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SAN FRANCISCO — The Rockies completed their dismal 119-loss season with a 4-0 loss to the Giants on Sunday, but there was no immediate word about what’s next.
It has been widely speculated that general manager Bill Schmidt will be replaced, but interim manager Warren Schaeffer, multiple players, and several coaches and staff members said they are unsure if, or when, a change is forthcoming.
There’s also been speculation that the Rockies will hire someone from outside the organization to overhaul the front office after the worst season in franchise history and three consecutive 100-loss campaigns. But that also remains to be seen.
Left fielder Jordan Beck offered an honest assessment of Colorado’s performance.
“I think if you look at the numbers, all of it, there is not necessarily anything we did great this year, starting with the offense, and you can even talk pitching as well,” he said. “If both get just a little bit better, I think we win 20 more games this year.
“Same thing with defense. We have good defensive players, but we didn’t show that. Maybe it’s because we lost so many games early, and it had an impact. I’m not sure. But we have to make some changes, whether it’s going out to sign some players or just finding other ways to get better. It is what it is. That’s what you have to do in this game.”
Center fielder Brenton Doyle doesn’t know what the immediate future holds, but said that the Rockies need stability and must learn how to win.
“For sure, we do,” he said. “We have a lot of moving parts and a lot of youth. We have guys coming up, and we need some chemistry built up. We have spent some time together, so now we need to find out how to come together and find a way to win more games.”
Senza to ‘pen. Schaeffer said Sunday that veteran right-hander Antonio Senzatela will work out of the bullpen next season and will not be a candidate for the starting rotation.
Senzatela began this season as a starter but struggled mightily, going 4-15 with a 7.42 ERA in 23 starts before he was moved to the bullpen. He’s pitched relatively well in his short stint as a reliever late this season, posting a 3.50 ERA with 12 strikeouts and five walks over six appearances out of the bullpen.
Senzatela threw the five fastest pitches of his career on Sept. 7 vs. San Diego, all of them topping 99 mph. His firepower for short stints on the mound intrigues the Rockies. Senzatela has one year left on his contract and will make $12 million next season.
“I think if you tell a player that you don’t know what the future holds for him going into the next year, that it’s tough for him to prepare,” Schaffer said Sunday morning. “So, for him, it’s preparing for a reliever role where he’s throwing one to two (innings), maxing out, and throwing 97-100, with a cutter and a riding heater. I think there is a lot of upside for him. Potentially, he could pitch toward the back end of our bullpen if all goes well.”
Wide-open spaces. Schaeffer said he expects the competition to be wide open during spring training in 2026, especially in the starting rotation, and at first and second base.
“Hey, listen, when you win 43 games, there are a lot of question marks out there for next year,” he said.
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Originally Published:
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Patrick Saunders
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