Rockies Eye Veteran Starting Pitching Additions for 2026 Rotation

The Colorado Rockies head into the new season with an all-too-familiar headache: their rotation desperately needs some stability. After putting up the worst team ERA by a starting rotation since anyone started tracking the stat in 1913, the front office seems to be taking a more practical approach than usual.

This piece digs into why the Rockies want veteran “innings-eaters,” who those pitchers might be, and what it all says about where the franchise is headed under GM Josh Byrnes.

Rockies Rotation Reaches Historic Low

What happened in 2025 was rough. Colorado’s starting rotation posted a 6.65 ERA—the highest ever for a team rotation in MLB history.

For a franchise already known for pitching struggles at Coors Field, it felt like hitting rock bottom. GM Josh Byrnes didn’t sugarcoat things, saying the team just needs reliable innings to get through the year.

In this era, where every team hoards pitching depth, the Rockies often ran out of gas by midsummer. They leaned too hard on inexperienced arms and the bullpen just couldn’t keep up.

The Cost of Losing Veteran Stability

When Germán Márquez left in free agency, the rotation’s lack of depth became painfully obvious. He used to be a cornerstone, but now Kyle Freeland is the only real holdover.

Even Freeland’s recent performance hasn’t inspired much confidence.

Internal Options Offer Little Certainty

Freeland’s under contract through 2026, with a possible player option for 2027, but his numbers worry anyone paying attention. Over the last three years, he’s hovered around a 5.00 ERA—numbers you’d expect from a back-end starter, not an ace.

Ryan Feltner, who some hope can be a mid-rotation guy, owns a career 5.19 ERA and doesn’t have the strikeout stuff teams want these days. Antonio Senzatela moved to the bullpen, and with his option likely declined, he’s out of the rotation picture.

Young Arms Still Finding Their Way

The Rockies do have some interesting young pitchers on the 40-man roster. But so far, promise hasn’t turned into results.

Chase Dollander, Tanner Gordon, McCade Brown, Carson Palmquist, Gabriel Hughes, and Bradley Blalock have barely pitched in the majors, or their ERAs are north of 7.00. Byrnes says pushing these guys too fast would backfire.

The front office wants to let young pitchers develop at their own pace. That might mean relying on older, less exciting arms for now, but it’s probably the right call.

Why Veterans Make Sense for Colorado

Pitchers usually avoid Coors Field if they can. The thin air and huge outfield gaps punish even small mistakes.

Add in the Rockies’ reluctance to shell out big contracts, and it’s no wonder landing top free-agent pitchers is a constant struggle. Byrnes seems to have accepted this reality.

He’s focusing on short-term, low-risk deals that might attract veterans near the end of their careers. For some, taking on the challenge of Colorado could be a fitting way to go out.

Possible Free-Agent Targets

There are a few names that fit what the Rockies want: experienced starters who can eat innings without messing up payroll flexibility.

• Wade Miley
• Miles Mikolas
• Alex Cobb
• Jose Quintana
• Patrick Corbin
• Martín Pérez

These guys probably won’t fix everything overnight. But they’d bring some much-needed steadiness and keep the younger arms from being thrown into the fire before they’re ready.

Trades Remain Unlikely

Blockbuster trades always sound exciting, but let’s be real. Landing a top starter like José Berríos or Kodai Senga would mean huge financial commitments, tricky no-trade clauses, and gutting a farm system that’s already thin.

With payroll limits in mind, Byrnes seems to be making a calculated move: stabilize things, regain some credibility, and let player development play out without piling on the pressure.

A Short-Term Fix With Long-Term Intent

This strategy probably won’t thrill fans who crave big-name signings. Still, it shows a real grasp of what Colorado’s up against.

If the Rockies play it smart, bringing in veteran innings-eaters could actually help them reset their pitching foundation. One steady start at a time—that’s how you build something that lasts, right?

 
Here is the source article for this story: Rockies Interested In Veteran Rotation Additions