Poll: How Can The Rockies Best Improve Their Starting Pitching?

""We would like to add some stability to the rotation," said DePodesta in a phone interview with Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post. "I think that's obvious ... given our current situation." He went on to say that the team will consider trading from their bullpen and outfield depth to acquire starters, while also counting on improvement from existing starters."

"Its top starters this year by innings pitched were Kyle Freeland, Germán Márquez, and Antonio Senzatela. Freeland was once an above-average starter but logged a 4.98 ERA in 162 2/3 innings this year, including a 5.75 mark at home. Though he remains onboard as the nominal "ace," he will play 2026 at age 33 and is unlikely to recover his old form."

Colorado Rockies finished 2025 with 119 losses and one of modern baseball's worst seasons, driven largely by starting pitching failures. Rockies starters posted a 6.65 ERA, a league-worst 7.4% K-BB rate, and 1.79 HR/9 in 2025. Paul DePodesta prioritized rotation stability and signaled willingness to trade bullpen and outfield depth to acquire starters while expecting improvement from current pitchers and coaching. Half the season at high altitude exacerbates pitching challenges; since 2021 the rotation has a 5.60 ERA and 28.3 fWAR, including only 1.5 fWAR in 2025. Kyle Freeland, Germán Márquez, and Antonio Senzatela led innings but struggled significantly.

Read at MLB Trade Rumors