The wage dip is fine for now, but Colorado has money problems

It’s a common refrain that Rockies fans throw my way.

“Owner Dick Monfort is a cheap skater,” say the dissatisfied. “Fans continue to flock to Coors Field, but he is not investing in the team on the field.”

That criticism came to a head recently when I reported that the The Rockies payroll would take a hit by 2025.

The criticism is not supported by the facts.

However, it is more than fair to criticize How the Rockies spent their money. And we’re not just talking about scratching our heads, seven-year, $172 million contract they gave Kris Bryant before the 2022 season.

Colorado’s payroll has been close to mid-market status for several years. In 2018, their last playoff season, the Rockies’ total payroll costs were $143.9 million (according to Spotrac) Ranked 13th in the majors. In 2019, their payroll of $157.1 million ranked 11th; in 2023, their $171.0 million payroll ranked 14th.

But in 2024, when the club lost more than 100 games for the second year in a row, payroll fell to $147.4 (17th). Like most major league teams that don’t have their own TV network, the Rockies’ cash flow was disrupted by the demise of regional sports networks. See if that trend continues.

I predict that after the Rockies make a few offseason trades and let go of some players — right-hander Cal Quantrill with his projected $9 million salary is the most likely player to be moved — the payroll could drop to $130 million. Remember: The club will no longer have Charlie Blackmon’s $13 million contract on the books.

Much depends on whether the team adds an experienced bat and an experienced reliever, but the cheaper Colorado is youth movement comes to full strength, it will likely rank 20th out of 30 teams on total payroll.

It’s the right approach – for now.

The club must save its resources to invest in young top players Gold Glove outfielder Brenton Doyle and prospects who have the chance to become the stars of tomorrow. I’m talking about players like pitchers Chase Dollander and Carson Palmquist, as well as outfielders Zac Veen And Yanquiel Fernandezshould they develop as the Rockies hope.

General manager Bill Schmidt and the front office made a smart move last spring signing shortstop Ezequiel Tovar to a seven-year contract extension worth $63.5 million. The deal includes a team option for 2031 that could increase the agreement to $84 million over eight seasons. Tovar has a chance to be the best shortstop in franchise history, so the contract seems like a steal.

Let’s face it: the Rockies will never challenge financial giants like the Mets, Dodgers, Yankees and Phillies. That doesn’t mean the Rockies can’t compete, but going forward they need to get better at developing their own players.

In 2024, en route to their 61-101 record, the Rockies spent $2.41 million per win, the 14th most in the majors. Not surprisingly, the Mets were ranked No. 1. Their $317.8 million salary resulted in an 89-73 record and a spot in the National League Championship Series. The Mets spent $3.57 million per win.

Of course, the Mets and Rockies are apples and oranges. But five playoff teams with lower total payroll costs than the Rockies also spent significantly less per win: Kansas City ($1.42 million), Milwaukee ($1.24 million), Baltimore ($1.21 million), Cleveland ($1.16 million) and Detroit ($1.15 million).

To end its lost tradition, Colorado must stop making foolish payroll choices.

At the top of the list, of course, was Monfort’s decision to give Bryant that mega deal. I believe the signing of Bryant was Monfort’s attempt to make amends in the wake of the wildly unpopular Nolan Arenado trade in 2021. Monfort paid way too much for star power, while other teams knew that Bryant’s star was on the decline fade away.

Bryant has four years left on the books and is worth $104 million.

But it wasn’t just the Bryant deal that had me scratching my head. I understand Blackmon is a beloved icon, but there was no reason other than sentimentality to pay him $13 million for his final season. The Pirates gave Andrew McCutcheon, a similar player, to a one-year contract worth $5 million.

Near the trade deadline in 2022, amid trade rumors, closer Daniel Bard signed a two-year contract worth $19 million to remain with the team through 2024. At the time, the hard-throwing right-hander was 3-3 with 21 saves and a 1.91 ERA in 37 games. But he was also 37 years old and had a history of anxiety problems.

In 2023, as his anxiety issues resurfaced and arm injuries surfaced, Bard pitched poorly (4.56 ERA, one save), and Injuries prevented him from throwing at all in 2024. The Rockies’ wishful thinking and decision not to trade Bard came back to bite them.

Given the current reality of the Rockies, a relatively smaller payroll makes sense. The time to spend big money was in 2018, when the core of a powerful team was in place. Unfortunately, they didn’t do it.

Six years later, the Rockies believe they are entering a bright new era. We’ll see. But one thing is certain: they cannot continue making monetary mistakes.

Major League Baseball cost per win

Team	Total payroll	File	Cost per win
1. Mets #	$317.8	89-73	$3.57
2.Yankees #	$309.9	94-68	$3.29
3. White Sox	$133.8	41-121	$3.26
4. Blue jays	$284.4	74-84	$2.95
5. Astros#	$255.8	88-73	$2.90
6.Rangers	$222.5	74-84	$2.89
7. Cubs	$229.6	83-79	$2.77
8. Angels	$172.2	63-99	$2.73
9. Brave #	$236.4	89-73	$2.67
10. Phillies #	$247.9	95-67	$2.60
11. Giants	$206.7	80-82	$2.58
12. Red Sox	$190.0	81-81	$2.55
13. Evaders #	$241.0	98-64	$2.64
14. Rockies	$147.4	61-101	$2.41
15. Cardinals	$175.9	83-79	$2.12
16. Sailors	$148.3	85-77	$2.01
17. Diamondbacks	$172.8	89-73	$1.94
18. Padres #	$171.8	93-96	$1.85
19. Gemini	$130.9	82-80	$1.59
20. Marlins	$97.5	62-100	$1.59
21. Nationals	$103.9	71-91	$1.46
22. Royal #	$122.5	86-76	$1.42
23. Red	$103.3	77-85	$1.30
24. Brewers #	$115.4	93-69	$1.24
25. Orioles#	$109.8	91-71	$1.21
26. Guards #	$106.8	92-69	$1.16
27. Tigers #	$98.5	86-76	$1.15
28. Pirates	$85.4	76-86	$1.12
29. Rays	$88.8	80-82	$1.11
30. A’s	$63.4	69-93	$0.91

(Click here to view the chart on mobile.)

Figures in millions of dollars | #Playoff teams | Source: Spotrac.com

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