Tyler Freeman, Jordan Beck and Yanquiel Fernández, in addition to prospects like Cole Carrigg, Jared Thomas, Zac Veen, Robert Calaz and Max Belyeu.
The Rockies could also look for a trade to bring power or contact-hitting veteran to first base (like Josh Bell, Luis Arráez, or Paul Goldschmidt) or second base (like the longshots of signing for Bo Bichette or trading for Ketel Marte).
Even if it was just one trade or notable free agent signing, some movement would be a sign of progress and proof that this is a new front office.
While the hype is always big, an impactful payout is less common when it comes to the Rule 5 Draft. Despite the downside that the players have to stay on the big league roster for the entire season and are available for a reason, from time to time, Rule 5 Draft selections can make a splash.
The Rockies picked up RHP Anthony Molina in the 2023 Rule 5 Draft. Over the last two seasons, he’s pitched in 52 games (two starts) with a 6.96 ERA and 1.61 WHIP. He remains on the 40-man roster.
DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 6: Colorado Rockies pitcher Anthony Molina (43) pitches in the eighth inning during a game between the San Diego Padres and the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on September 6, 2025 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
With the first pick in Rule 5 Draft due to their MLB-worst record in 2025, the Rockies will have their pick and could look to add a pitcher, especially a reliever, who could try to make an impact in 2026.
What do you think the Rockies will do at the Winter Meetings? Share your predictions and hopes in the comments.
This is the newest version of the same story of the Rockies failures under Dick Monfort and flailing reputation in the league as a “shrewd,” while lacking logic and innovation. Jake Mintz got some amazing quotes from anonymous former players and employees that make this rather spicy. It also lays out the challenges facing Paul DePodesta. Definitely worth the read.
Troy Renck praises the latest Rockies hire. With many more front office and coaching jobs to fill, a roster to build, a development plan to make and an identity to form, the Rockies are at least in the right place to start showing signs of improvement. This article has more insightful background on Byrnes as he heads into his first Winter Meetings with the Rockies.
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