It’s a familiar refrain Rockies fans tell me.

“Owner Dick Monfort is a cheapskate,” say the dissatisfied. “Fans continue to flock to Coors Field, but he doesn’t invest in the team on the field.”

That criticism reached a crescendo recently when I reported that the Rockies payroll would be affected in 2025.

The criticism is not supported by facts.

However, it is more than fair to criticize as The Rockies have spent their money. And we’re not just talking about scratching your head, seven-year, $172 million contract they gave to Kris Bryant before the 2022 season.

Colorado’s payroll has virtually matched its mid-market status for several years. In 2018, their final playoff season, the Rockies’ total payroll was $143.9 million. (according to Spotrac) He ranked 13th in the majors. In 2019, its $157.1 million payroll ranked 11th; In 2023, its $171.0 million payroll ranked 14th.

But in 2024, when the club lost more than 100 games for the second year in a row, its payroll fell to $147.4 (17th). Like most major league teams that do not own their own television networks, the Rockies’ money flow was interrupted by The disappearance of regional sports networks.. Look for that trend to continue.

I predict that after the Rockies make a couple of offseason moves and release some players (right-hander Cal Quantrill, with his projected $9 million salary, is the player most likely to be traded), the payroll could fall up to $130 million. Remember: The club will no longer have Charlie Blackmon’s $13 million contract on its books.

Much depends on whether the team adds a veteran bat and a veteran reliever, but as Colorado’s lowest-cost team youth movement If he reaches full strength, he will likely rank 20th out of 30 teams in total payroll.

It’s the right approach…for now.

The club should save resources to invest in young big leagues like Gold Glove outfielder Brenton Doyle and prospects who have the opportunity to become the stars of tomorrow. I refer to players as pitchers. Chase Dollander and Carson Palmquist, as well as gardeners Zac Veen and Yanquiel Fernandezshould they develop as the Rockies hope.

General manager Bill Schmidt and management made a shrewd move last spring by signing shortstop Ezequiel Tovar to a seven-year, $63.5 million contract extension. The deal includes a team option for 2031 that could increase the deal to $84 million over eight seasons. Tovar has a chance to be the best shortstop in franchise history, so the contract seems like a bargain.

Let’s face it: the Rockies are never going to challenge financial giants like the Mets, Dodgers, Yankees and Phillies. That doesn’t mean the Rockies can’t compete, but going forward they have to get better at developing their own players.

In 2024, as they moved toward their 61-101 record, the Rockies spent $2.41 million per win, the 14th most in the majors. Not surprisingly, the Mets were ranked No. 1. Their $317.8 million payroll resulted in an 89-73 record and a berth in the National League Championship Series. The Mets spent $3.57 million per win.

Of course, the Mets and Rockies are apples and oranges. But five playoff teams with lower overall payrolls than the Rockies also spent significantly less per win: Kansas City ($1.42 million), Milwaukee ($1.24 million), Baltimore ($1.21 million), Cleveland ($1.16 million) and Detroit ($1.15 million).

To end its losing tradition, Colorado has to stop making stupid decisions with its payroll.

Topping the list, of course, was Monfort’s decision to give Bryant that mega deal. I think the Bryant signing was Monfort’s attempt to “make amends” in the wake of the unpopular Nolan Arenado trade in 2021. Monfort grossly overpaid for star power even when other teams knew Bryant’s star was on the way. was turning off.

Bryant is still on the books for four more years and $104 million.

But it wasn’t just the Bryant deal that had me scratching my head. I understand that Blackmon is a beloved icon, but there was no reason, beyond sentimentality, to pay him. $13 million for its final season. The Pirates gave Andrew McCutcheon, a similar player, a one-year, $5 million contract.

Near the trade deadline in 2022, amid trade rumors, closer Daniel Bard signed a two-year, $19 million contract to remain with the team through 2024. At the time, the right-hander was 3- 3 with 21 saves and a 1.91 ERA in 37 games. But he was also 37 years old and had a history of anxiety problems.

In 2023, when his anxiety issues resurfaced and arm injuries emerged, Bard pitched poorly (4.56 ERA, one save) and Injuries prevented him from launching in 2024. The Rockies’ illusions and decision not to trade Bard came back to haunt them.

Considering the Rockies’ current reality, a relatively smaller payroll makes sense. The time to spend big was in 2018, when the core of a powerful team was already formed. Unfortunately, they didn’t.

Six years later, the Rockies believe they are beginning a bright new era. We’ll see. But one thing is certain: they can’t keep making monetary mistakes.

Cost per Major League wins

(Click here to view the chart on mobile.)

Figures in millions of dollars | # Playoff teams | Fountain: Spotrac.com

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