Experience matters on a major league roster.
I know that it may be considered heresy by some, but the Colorado Rockies need to have experienced veteran players on the roster.
However, Rockies fans have been
conditioned by the organization to associate the word “veteran” with an ineffective player receiving excessive playing time. For the most part, this is understandable given how the team has generally operated and approached the idea of employing an experienced player.
When the Rockies have talked about getting an experienced player to help mentor the young players and get some veteran influence, it’s usually been in the form of a random older player in his 30s who is nothing more than a glorified bench tool. The most defining trait is that it’s a player who is a grinder and does things the right way.
However, as we’ve seen with players like Orlando Arcia and Kyle Farmer this season, those types of players are doing very little to move the needle forward for the club. They were certainly good clubhouse guys who are helpful utility players when needed, and there is a place for those types of pieces on a team, but they don’t fill the need of an experienced example in the lineup.
Through 2025, MLB.com’s Thomas Harding and The Denver Post’s Patrick Saunders have pointed to the fact that an experienced leader has been missing from the Rockies’ lineup after Charlie Blackmon retired in 2024.
Harding writes, “Various players suggested that the retirement of outfielder Charlie Blackmon after 2024 and the continued injury problems of long-ago Cubs World Series star Kris Bryant left young players without the figure that they were looking up to before turning pro.”
The absence of a leader with a proven track record has been a glaring flaw for the Rockies. There is a stark contrast between the veteran player who has been around for a good bit and the veteran player who has continued to post up day in and day out and produced results.
The Rockies have typically put more emphasis on things such as age or playoff experience rather than actual results that help make a team better. They are the types of players that are good at teaching someone about the experience of being a big leaguer, but not so much being a successful one.
Colorado isn’t likely to go out and spend big on one of the premier free agents this offseason, nor should they. But, there is an opportunity to spend a modest amount on a player that could play most every day and help share some knowledge with a young team.
I think back to the signing of Michael Cuddyer in December 2011. While the Rockies already had the likes of Troy Tulowitzki and Todd Helton on the roster, injuries hindered them through Cuddyer’s three seasons in Colorado, which forced them to use younger players. Cuddyer also had his share of injuries, but he was the ultimate teammate and proved effective during his Colorado tenure, which included an All-Star appearance and a batting title.
Beyond the play on the field, which was quite good when he was healthy, Cuddyer was the type of leader off the field that made an impression on his younger teammates.
“He’s very outgoing, always willing to help,” said rookie Jordan Pacheco. “In spring training, he came up to me and said, ‘I have played a couple of positions and I have been a utility guy before, so if you have any questions, just come ask me.’ He’s like that for everybody.”
While the Rockies still weren’t good from 2012-2014, Cuddyer’s influence could be seen in the years to come with Blackmon, Corey Dickerson, D.J. LeMahieu and Nolan Arenado. The leadership mixed with a 4.3 rWAR on the field isn’t too shabby for a three-year $31.5 million contract, even if it could be viewed as a slight overpay for his services at the time.
As the Rockies look to address their roster discrepancies for 2026, the new head of baseball operations will need to look for opportunities to not just add a player with experience, nor a player who had a couple of good seasons eight years ago. No, they need to look for a leader who can talk the talk and walk the walk and show the corps of young players how to become reliable and effective big leaguers.
Veteran leadership is important for teams to compete and grow to reach the next level. Teams like the Seattle Mariners and Milwaukee Brewers have plenty of homegrown talent, but they have also gone out to acquire key pieces of veteran leadership to get them to the next level. If the Rockies want to take the necessary steps to contention, they have to learn the difference between what veteran role model they need for their team.
Arizona Fall League
Salt River Rafters 5, Glendale Desert Dogs 2
The Salt River Rafters tallied five runs as they outhit Glendale 6-4 in a Tuesday victory. A three run fifth inning proved the difference maker for the Rafters. As for Rockies prospects, Charlie Condon had an RBI groundout in the first inning and notching one hit. Jared Thomas had a rough day with three strikeouts and Braylen Wimmer struck out in his one at-bat. No pitchers took the mound.
Rockies interviewing external candidates for head of baseball operations (report) | MLB.com
The Rockies haven’t confirmed anything, but reports indicate that at least three candidates have been interviewed to fill to the front office vacancy. Those three candidates are Blue Jays vice president of baseball strategy (and former Astros general manager) James Click, Royals senior vice president and assistant GM Scott Sharp and Guardians executive VP and assistant GM Matt Forman.
Affected by Altitude Episode 183: Now We Play the Waiting Game | Rocky Mountain Rooftop
This week, Evan Lang and I talk about the front office changes and what we are looking for in a new manager and coaching staff. We also shared some thoughts on the LCS series before they had started.
Please keep in mind our Purple Row Community Guidelines when you’re commenting. Thanks!
