Already, I can hear it: the sounds of the Purple Row discussion board sharpening their pitchforks after reading the this Rockpile’s headline.
But, yes, he Colorado Rockies should exercise their mutual option and bring back veteran utility player Kyle Farmer.
Hear me out.
Before going any further, I want to make clear that I won’t be doing a deep dive into Farmer’s stats — that’s a topic that will be covered soon enough in the “Ranking the Rockies” discussion. Rather my interest here is in the leadership
skills he brings to a very young Rockies clubhouse.
Oh, dear. I can hear those grinders cranking up again as the pitchfork tines are sharpened to a steely point.
Still, let me explain.
Currently, Farmer is with the Rockies on a one-year contract for $2.5 million with a mutual option for 2026 worth $4 million. In other words, it’s an inexpensive deal, and all indications from the Rockies clubhouse suggest it’s a good investment.
The players speak highly of Farmer
Ask any player in the Rockies clubhouse, especially the rookies, and they are clear in the importance of Farmer’s place in the clubhouse. When Ryan McMahon was traded to the New York Yankees, Farmer’s role became especially important in providing team leadership.
By the way, when Ethan Holliday visited the Rockies over the weekend, his locker was set up next to Farmer’s. That’s not a coincidence; rather, the Rockies wanted to ensure he had a seasoned but compassionate veteran to help their top prospect get settled in.
As rookie Ryan Ritter said of the Rockies clubhouse leaders, “Farmer’s a great one, and Arcia is. We play infield together, and he teaches me a lot. So those are two good people right there that definitely take me in.” He added, “I definitely just lean on (Farmer) for advice. If I don’t play, he’s a good guy to just sit next to during the game.”
Here’s catcher Braxton Fulford: “In the cage (last Saturday in San Diego), I was talking to Farmer, asking him how he stays ready not playing every day. So he’s given me a few tips about his routine and what he does consistently every day that allows him to be ready, which I think is helpful.”
Oh, and don’t forget that for a while, Hunter Goodman was using one of Farmer’s bats. Remember those homers on consecutive days back in St. Louis? Those were hit with a bat Farmer loaned to Goodman and gave him to keep.
“It’s a gift,” Farmer said. “I turn 35 in five days so I just keep on giving, I guess. He’s got some serious juice. He’s a really good hitter, a smart hitter.”
Now that’s mentorship.
Warren Schaeffer speaks highly of Farmer
Last weekend when asked about “clubhouse guys,” interim manager Warren Schaeffer was clear when speaking from the Rockies dugout on Friday.
“He’s meant a lot to everybody in that clubhouse, everybody out there stretching right now on the offensive side of the ball and on the pitching side,” Schaeffer said, adding, “just the way he goes about his business and keeps it light in the clubhouse.”
For Schaeffer, this kind of clubhouse leadership is key.
“You need a couple guys like that, not just one,” Schaeffer said, pointing to Orlando Arcia as another important clubhouse presence.
“It’s really hard to explain to the people that don’t see the inner-workings of the clubhouse because you can say this, and it can sound like I’m just trying to get Farmer some good press or whatever, but it is legitimately one of the best things that happens for us is what he does on the in that clubhouse.”
Farmer’s experience makes him an effective leader
Farmer’s commitment to building a collaborative atmosphere comes through in his comments.
For example, when asked about some season highlights, Farmer defaults not to his own performance but instead that of his teammates.
“I got to watch Goody hit 30 home runs, Mickey have a great year. I got to see The Crimmer come up and hit some bombs. I think it’s fun just to watch the young guys succeed and have 17 rookies on a roster, which is pretty wild.”
As for Farmer, his job was to be himself and set an example.
“I didn’t change anything about the way I went about my business [after McMahon was traded],” Farmer said. “I just kind of went along with everybody and tried to show them the right way to play.”
Plus, in the course of a career that’s seen Farmer on three other MLB teams — the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Cincinnati Reds, and the Minnesota Twins — he’s watched some effective mentors.
“Chase Utley, Clayton Kershaw, Justin Turner, Joey Votto — some Hall of Famers,” Farmer said.
“I mean, I got to watch some of the best players in the game play and witness that, and watch how they went about their business, and I just try to emulate that.”
And he’s open to returning for 2026.
“I’d love to for sure. If they’ll have me back. I have mutual option with them. If they want to pick it up. I’d love to go,” Then he added, “It’s up to them, though.”
Closing thoughts
What’s going to happen in the Rockies front office, I have no idea. However, this year has probably provided fans with a pretty clear preview of what’s up for 2026, which involves some of the players who’ve made their MLB debuts this season continuing to grow next year. The Colorado Rockies will continue to be a young team, and they will need clubhouse mentors to help guide relatively inexperienced players.
Farmer works well for a number of reasons, in large part because of his versatility.
Plus, he’s gotten some key knocks for the Rockies.
He’s a trusted presence in the clubhouse at a reasonable salary — and he can play all infield position.
The Rockies should absolutely bring him back next season.
Accolades
Congratulations to Kyle Karros, the Rockies MiLB Player of the Year according to Baseball America!
Warren Schaeffer told media on Sunday that both Karros and Ryan Ritter were told to hit the weight room during the offseason, which should help them prepare for 2026.
2025 Colorado Rockies: Terrible, but not quite terrible enough | The Sporting News
Well, when you put it like that . . . . Rodney Knuppel focuses on the Rockies’ very bad run differential.
Why Warren Schaeffer deserves to manage Colorado in 2026 | Denver Post ($)
Patrick Saunders makes the case for Schaeffer staying on. After quoting a number of Rockies players who endorse Schaeffer — Blaine Crim told me on Sunday, he’s “run through a brick wall for Schaeff” after only knowing him for a week — Saunders writes this:
Those of us who cover the Rockies regularly joke about Schaeffer’s penchant for talking about “how hard the boys fight” after their latest loss. It’s a bit maddening, and sometimes it sounds like he’s covering up for his team’s failures.
However, the truth is that Schaeffer will never publicly diss a player. It’s also true that Schaeffer knows the game, and he’s acutely aware of the Rockies’ limitations on the field — and in organization. I’ve asked him plenty of blunt, hard questions — off the record. Despite what fans might see on TV, Schaeffer is not wearing purple-colored glasses.
He has, however, found a way to keep his young team from wallowing in its losses. You could argue that many of Colorado’s young players are simply happy to be in the big leagues and therefore lack a sense of the team’s failure or what’s needed to win.
This one won’t make you feel better, but it is worth your time. (Hat tip to Adam Peterson for finding it.)
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