Colorado Rockies accidentally speak truth about rebuild

The Colorado Rockies appear to have thrown in the towel on the 2021 season. Nolan Arenado has been traded away to the Cardinals for a disappointing return. While they have said the right things about keeping Trevor Story on hand, one has to wonder if he will want to stay. For that matter, one has to wonder who the next player to be dealt away will be.

Appearances may be deceiving in this case. According to Rockies general manager Jeff Bridich, the team is not entering a rebuild.

Colorado Rockies general manager accidentally admits lack of plan

Somehow, in their press conference on Tuesday, Bridich and Rockies owner Dick Monfort gave the impression that they feel the team can contend. Then came the line we had been waiting for when Bridich said that the trade was not indicative of a total rebuild.

And in that line, the unspoken truth came out. The Rockies are truly a team without direction or a plan. They are a team under a cloud of delusion, believing that they can contend despite all the evidence staring them in the face proving the opposite.

It is easy to blame Bridich for the Rockies’ issues. He did admit that he was at fault in the Arenado situation. His track record in free agency has been a disaster. But he is not the only person to blame in the organization. Ownership has to provide a clear mandate and expectation. The idea that the Rockies can still contend shows how far up the ladder the rot extends.

Any rational front office or owner would be able to read the writing on the wall. The Dodgers and Padres are built to contend for years to come. At best, the Rockies will be contending for third in the NL West, and even that is not a given. This is not a team that is a piece away, even when Arenado was on the roster. It is time to tear it all down and rebuild.

At least that would be the case if the Colorado Rockies had a competent front office and a vision. Right now, they have neither.