DALLAS (Dec. 9) \u00ad\u2014 Colorado Rockies<\/a> 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\u2019 current roster situation and goals.<\/p>\n Schmidt said the Rockies were looking to add a veteran to go with the \u201cyoung kids\u201d when they signed Austin Nola<\/a><\/strong> to a minor-league deal. Nola will compete for a spot along with Drew Romo<\/a><\/strong>, Hunter Goodman<\/a><\/strong>, and fellow veteran Jacob Stallings<\/a><\/strong>. Worst-case scenario is having another veteran with the Albuquerque Isotopes to help the Triple-A pitchers develop.<\/p>\n Romo still has work to do offensively, mainly with \u201ctightening up the zone\u201d and lowering his chase rate. He also needs to work on his throwing. Schmidt added that Romo \u201cdid a good job\u201d in receiving and game calling and also said he has already spoke with Romo about everything he mentioned.<\/p>\n Schmidt spoke highly of Michael Toglia<\/a><\/strong>\u2019s performance since being recalled in June. Toglia started every game left in the season, a streak of 101. Schmidt believes Toglia is \u201ca Gold Glove candidate.\u201d Toglia still has room to grow as a hitter, namely needing to \u201cput the ball in play a bit more.\u201d<\/p>\n Non-tendering Brendan Rodgers<\/a><\/strong> created a hole at second that needs to be filled. The Rockies are \u201cstill looking at the market.\u201d Schmidt elaborated, \u201cThe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n 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<\/a><\/strong>. It has a mutual option for 2026 with a $750,000 buyout.<\/em><\/p>\n The Rockies are trying to get a deeper bench infield-wise, lining up with what Schmidt said about Farmer. He also mentioned Aaron Schunk<\/a><\/strong> and his progress, something that will allow manager Bud Black<\/a><\/strong> to rotate his infielders more and \u201ckeep them fresh.\u201d<\/p>\n A case illustrating the need for more depth is Ryan McMahon<\/a><\/strong>. McMahon had an All-Star first half, but his production waned as the season progressed, especially in the last two months. Schmidt said, \u201cMy word for him this year is \u2018finish.\u2019 Let\u2019s finish strong.\u201d He continued, \u201cPart 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.\u201d<\/p>\n 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<\/a><\/strong>, 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. \u201cLet him play, let the athlete come out,\u201d Schmidt remarked.<\/p>\n The Rockies hope that Nolan Jones<\/a><\/strong> has learned from the struggles of 2024 and will have a bounce-back season. \u201cHe has a chance to be an impact player,\u201d Schmidt said, also noting that the 2023 version of Jones played well.<\/p>\n Jordan Beck<\/a><\/strong> had a \u201clearning year\u201d 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\u2019s eyes. \u201cHe missed two months. The merry-go-round is going, and he tries to jump on, but it\u2019s going a little faster than he’s used to.\u201d Because of the way Beck \u201cis wired,\u201d Schmidt is \u201canxious\u201d to see what he looks like when he shows up to spring training. \u201cThere\u2019s a big, high care factor,\u201d Schmidt said. \u201cHe wants<\/em> to be good.\u201d<\/p>\n With the retirement of Charlie Blackmon<\/a><\/strong>, 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.<\/p>\n German Marquez<\/a><\/strong> \u201clooks good\u201d and is \u201cphysically strong.\u201d Schmidt saw him when he came to Denver recently, saying Marquez\u2019s \u201cupper body looked real strong, and he felt good.\u201d Marquez is throwing and is \u201cin a good spot.\u201d Kyle Freeland<\/a><\/strong>, Antonio Senzatela<\/a><\/strong>, Austin Gomber<\/a><\/strong>, and Ryan Feltner<\/a><\/strong> are all throwing at the Rockies\u2019 spring training facility, Salt River Fields in Scottsdale, Arizona.<\/p>\n The relief corps will mostly be young. Only Justin Lawrence<\/a><\/strong>, Tyler Kinley<\/a><\/strong>, Lucas Gilbreath<\/a><\/strong>, and newcomer Jimmy Herget<\/a><\/strong> do not have any minor-league options left, so this will give the Rockies several choices among their young relievers.<\/p>\n The Rockies have not yet chosen a full-time closer at this time. Schmidt mentioned Kinley, Victor Vodnik<\/a><\/strong>, and Seth Halverson as players in the mix. He also noted that Zach Agnos<\/a><\/strong> closed through the minor leagues, as did Jaden Hill<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n Kris Bryant \u201creally hasn\u2019t shut down\u201d since the end of the season. He\u2019s 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 \u201cin a good place.\u201d This is, of course, important to the Rockies, who plan to rotate him in as DH, an outfielder, and a backup first baseman. \u201cBeing a veteran, he knows we need him,\u201d Schmidt said. When he\u2019s out there every day, we\u2019re a better club.\u201d<\/p>\nPosition Updates<\/h3>\n
Catcher<\/h4>\n
First Base<\/h4>\n
Second Base<\/h4>\n
Rest of Infield<\/h4>\n
Outfield<\/h4>\n
Designated Hitter<\/h4>\n
Starting Pitching<\/h4>\n
Relief Pitching<\/h4>\n
Kris Bryant<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n
Main Photo:<\/h4>\n