By Jordan Long
The Colorado Rockies are in the midst of one of their worst seasons in recent memory. They stand at 31-49. It could be time to let Manager Bud Black go.
The Rockies hired Bud Black on November 6th, 2016. This was after the Rockies fired Walt Weiss following 4 seasons going 283-365, a winning percentage of .437. Colorado felt Black was the best candidate out there. He had MLB managerial experience with the San Diego Padres from 2007 to 65 games into the 2015 season. There he went 649-713. Colorado gave him a chance.
In his first two years, Colorado earned a Wild Card spot. There were only two Wild Card teams at the time. In 2017, they were 87-75 and lost to Arizona in the Wild Card game 11-8. It was Colorado’s first playoff appearance since 2009. In 2018, they faced the Chicago Cubs in the Wild Card game knocking off the Cubs 2-1. The season came crashing down in the National League Division Series. The Milwaukee Brewers swept them, outscoring the Rockies 13 to 2 in the three game series. The Rockies thought they were building something special with Black as manager.
Colorado hasn’t improved since then. In 2019 they won 71 games. During the COVID shortened season their record stood at 26-34. In 2021, 74 wins and last year 68 was all they could muster. They are on pace to lose 100 games. The Rockies were better last year 80 games in with a record of 35-45. This season they are 31-49.
Black has shown he can’t manage this team. The Rockies team ERA stands at 5.66 29th in baseball. Only the Oakland Athletics are worse at 6.08. The starters aren’t doing their job with a MLB worst 6.44 ERA. The bullpen’s ERA is 4.82 27th in all of baseball. Looking at that, it shows why the Rockies are struggling and the reason Black should be gone.
Black might be let go soon even though he has 1 year left on his contract. The Rockies could use a new manager. The problem is even if they make a switch during the year, it’s not going to improve the team. Colorado isn’t going to earn a playoff spot since they are 13.5 games behind the L.A. Dodgers for the 3rd and final Wild Card spot. They are better off waiting until the year is over to make a change at manager. Even if they fire Black, they still would have to pay him the last year of his deal. General Manager Bill Schmidt will have a decision coming but it would be best to part ways with Black at the end of the year.
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