2024 Winter Meetings: Rockies GM Bill Schmidt Q&A, Day One
DALLAS (Dec. 9) — Colorado Rockies general manager Bill Schmidt sat down for a question-and-answer session with the Rockies writers in attendance at the Winter Meetings. We learned much from Schmidt in the half-hour meeting about the Rockies’ current roster situation and goals.
Position Updates
Catcher
Schmidt said the Rockies were looking to add a veteran to go with the “young kids” when they signed Austin Nola to a minor-league deal. Nola will compete for a spot along with Drew Romo, Hunter Goodman, and fellow veteran Jacob Stallings. Worst-case scenario is having another veteran with the Albuquerque Isotopes to help the Triple-A pitchers develop.
Romo still has work to do offensively, mainly with “tightening up the zone” and lowering his chase rate. He also needs to work on his throwing. Schmidt added that Romo “did a good job” in receiving and game calling and also said he has already spoke with Romo about everything he mentioned.
First Base
Schmidt spoke highly of Michael Toglia’s performance since being recalled in June. Toglia started every game left in the season, a streak of 101. Schmidt believes Toglia is “a Gold Glove candidate.” Toglia still has room to grow as a hitter, namely needing to “put the ball in play a bit more.”
Second Base
Non-tendering Brendan Rodgers created a hole at second that needs to be filled. The Rockies are “still looking at the market.” Schmidt elaborated, “The idea is to bring somebody in the middle. Worst-case scenario was to have (Kyle) Farmer ended up being the second baseman, which he was. But the idea was always to have him play a variety of infield positions.”
Update: As this went to press, Mark Feinsand reported that the Rockies had agreed to a one-year, $3.25 million deal with infielder Thairo Estrada. It has a mutual option for 2026 with a $750,000 buyout.
Rest of Infield
The Rockies are trying to get a deeper bench infield-wise, lining up with what Schmidt said about Farmer. He also mentioned Aaron Schunk and his progress, something that will allow manager Bud Black to rotate his infielders more and “keep them fresh.”
A case illustrating the need for more depth is Ryan McMahon. McMahon had an All-Star first half, but his production waned as the season progressed, especially in the last two months. Schmidt said, “My word for him this year is ‘finish.’ Let’s finish strong.” He continued, “Part of that is what I talked about, trying to rest guys and get through the grind of Colorado and playing at altitude. We are different, and nobody else plays like so. But having a better bench to allow all that to happen, and I’m hoping he can finish strong.”
Outfield
Playing center at Coors Field, with its large acreage and big gaps, takes quite a toll on the body. With the defensive prowess of Brenton Doyle, the Rockies plan on keeping him in center field as long as possible. Schmidt added, however, that they do not try to put a governor on him regarding the warning tracks and the walls. “Let him play, let the athlete come out,” Schmidt remarked.
The Rockies hope that Nolan Jones has learned from the struggles of 2024 and will have a bounce-back season. “He has a chance to be an impact player,” Schmidt said, also noting that the 2023 version of Jones played well.
Jordan Beck had a “learning year” in 2024, a year in which he missed time due to a broken hand. Missing time in the middle of the season is like jumping on a merry-go-round, in Schmidt’s eyes. “He missed two months. The merry-go-round is going, and he tries to jump on, but it’s going a little faster than he’s used to.” Because of the way Beck “is wired,” Schmidt is “anxious” to see what he looks like when he shows up to spring training. “There’s a big, high care factor,” Schmidt said. “He wants to be good.”
Designated Hitter
With the retirement of Charlie Blackmon, the Rockies can now use the DH position to give players a day off their feet defensively but keep them in the lineup. Schmidt feels that will also contribute to keeping guys fresh and preventing the late-season production decline that he referred to earlier.
Starting Pitching
German Marquez “looks good” and is “physically strong.” Schmidt saw him when he came to Denver recently, saying Marquez’s “upper body looked real strong, and he felt good.” Marquez is throwing and is “in a good spot.” Kyle Freeland, Antonio Senzatela, Austin Gomber, and Ryan Feltner are all throwing at the Rockies’ spring training facility, Salt River Fields in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Relief Pitching
The relief corps will mostly be young. Only Justin Lawrence, Tyler Kinley, Lucas Gilbreath, and newcomer Jimmy Herget do not have any minor-league options left, so this will give the Rockies several choices among their young relievers.
The Rockies have not yet chosen a full-time closer at this time. Schmidt mentioned Kinley, Victor Vodnik, and Seth Halverson as players in the mix. He also noted that Zach Agnos closed through the minor leagues, as did Jaden Hill.
Kris Bryant
Kris Bryant “really hasn’t shut down” since the end of the season. He’s been swinging and otherwise working out in Las Vegas this whole time. Schmidt said he hopefully with be in the lab in Arizona within the next week to continue his swing work. Everything he had been told is that Bryant is “in a good place.” This is, of course, important to the Rockies, who plan to rotate him in as DH, an outfielder, and a backup first baseman. “Being a veteran, he knows we need him,” Schmidt said. When he’s out there every day, we’re a better club.”
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