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Rockies managerial hiring process met with litany of endorsements for Bud Black
Jeff Bridich's phone has been blowing up with texts in support of the Rockies GM's decision to hire Black as the team's next manager, Nick Kosmider writes. The praise wasn't exclusive to Bridich's phone:
Digging #Rockies tabbing Bud Black; platoons well, will be interested to see what he does w/some fairly impressive young arms at altitude
— Christina Kahrl (@ChristinaKahrl) November 7, 2016
LOVE Bud Black. Must rethink Rockies. Requires new worldview. https://t.co/f8gsuHt2MD
— Keith Olbermann (@KeithOlbermann) November 7, 2016
Great that Bud Black is back in baseball as @Rockies manager as per our @thomasharding. Couldn't have hired a better guy. pic.twitter.com/JAtXzBetZS
— Barry M. Bloom (@Boomskie) November 7, 2016
Congratulations to Bud Black, who reportedly has been hired to manage the Rockies. Solid manager. Even better human. #MLBoffseason
— Peter Schmuck (@SchmuckStop) November 7, 2016
Marks first time #rockies had pitching coach as manager This team ready to win. I like choice of Bud Black @DenverChannel https://t.co/ZtlLtVJ7kN
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) November 7, 2016
Kosmider also adds that Rox owner Dick Monfort throughout the process granted Bridich the autonomy he needed to make the decision:
"I told Jeff that if they find their guy, he’s my guy, too," Monfort said. "I think it’s important that the baseball front office and the manager work in good stead, so I left that up to them."
Now, once Monfort publicly mentions that he thinks it's important for the baseball front office to work somewhat independently from the business front office, we'll really be getting somewhere.
Owner Dick Monfort says Rockies' payroll will set a record high in 2017
Speaking of Monfort, he told Patrick Saunders the club will have a higher payroll this season than they have at any point in team history. Of course, it was also the highest in team history at the beginning of 2016, so I don't think we can read into that too much.
Rockies could sign first baseman, relievers | MLB.com
Thomas Harding mentions the likes of Matt Holliday, Mike Napoli, Mark Trumbo and Brandon Moss as potential free-agent targets for the club's opening at first base. The Rockies also have some outfield depth that could be used to acquire players to fill other holes, but as Harding notes, Bridich has stated the team wants to remain as is in terms of its outfield.
Colorado Rockies Rumors: Mike Napoli a Target at First Base?
Rox Pile's Kevin Henry looks at the prospects of one of those players in purple pinstripes.
Guidelines for a Successful Rebuild: 3 lessons from the 2016 World Series Champion Chicago Cubs
The Rockies need to keep their farm intact (for now), build consistent organization-wide philosophies, and place value on experience and on-field leadership in order to take the next step, BSN Denver's Ben Karp writes. A couple of those things have already been set into motion.
Theo Epstein and the Cubs are doing a great thing for Jason Hammel | FOX Sports
Speaking of the World Champs, they kept their word to former Rockie Jason Hammel and are doing him a huge service by allowing him to become a free agent rather than the alternative. Good read from Ken Rosenthal.