The Colorado Rockies, perhaps one of the most dysfunctional franchises in MLB, made a good move this week.
They agreed to a contract extension with manager Bud Black, which covers him through the 2023 season.
The Rockies announced today that they have agreed to terms with Manager Bud Black on a one-year contract extension through the 2023 season. pic.twitter.com/B3JRopwldg
— Rockies Club Information (@RockiesClubInfo) February 8, 2022
Barring a dismissal, he will lead the Rockies at least for the next two campaigns.
While he is certainly not a top-ten manager, Black is viewed as a good skipper, and many of the things that happen in the organization are not his fault.
He does have some drawbacks: for example, his lack of trust in the young talent available in the organization.
However, he seems ready to reverse the trend, giving young second baseman Brendan Rodgers every chance of winning the job last year after his injury.
He also stuck with Garrett Hampson, Ryan McMahon, Raimel Tapia, and other young players in 2021, with mixed results.
The 64-year-old manager has a 349-359 record with the Rockies in five seasons, good for a .493 winning percentage.
It may seem mediocre, but that .493 winning percentage is actually the highest in the club’s history.
Black And The Rockies Want To Rekindle Some Of The Lost Magic
Black led the Rockies to the postseason in 2017 and 2018, his first two campaigns at the helm.
However, a series of things happened roster-wise and the Rockies are no longer competitive.
Charlie Blackmon declined, Nolan Arenado was traded, and now Trevor Story will likely depart via free agency once the lockout ends.
Besides German Marquez, there are no players on the roster who can perform at an All-Star level: maybe Austin Gomber and Rodgers can get there.
Black was heading for his third and final year on his deal, but Colorado acted quickly and extended his stay.
The former San Diego Padres’ skipper came in after the 2016 campaign to replace the departing Walt Weiss.
The Rockies didn’t have a particularly good 2021, with a 74-87 record.
They were 32.5 games behind the division leaders, the San Francisco Giants.
In 2022, the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Padres, and the Giants are once again expected to occupy the first three spots in the NL West.
There will not be much that Black and the Rockies can do to stop it.
A Development Year?
They blew a golden chance to bring in some prospects by not trading Story before the deadline, but now, they will have to use the season to develop their own players, both in the minors and majors.
Gomber (4.53 ERA in 115.1 innings) looks like he has another gear in him, while Marquez (4.40 ERA in 180 frames) remains the leader of the rotation and a nice trading chip if they want to move him.
As far as hitters go, Hampson has disappointed recently (.234/.289/.380 in 494 plate appearances), but Rodgers is promising, and Sam Hilliard could be if he cuts the strikeouts.
McMahon (23 homers) and CJ Cron (28 homers) will carry the offensive load.
Black, however, won’t have Jon Gray, who was one his best pitchers, around in 2022.
The season can be a challenge, but at least the team is showing faith in him.
I feel like everyone likes Bud Black, which is an impressive accomplishment by him, given how lame this franchise has been lately https://t.co/bRSrMiEXVh
— Conor McCormick-Cavanagh (@ConorMichael28) February 8, 2022
It’s not an everyday occurrence that a losing team extends its manager, but it’s definitely refreshing to see.
NEXT: 3 Free Agents Rockies Should Target This Offseason