DENVER (KDVR) — On Wednesday morning, the Colorado Rockies announced they are parting ways with General Manager Bill Schmidt.
The Rockies posted their worst season in franchise history, as well as one of the worst seasons ever, which is also a record-setting third consecutive season with at least 100 losses.
“After a number of conversations, we decided it is time for me to step aside and make way for a new voice to guide the club’s baseball operations,” said Schmidt in a press release on Wednesday. “It’s been an honor to serve the Rockies family for over 25 years. I’m thankful to the Monfort family for the opportunity, to my family for their constant support, and our staff for their tireless dedication. Better seasons are ahead for the Rockies and our great fans, and I look forward to seeing it come to life in the years ahead.”
The Rockies said they will immediately start an external search for a new head of baseball operations.
Schmidt had been with the Rockies for just over 25 years. He initially joined the team as the director of scouting on Oct. 1, 1999. He spent more than 20 years leading the scouting department for the team.
On Oct. 2, 2021, he was appointed as the team’s general manager after holding the role of interim general manager for five months. Schmidt became only the fourth general manager ever for the Rockies.
“Bill has been an integral part of the Rockies family for over 25 years with countless contributions to the organization over that time,” said Rockies Owner, Chairman and CEO Dick Monfort. “We are deeply grateful for his service, his friendship and his dedication and wish him and his family nothing but the best in the future.”
The Rockies are in a transitional period, after trading away several key players and readjusting some of the positions in the coaching staff and the front office.
“As with any transition, Bill’s departure allows our club to seek a new leader of our baseball department, experienced in areas where we know we need to grow within the operation. A new voice will benefit our organization as we work towards giving our fans the competitive team they deserve,” said Monfort.
The Rockies went 43-119 this year, which was only two losses away from tying the worst record for a team in the modern era, currently held by the 2024 Chicago White Sox, who went 41-121.
The franchise parted ways with manager Bud Black and bench coach Mike Redmond after the worst start to a season in MLB history. Those two were replaced by Warren Schaeffer, the former third base coach, as interim manager, and Clint Hurdle as interim bench coach.
Greg Feasel, the longtime president and COO of the Rockies, announced he would step down at the conclusion of the 2025 season.
After Schmidt’s departure, the Rockies now sit in the unique position of filling in key roles in the recently gutted franchise, without the watchful eye of a general manager. Manager and coach hires would typically be signed off on by the general manager, so this project just got pushed back one step further.
Now the Rockies are in a race against the clock to fill out these positions by next season, while also having enough time to get everybody integrated before game one.
Fortunately, with the Rockies’ record of 43 wins, they have no postseason baseball to worry about. Even if they reached 50 wins next season, the two seasons combined would hardly see them lock in a playoff spot against teams that won 90-plus games this year.
Want more insights? Join Working Title - our career elevating newsletter and get the future of work delivered weekly.
