It’s been 82 days since the Rockies 2025 season ended.
In 98 days, the 2026 season will begin.
Despite a nearly complete overhaul of the front office and coaching staff, one thing doesn’t look very different yet: the Colorado Rockies roster.
Despite inking a handful of minor-league contracts and making one minor-league trade, the Rockies and the Boston Red Sox remain the only MLB teams that haven’t signed a free agent this year. With the pieces in place in the front office, it’s time for the organization
to get going on the roster. It would be nice to end the year with a few more pieces in place going into 2026.
While signing a starting or back-up not-past-their-prime first or second basemen would be a good investment, the Rockies also need more pitching depth. There are too many question marks for the starting rotation (like Chase Dollander’s rocky rookie season, Tanner Gordon’s small sample size, Ryan Feltner’s health and control issues, Carson Palmquist’s and McCade Brown’s shaky early starts, and Gabriel Hughes’ timetable).
While new GM Josh Brynes has noted that the Rockies bullpen is a strength, it might lose Jimmy Herget to a starting role, on top of losing Jake Bird and Tyler Kinley in trades last season. It’s also gaining Antonio Senzatela, owner of the MLB’s highest ERA for pitchers who threw 130 or more innings (6.65) in 2025. With changes and growing pains to come, the Rockies need to keep the bullpen a strength to improve in 2026.
To do that, I think the Rockies still need to sign a starting pitcher like Zac Gallen, or even an old friend like Jon Gray or Tyler Anderson with proven success in Colorado, who also might come cheap. In addition to that, or in case they don’t add starting depth and really do move Herget to a starting-pitching role — even though it would likely mean big bullpen days on his starting outings — the Rockies should also add more proven bullpen depth.
This all makes me wonder if the Rockies should re-sign Tyler Kinley to come back and serve as the veteran leader in the bullpen.
Kinley was the seventh-best reliever by r-WAR (0.1) for Colorado last season. Kinley’s WAR was also No. 17 on the team. The Rockies already traded their fourth-best bullpen arm in Bird (No. 10 on Rockies at 0.5 WAR). They might be in better shape in 2026 with one of the two veterans back on the team.
Kinley made 49 appearances for the Rockies in 2025, posting a 5.66 ERA in 47 2/3 innings with eight holds, three saves and a 1-3 record before being traded to the Braves on July 30. Kinley was then lights out in Atlanta, posting a 0.74 ERA in 25 innings in 24 outings with six holds. The Braves declined Kinley’s 2026 option, which would have paid him about $5.5 million, making him a free agent.
The 35-year-old RHP is likely to sign for about the same yearly salary on a two- or three-year deal. MLB.com lists Kinley as tied for the 14th-best remaining reliever free agent by 2025 FanGraphs WAR (0.8).
Unless Senzatela shows up in spring training as an effective pitcher who doesn’t throw batting practice to opposing hitters, the Rockies should be prepared to cut him. It would mean eating the $12 million the organization owes him for the final year in his 5-year, $50 million deal, but it could be a chance for the new front office to prove it’s not driven by the blind loyalty Dick Monfort has been known for. That would open a spot for someone like Kinley, who could be much more effective.
Since Colorado claimed him off waivers in 2019 after he was cut by the Miami Marlins, Kinley posted a 5.05 ERA in six seasons in purple, going 11-13 with a 1.2 rWAR and 20 saves in 253 appearances (246 innings). Kinley’s slider is deadly when it’s breaking late and is a huge reason for his 9.5 strikeouts per nine average during his Colorado tenure. In addition, Kinley could be worth re-signing for his leadership, the chemistry he brings, and his relatively low pricetag.
There’s a lot of interesting debate on who will land on the 26-man roster in the bullpen to start 2026. It was even the topic of a Purple Row After Dark discussion on Dec. 10. With only eight spots for relivers, there’s going to be a lot of competition.
Should the Rockies throw a familiar face like Kinley back in the mix? Jalen Beeks, Pierce Johnson, Brent Suter and Connor Seabold are also free agents. Or should they continue to go for the young arms and build for the future? Let us know in the comments.
Ex-Rockies exec: Bryant bothered by inability to stay healthy | The Score
Rockies former vice president and assistant general manager of baseball operations Zack Rosenthal appeared on Foul Territory on Thursday and discussed the Rockies albatross Kris Bryant, who has played in 170 games four seasons into his 7-year, $182 million deal.
Rockies, Brett Sullivan Agree To Minor League Contract | Yard Baker
On Thursday, the Rockies signed catcher/utility player Brett Sullivan to a minor league deal with a non-roster invite to spring training. He’s played in 43 games over three MLB seasons with the Padres and Pirates.
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