What Happened to Colorado Rockies?

The Colorado Rockies have experienced a prolonged period of struggle, culminating in three consecutive seasons with 100 or more losses from 2023 to 2025. The 2025 season was particularly dismal, as the team finished with a franchise-worst record of 43-119, tying for the third-most losses in the modern era and recording the worst run differential (-424) since the 1899 Cleveland Spiders. This downturn followed a 61-101 record in 2024, which itself was a second consecutive 100-loss season.

The reasons behind this decline are multifaceted, including persistent issues with pitching, a struggling offense, and a perceived lack of significant investment in free agency. In 2025, the Rockies' starting pitching posted a collective ERA of 6.65, the worst since 1901, and the team's batting average (.237) and OPS (.681) were also franchise lows. Injuries to key players, such as Nolan Jones in 2024 and more recently Mickey Moniak, Jordan Beck, and Brenton Doyle in the 2026 season, have further hampered the team's ability to compete.

Key turning points began in 2025 with the firing of manager Bud Black on May 11 after a 7-33 start to the season. Warren Schaeffer was appointed interim manager and later named the full-time manager on November 24, 2025. The most significant organizational restructuring occurred in late 2025 and early 2026. Longtime President & Chief Operating Officer Greg Feasel announced his departure, with Walker Monfort, son of majority owner Dick Monfort, stepping into the role of club president in January 2026. This was followed by the hiring of Paul DePodesta, formerly of the Cleveland Browns, as President of Baseball Operations in November 2025, and Josh Byrnes as General Manager in January 2026, marking a complete overhaul of the baseball operations leadership.

A major development in 2026 was the announcement on April 10 that the Penner Sports Group, led by Denver Broncos co-owners Greg and Carrie Penner, acquired a 40% minority stake in the Rockies. This move made them the largest minority owners in MLB and is seen as a crucial financial boost for a franchise that has often been criticized for its lower spending. While the Monfort family retains majority ownership and day-to-day control, the Penners' involvement is expected to bring a new level of commitment to competing at the highest level.

As of June 7, 2026, the Colorado Rockies hold a 24-41 record in the current season. The new front office, under DePodesta and Byrnes, is focused on a long-term rebuild, emphasizing a consistent message from the major league level through the minors. Despite ongoing injury challenges to players like Mickey Moniak and Brenton Doyle, and struggles from veteran pitchers such as Kyle Freeland and Michael Lorenzen, the team believes there are signs of progress. On June 7, 2026, Kyle Freeland achieved a personal milestone, becoming the franchise's all-time leader in innings pitched. The organization is now looking to identify potential trade pieces at the upcoming August 3 trade deadline to further shape its future.