Denver Post sports writer Patrick Saunders with the latest installment of his Rockies Mailbag.
Pose a Rockies- or MLB-related question for the Rockies Mailbag.
With the trade deadline coming up (on July 31), do you think the Rockies will do anything? Ryan McMahon, German Marquez and Mickey Moniak seem like guys we can sell for some prospects, but there’s a feeling in my gut that says (general manager) Bill Schmidt is just going to sit on his hands again.
— Mark, Arvada
Mark, despite all the trade rumors that swirl this time of year, much of the media chatter never translates into action. That’s certainly been true of the Rockies over the years. However, I do think this year is different because the Rockies have hit rock bottom and are not close to turning the corner. I think several trades might occur, including possible combinations of players being thrown together in deals.
McMahon is definitely on the table again, with the Yankees and Mariners among teams interested. I thought Marquez was a solid trade candidate, especially when he started pitching so well in June. However, he now has an inflamed biceps tendon and will likely go on the 15-day injured list. That will affect his trade value.
Several teams, led by the Phillies, are looking for bullpen help. In Seth Halvorsen, Victor Vodnik and Greg Bird, the Rockies have some good, controllable young arms. We’ll see if teams ask about them and if the Rockies respond.
We have two questions revolving around first baseman Michael Toglia.
How do Charlie Condon, Kyle Karros and now Ethan Holliday profile on the major league roster? Michael Toglia’s bat doesn’t seem to make him a long-term answer. Which of the kids moves to first base? Which one gets to Denver first?
— David M., Frisco, Texas
How much longer will the Rockies put up with the poor performance of Michael Toglia? Doesn’t seem like the Triple-A reboot helped much.
— Jason, Visilia
I’ll begin with David’s question. Things often change, but as it stands now, Karros profiles as a third baseman and the possible heir to Ryan McMahon if McMahon is traded. Condon looks like a first baseman/designated hitter in the majors.
It’s too early to tell where Holliday profiles. He considers himself a shortstop, but he could muscle up to 230 pounds as he gets older, so third base, first base or right field look more likely. So, down the road, the Rockies can look at both Condon and Holliday at first base if Toglia continues to struggle.
The first one to make his big-league debut? It’s Karros, perhaps as soon as this season. Holliday, just 18 years old, is a long way off.
Regarding Jason’s question about Toglia’s struggles, there is no question that the Rockies are frustrated with him and have been for some time. As I write this, Toglia is slashing .199/.269/.364 with 10 homers and a 38.3% strikeout rate. The Rockies could put up with all of the Ks if Toglia were hitting homers and driving in runs consistently. But he’s not. His home run rate is 3.2%, a step down from his 5.5% rate from last season. He’s hitting .175 with runners in scoring position.
Toglia’s demotion to Albuquerque for a Triple-A tuneup didn’t help very much.
“I think he’s taken a little step back, in terms of seeing the progression from that,” manager Warren Schaeffer said on Monday. “I don’t think it’s a physical adjustment. I think it’s more mental right now, powering through what he needs to power through on a daily basis to provide us with consistent at-bats. He’s working through that with the hitting coaches. He’s trying to get everyday progress.”
Asked if there are holes in Toglia’s long swing that are exploited at the big-league level, Schaeffer answered: “I think that’s always fair because this is the best league. Obviously, you are going to have better at-bats and better results in a lesser league — at Triple-A.
“Mike has had a high strikeout rate for a long time. That’s just part of who he is as a player. He also has power and can drive in runs, and that can go hand in hand. But I think swing and miss is absolutely exploited more at this level.”
Hi Patrick, thank you for your continuing coverage in a very lost season. As we continue to try to turn a corner and avoid the worst season in majors since, well, last year with the White Sox, I wonder about the contract with Kris Bryant.
I think that most people agree — with the exception of Kris himself, and I can’t blame him for not giving up — that his career is most likely over. This is sad for all involved. So, in thinking about his contract, I wonder what is a possible solution? I know the money is guaranteed and the Rockies will have to pay him. But are there options? Do the Rockies have an insurance policy on him where they would recoup some money? If he retires, does he get paid? Is it possible to restructure his contract (both sides would have to agree, of course) to spread the burden over more years? Does extending the burden even make sense? In your opinion, is there anything that can or should be done? Thanks.
— Joe, Highlands Ranch
Joe, I’ll start by saying that I don’t think Bryant will return this season. Several people on the Rockies’ staff have confirmed that. He’s not making any significant progress rehabbing his chronic lower-back condition, at least not enough to play big-league baseball.
I have asked multiple people, including some agents, about the Rockies’ options. They don’t have many. If a doctor or doctors determined that Bryant can no longer play, the Rockies might get some contract relief in terms of a “workman’s compensation.” Or, perhaps, the Rockies could negotiate with Bryant and his agent, Scott Boras, to work out some sort of buyout. That’s unlikely.
Bryant, 33, could retire, but would only do so if he and the Rockies reached a payment agreement. That’s what happened with former Nationals starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg, who retired in April 2024. According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, Strasburg, who has not pitched since June 9, 2022, still received the remaining $105 million he was owed from his original seven-year, $245 million contract.
According to Nightengale, the original contract was heavily deferred ($11.4 million annually), with Strasburg scheduled to receive $26.5 million in 2027, 2028, and 2029. As part of his retirement deal, Strasburg’s contract was restructured to increase the deferrals further.
Bryant, officially diagnosed with lumbar degenerative disc disease, is in the fourth year of his seven-year, $182 million contract. He’s owed $27 million annually from 2026 to 2028.
Can you explain MLB’s anti-tanking rule and why, even if the Rockies have the worst record in the modern era, they’ll only get the 10th pick?
— Mike Kruger, Denver
Mike, it’s pretty simple. When the draft lottery was introduced in 2022, Major League Baseball implemented a rule aimed at preventing teams from intentionally losing games to improve their draft position.
Here’s how it works:
• Large-market teams, defined as teams that do not receive revenue sharing, are prohibited from receiving a selection in the lottery in consecutive years. The 2024 White Sox fell into this group.
• Small-market teams — revenue sharing recipients, like the Rockies — are prohibited from receiving a selection in the lottery in three consecutive years. That’s why the Rockies are ineligible to participate in the lottery at this year’s winter meetings and can pick no higher than 10th in the 2026 draft.
Hartford seems to be the only team in the entire organization that’s winning and winning with a plan and process in place. It seems like something that could translate well to the big-league level, especially with a lot of those same young guys either on the big-league team as we speak, or quickly on their way. I know ownership seems to like Warren Schaeffer, but is there any chance they make a call to (manager) Bobby Meacham at the end of the year to helm the ship moving forward? Seems like having a guy with 40 years or so in pro ball would be helpful to steer the young talent, especially with him being so familiar with the young talent and more importantly, he’s won a lot of games with them!
— Gary Breeze, Castle Pines
Gary, there is no question that the Rockies have a lot of talent at Double-A Hartford, and that’s a good thing. Often, the best players get a big chunk of their minor-league maturation at Double-A and then make a pit stop at Triple-A. However, the jump from Double-A to Triple-A to the majors can be huge. Look at what’s happened this season to outfielder Zac Veen and pitcher Chase Dollander.
Regarding Meaham, I’ve heard great things about his skills as a manager, but it’s unlikely he will get promoted to the Rockies, especially if they hire a new general manager.
Have you gotten a clearer picture of the potential front office changes? You had reported big change seemed likely right before Greg Feasel announced he would be stepping away, but is that potentially the most significant change we get? As you’ve coined before, the Rockies need a president of baseball ops at the very least.
— Tyler P., Denver
Tyler, great question. I expect, as do many others, that general manager Bill Schmidt’s days are numbered. I also believe that the Rockies will hire a GM from outside the organization, but I don’t know when. I’m not sure if the Rockies’ reorganization of their front office will include a president of baseball operations. I also don’t know if Walker Monfort, the new executive vice president, will play a significant role on the baseball side or be primarily involved with the business side.
I wish I could tell you more.
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