Friday Rockpile: Rockies need a new vibe in 2025

Colorado Rockies news and links for Friday, December 20, 2024

In less than 100 days (98 to be exact), the Rockies will open the 2025 season.

In about 50 days, pitchers and catchers will report to Spring Training, and on Feb. 21, the Rockies will play their first Cactus League game against the Diamondbacks.

While there’s always the joy and hope of a new season to look forward to, it will also be strange not to have Charlie Blackmon out there.

Even though his first few seasons were plagued by injuries, Blackmon has been a Colorado fixture since 2011. Blackmon overlapped with Hall of Famer Todd Helton for three years with the Rockies after Helton ended his 17-year career in 2013. That means the Colorado Rockies have only played four seasons without Helton or Blackmon, and 2025 will be the first time since 1996 without either of them.

While this might feel like random trivia, it seems impossible to ignore the impact the club’s two longest-tenured players have had on the organization, most notably as leaders and in setting the atmosphere in the clubhouse.

Outside of their amazing talents, both men were also known for their intense work ethic, dedication to routines, and their seriousness. Whether they hit a homer, made a great play in the field, or celebrated a teammate’s accomplishments, it was rare to see smiles from Helton or Blackmon. Baseball wasn’t a game. It was a job and they were good at it.

As much as I appreciate their hard work and how it translated to outstanding careers, they were more lead-by-example types of players rather than charismatic, outgoing leaders. Their silence spoke volumes, but they weren’t big on speeches and emotional displays of joy or anger.

That vibe dominates the team makeup of the Rockies. Sprinkle in the seriousness of Troy Tulowitzki, Nolan Arenado and Trevor Story, and Rockies seem to have a type: strong and silent. Ryan McMahon is in the same vein, as is Kris Bryant, when he’s on the roster.

Sure, Blackmon could be goofy, but only outside of the game when his alter ego Chuck Nazty wasn’t in charge. While I am going to miss Blackmon’s clutch performances at the plate, his steadiness in the lineup and his chill vibe, I would love to see the Rockies start to set a new tone in 2025 and beyond.

The Rockies need some life. They are in a funk. They are held hostage by an insulated and micromanaging owner who refuses to change despite 32 years without a National League title, let alone a World Series Championship. With six straight losing seasons, including two consecutive years with over 100 losses, another quiet offseason is passing into another season where an early prediction has the Rockies going 57-105. Colorado currently stands at No. 29 in power rankings and is tied with the White Sox for the worst odds to win the World Series at 400-1.

Instead of the tried-and-failed stoic environment at 20^th and Blake, maybe the Rockies need to inject some life and fun. It’s time to rediscover the joy of baseball. Losing sucks. It’s nothing to laugh about, but serious isn’t working. What about trying a new vibe?

Maybe something more along the lines of Jason Giambi, Carlos González and Gerardo Parra. They brought joy and fun to the game and the fans loved them for it. Right now, Kyle Freeland is the emotional leader and he definitely shows his passion. As a lifelong Rockies fan and Colorado native, he’s great at it. But the Rockies need more players, especially position players, to bring the energy as well.

Maybe changing the atmosphere and lightening the mood will take some of the pressure off a guy like Nolan Jones, who had an amazing rookie season in 2023, but regressed with injuries and slumps in 2024. As much as he learned from Blackmon, he also has talked about how he loves Bryce Harper’s style of play.

“I think he plays with a fire and an energy that I love and try to play with as well,” Jones said at Rockies Fest in January. “Playing the game, trying to win, just having fun – I think letting your emotions out sometimes is cool.”

Zac Veen could also change the dynamics of the clubhouse for the better. The speedy outfielder, who draws a smiley face in the dirt before each at-bat, has a blast playing baseball. Already moved to the Rockies 40-man roster in November, Veen has drawn praise from Bud Black for having swagger and playing “with a youthful enthusiasm that is great and genuine.”

Another guy who could help is the recently signed LHP reliever Jefry Yan. Whether it was playing in Japan last year or in the Dominican Winter League this year, where he’s recorded 24 strikeouts in 22 appearances with a 1.45 ERA, Yan’s celebrations are epic.

He is clearly having a blast playing the game. Even though he only signed a Minor League deal with the Rockies, I hope he makes the team and infuses it with energy. The Rockies need his type, the kind with swagger and a happiness that’s contagious.

Colorado has a younger roster, the 11^th youngest in MLB with an average age of 27. It’s time for a new vibe as the next generation takes the lead. It may or may not lead to more wins, but at least it would be more fun.

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Rockies Mailbag: Can Colorado ever compete with big-spending Dodgers? | Denver Post ($)

Rockies beat reporter Patrick Saunders answers questions from fans, explaining the Rockies can’t compete with teams like the Dodgers financially or by getting free agents, they likely won’t make any other moves this offseason, he doesn’t expect Zac Veen to make his 2025 MLB until the second half of the season, and more.

Needle pointing up for 8 breakout stars of 2024 | MLB.com

The Rockies don’t find themselves in many positive national articles or best-of lists very often. However, the Rockies did land on this one with Ezequiel Tovar. Not only did he impress in his second season at the plate, with his glove and with his reliability, Tovar also got praise from Will Leitch for an even brighter future.

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