DePodesta Reviews Mixed Results at Coors Field
Colorado Rockies baseball operations president Paul DePodesta reflected on a season of progress and disappointment during an end-of-season press conference on Oct. 6, 2026.
The event took place at Coors Field in Denver, with club President Walker Monfort present alongside DePodesta. The team finished the year with 104 losses, marking a 15-win improvement from the previous season but leaving them as the worst team in baseball after losing 100-plus games for four consecutive years.
"When I think about our season, I have conflicting thoughts," DePodesta said Tuesday. "On the one hand, I feel good about some of the progress we made. On the other hand, I’m sort of very dissatisfied with how we finished."
Starting Pitching Collapse Defines Late Season
DePodesta cited a disastrous finish highlighted by poor starting pitching and an 0-15 record in the final months of the season. The team posted a 15-37 record across August and September, with DePodesta noting that their run differential was worse in innings one and two than in innings three and beyond combined.
The starting rotation struggled significantly after the trading deadline, posting a 7.00 earned run average during that stretch. Of the three veteran starters signed last offseason, only Tomoyuki Sugano remained effective initially before his performance declined. Sugano recorded an 8.61 ERA in August and a 5.97 ERA in September.
Other veterans faced different challenges. Jose Quintana was injured for most of the season, while Michael Lorenzen posted a league-high 7.08 ERA.
Lockout Looms as Roster Construction Begins
The Rockies face an upcoming lockout on Dec. 1 due to the expiring collective bargaining agreement. DePodesta anticipated a busy November to add roster pieces before the deadline, emphasizing the need to restructure the pitching rotation to avoid repeating last year's performance.
DePodesta expressed a desire for a "self-selecting group" of players willing to take on the challenge of rebuilding the pitching rotation. He noted that there is practically no help available in the farm system ready for 2027, necessitating external acquisitions or internal adjustments once the lockout ends.
Investment in Development and Coaching Continuity
The club plans to make equal or larger investments in player development and scouting operations this offseason. DePodesta also gave manager Warren Schaeffer a vote of confidence as he enters the second year of his contract, signaling continuity in leadership despite the team's record.