The Rockies are looking outside the organization for a new front office leader. Brittany Ghiroli of The Athletic reports that they have interviewed James Click of the Blue Jays, Scott Sharp of the Royals and Matt Forman of the Guardians. It’s possible that the club has spoken with others but that’s at least three external candidates to have interviewed.
Colorado just wrapped up a third straight season of at least 101 losses. They haven’t had a winning record since 2018. Understandably, changes are necessary, even for a famously loyal and insular club like the Rockies. Manager Bud Black was fired in May. A few weeks ago, it was revealed that general manager Bill Schmidt and the club would also be parting ways. When the Rockies announced the Schmidt news, they noted that they would be looking for an external candidate to be the new head of their baseball operations. That’s a notable shift for the Rockies, who have received criticism for always promoting from within. It seems they are following through on the plan to look elsewhere, based on these potential candidates.
Of the three, Click is the one with experience running a front office. After many years working for the Rays, the Astros hired Click to be their general manager going into the 2020 season. The Astros were already a good club at that time but previous general manager Jeff Luhnow had been fired in the wake of the sign-stealing scandal.
While Click had a head-start by inheriting a very strong team, he at least kept the good times rolling. They made it to the ALCS in the shortened 2020 season. In 2021, they won the West and made it to the World Series, though they lost to Atlanta. They managed to win it all in 2022, toppling the Phillies in the World Series that year.
Despite that continued success, Click and owner Jim Crane reportedly didn’t get along behind the scenes, leading to a rare instance of a club parting ways with a front office leader on the heels of a World Series title. A few months after leaving Houston, Click joined the Blue Jays as vice president of baseball strategy. He was reportedly a candidate for the Red Sox job a couple of years ago before pulling himself out of the running due to family considerations. The Sox eventually hired Craig Breslow to run their front office.
Sharp has been with the Royals since 2006, initially hired in a player development role. He got the assistant general manager title in 2015 and later added senior vice-president to his nameplate. Years ago, he received reported interest from clubs like the Mets and Angels. Last winter, he was connected the Giants general manager job working under president of baseball operations Buster Posey. Sharp withdrew his name from the running due to family considerations and Zack Minasian ultimately got that job. Last month, Sharp was connected to the Nationals’ front office search, before they hired Paul Toboni as president of baseball operations.
Forman joined Cleveland back in 2013 in a scouting role, getting promoted to assistant general manager after the 2016 season. He later added the title of executive vice-president to his office door. Like Sharp, he was connected to the Washington job last month before Toboni was hired.
Time will tell if any of these three are frontrunners or if they are just some of many names under consideration. What is also unknown is how much interest these three, or front office candidates in general, will be interested in joining the Rockies. Building a winner in Colorado will be a unique challenge. The altitude conditions are famously awful for pitchers. Even the hitters face a unique challenge, as breaking balls move differently in the mountains than at sea level. That means the bats are constantly adjusting when going on the road and back, leading many Rockies to have very wide platoon splits. It’s also been supposed that the thin Denver air present difficulties for injury management.
Those particular conditions may scare off some executives. On the other hand, the unique conditions might also attract a certain individual who is drawn to solving the puzzle and getting the recognition that would go along with that feat. There’s also the standard observation that there are only 30 jobs running a front office, so an individual who wants such a job may not want to close any doors. Teams generally don’t stand in the way of their employees interviewing for promotions elsewhere, so it’s unlikely the Jays, Royals or Guardians would stand in the way of these guys pursuing the job.
Photo courtesy of Troy Taormina, Imagn Images
That’s a great start for sure. As a die hard Blue Jays and Rockies fan, and former fansided writer for both ball clubs, seeing the connection with James Click is an interesting one. Matt Forman is also an interesting candidate. There will be far more coming though.
Absolutely nothing matters if Monfort is going to continue to meddle in baseball side affairs. They’ve had very solid baseball ops people in the organization starting with their inception which was overseen by many of the same individuals who helped build some excellent Montreal teams – but they were all ran off. The same baseball ops people who developed a pitching staff that was enough to allow them their only World Series appearance at elevation.
Nothing matters unless the new GM demands control of baseball operations.
“Might be an interesting hire..He did bring in the young core”…
It seems doubtful to me that James Click had much if any real authority or influence on the World Series winning Astros.
If he did, wouldn’t he already be employed or have much better employment options than the Colorado Rockies?
Definitely didn’t scout Valdez
There are certain types of personalities that would consider the Rockies job to be the best one in baseball. Who would consider running the Dodgers boring and risk-free, with nowhere to go but down.
Jeff luhnow built the astros team. His fingerprints are still all over it today.
Hard to believe they are that progressive all of a sudden! Was Jim Bowden not available?
He’s too busy writing up fantasy trade scenarios.
James Click would be a good hire. He comes from Tampa’s front office, he’d make food changes to the way they draft and develop players.
Agreed. Would be a fascinating hire.
Perhaps a sign the Rockies are looking to turn the corner on development?
Who would want to manage that train wreck/dumpster fire?
Only 30 of these positions in the entire world and it pays pretty well. With some practiced personal frugality, it could be generational wealth pay.
How many GM have the Rockies had in their existence? Four in 33 years. This is almost certainly a 6-7 year gig if you don’t totally mess it up.
Lots of guys. It’s the ultimate name-maker. What a great challenge! Just putting in a 21st century scouting and analytics department adds 10 wins easy.
When was he a candidate for the Red Sox job, I have no memory of that. I’ve likely just forgotten, but I thought that would be more memorable.
What about Red Forman?
It’ll take a lot more to turn things around for the Rockies than his foot up their…uh, you get the idea.
The organization has too many asses that need a foot in them, even for him
As an Astros fan, I am hoping James Click gets another shot. He’d have a heck of a challenge with the Rockies. Best of luck to him, should he get the gig.
Click certainly would be a step up, especially if they’re looking to expand their analytics department, which I’m not even sure exists!
RobM – a scouting or analytics department disappears quickly when your owner overrides everything trying to win the 2016 all over again by signing Kris Bryant.
Very refreshing as a Rockies fan to see these outside candidates finally
For the past five years at least, the Rockies have had the best talent, manager and general manager in baseball. Fans have enjoyed the Rockies and no one wants any changes. This has been the best club in baseball and lets not hastily make any changes.
James Click is very strong in the analytics field which the Rockies need to build up. I know there will be more interviews with other candidates and follow ups with those they are going to consider. 2025 was the 1st year the Rockies used Trajekt for their hitters so hopefully that great tool will add to the offense. Learning to pitch at alltitude is the biggest challenge. Whoever gets the job will hopefully get the support they need to right the ship. There was a good run 2007-2010 and the loyal Rockies fans would sure like to see that return.
CLICK it or ticket!
Until ownership moves into modern baseball and hires baseball minds with a strong analytical background….nothing changes here….worse run team in baseball hands down. Last good years were when Dan O’Dowd was GM…..
It isn’t “supposed” that altitude slows recovery time, it’s a scientific fact
Tough sledding for a new GM. Hires include a new GM staff, manager, coaches, analytical staff. Plus the new GM has to dramatically upgrade their behind the scenes training equipment and facilities to truly compete.
MLBTR, why no mention of the coaching staff non-contract renewals?