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DENVER, CO – AUGUST 09: Colorado Rockies owner Dick Monfort walks off the field before a game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on August 9, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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DENVER, CO – AUGUST 09: Colorado Rockies owner Dick Monfort walks off the field before a game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on August 9, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
For someone running a franchise more infamous for financial blunders than postseason success, Dick Monfort certainly has a lot to say about the Los Angeles Dodgers’ management. This time, his criticism centers on their “unregulated” payroll—a remark that carries its own irony coming from Monfort. While he continues to overlook the Colorado Rockies‘ shortcomings, an Insider wasn’t willing to let this one slide.
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Are the Dodgers really destroying baseball? Monfort certainly thinks so. During a recent press conference, Monfort didn’t mince his words: “Something’s got to happen. The competitive imbalance in baseball has gotten to the point of ludicrosity now. It’s an unregulated industry.”
But there’s just one problem: The Dodgers aren’t the reason why the Rockies are struggling to compete. Their inability to contend stems from their own management and flawed mindset. And who’s at the helm? Owner Monfort. This is precisely what Insider Ben Verlander pointed out on his Flippin’ Bats podcast. He said, “The biggest news that they had in spring training and this offseason is that their owner comes out and basically slams the Dodgers and says the Dodgers are bad for baseball. Why don’t you look in the mirror and realize what is actually bad for baseball here? It’s what you’re doing as owner of the Colorado Rockies.”
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Sadly for Monfort, facts support Verlander’s claims. The Rockies have a payroll of approximately $147.35 million, which is insufficient for competing in their own division. They have also made some very questionable deals over the seasons, such as the one with Kris Bryant, which has not paid off.
They also sent away Nolan Arenado to the Cardinals, where he is thriving. To add to this circus, the Rockies have not made the postseason since 2018 and have consistently found themselves at the bottom of the standings for a long time. At this point, even the fans are calling for the owners’ heads and demanding that the franchise be sold.
So, is the problem really the Dodgers, or is it a front office that keeps tripping over its own shoelaces? While Monfort shakes his fist at big spenders, the Rockies remain mired in mediocrity, weighed down by their own poor decisions. Maybe it’s time for ownership to stop blaming others and start addressing the mess they created.
Colorado Rockies take another hit with their second baseman sidelined
Just when the Rockies thought they had everything lined up for a solid start, baseball did what it does best—threw a curveball in the form of bad luck. A key piece of their infield puzzle has been sidelined due to an untimely run-in with a fastball. Now, manager Bud Black must scramble as Thairo Estrada joins the injury list.
It happened during their game against the Texas Rangers, when the Rockies’ second baseman was hit by a pitch on his wrist. As a result, Estrada suffered a non-displaced fracture in his right wrist. When asked about this, manager Black said, “He was having a good spring with the bat. It looked to be a really good fit. This is part of what happens in professional sports. It happens across the landscape of the game.” Well, what else could he have said?
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SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 02: Thairo Estrada #39 of the San Francisco Giants looks on from the on-deck circle against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Oracle Park on October 02, 2022 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
Estrada’s performance during spring training was very good before his injury. He was batting with an average of .400, with 7 RBIs and 3 steals. This strong performance helped him solidify his position as a starter for the Rockies. He had recently signed a one-year contract with the team for the 2025 season. But now, the Rockies are tasked to find a way to patch the hole at second base, with Kyle Farmer likely stepping in. But let’s be honest—replacing a .400 hitter in peak form isn’t exactly a seamless transition. With Opening Day looming, Colorado’s infield plans have taken an unexpected detour, reminding everyone that in baseball, the only certainty is uncertainty.
Written by
Edited by
Pratyusha Srivastava