Rockies GM Search Loses Top Front-Office Candidates

The Colorado Rockies’ much-anticipated search for a new head of baseball operations has hit an unexpected roadblock.

After parting ways with general manager Bill Schmidt following one of the worst seasons in franchise history, the Rockies seemed ready to name a replacement this week.

But a report from The Denver Post says their top two external candidates, Amiel Sawdaye of the Arizona Diamondbacks and Matt Forman of the Cleveland Guardians, are out of the running.

This sudden stall just raises more questions about the team’s hiring strategy, their timeline, and whether they’re really as committed to a fresh perspective as they told fans.

Rockies’ GM Search Hits a Wall

The Rockies’ front-office shakeup was supposed to kick off a new era, especially after three straight seasons with 100 or more losses — capped by a brutal 119-loss campaign in 2024.

Firing Bill Schmidt in early October felt like the first move toward reviving a struggling franchise.

The team said they’d look outside for leadership, hoping to bring in new ideas and finally break their old habit of just promoting from within.

Fans and analysts waited for a quick decision.

Interviews happened, with Sawdaye meeting team executives last Monday and Forman stopping by Coors Field on October 24.

Now, though, uncertainty hangs over the whole process, as both experienced candidates have been dropped with no real explanation.

Inside the Rockies’ Interview Process

Executive vice president Walker Monfort, son of owner Dick Monfort, has led the search, and Dick’s been in the interview room too.

This family-driven approach isn’t new for the Rockies, but their talk about hiring someone from outside felt like a real shift.

Sawdaye, who helped build the Diamondbacks’ playoff roster, and Forman, a sharp strategist from Cleveland, seemed like strong fits.

With both now out, the Rockies look stuck, and they’re not saying much publicly.

That silence just fuels more speculation about what’s happening behind closed doors, whether it’s internal disagreements, shifting priorities, or maybe some mystery candidate nobody’s mentioned yet.

The Timing Couldn’t Be Worse

This delay comes at a critical point in the MLB offseason.

The league’s annual general managers’ meetings start next week in Las Vegas, where execs lay the groundwork for trades, roster moves, and free-agent signings.

Without a head of baseball operations, the Rockies could fall even further behind their rivals as they try to shape the 2025 roster.

Pressure Mounts on the Front Office

Every day without a decision makes it harder for the Rockies to act in the offseason market.

Without a clear leader to set priorities and handle negotiations, trade chances and signings could just slip away.

This downtime might prove costly for a franchise desperate to reverse years of decline.

A Franchise at a Crossroads

The Rockies said they’d hire from outside to address constant criticism about their insular leadership style.

Internal promotions haven’t sparked the competitive edge needed in the tough National League West.

Now, with their first choices gone, the organization faces a real fork in the road.

Possible next steps for the Rockies include:

Fan Reactions and Expectations

Rockies fans, worn down by years of disappointment, see this GM search as a test of ownership’s willingness to actually change.

A late or uninspired hire could confirm doubts about the Monfort family’s interest in modern front-office strategies, analytics, and bold roster moves.

Conclusion: The Clock Is Ticking

The Colorado Rockies just wrapped up a season full of losses. They really can’t afford to drag their feet on vital offseason decisions.

Two respected external candidates are already off the table. The franchise needs to move fast to restore some confidence and make sure they’re well-represented at the GM meetings.

Will they hire from within, or look outside the organization? That choice is going to say a lot about the Rockies’ long-term plan—and honestly, whether winning baseball is actually part of it.

—

Would you like me to also provide **SEO keyword suggestions** specifically targeted at this blog post so it can rank better in search results? That could help boost your traffic.
 
Here is the source article for this story: Rockies’ top front-office candidates no longer in running for job, according to report