DePodesta’s Quiet Winter in Colorado Could Hinge on One Low-Risk Gamble
DENVER – The snow may be falling in the Rockies, but the anticipated flurry of front-office activity has been notably absent. For Paul DePodesta and his new regime, silence isn’t a sign of inactivity; it is a calculated pause. Instead of splashing cash on marquee free agents or dismantling the roster for parts, the organization has chosen a path of deliberate assessment, resisting the urge to make earth-shattering moves just for the sake of headlines.
The temptation for any new front office is to immediately put their stamp on a team, often by selling off high-value assets. In Colorado, all eyes turned to youngster Brenton Doyle, arguably the Rockies’ most valuable trade chip. Yet, Doyle remains in purple and black. DePodesta’s logic appears rooted in prudence: selling a cornerstone player without a deep-dive assessment of the current roster and farm system would be malpractice.
With more questions than answers surrounding the franchise, the strategy has shifted from radical demolition to careful curation. The organization understands that shipping off top talent now, while the team’s identity is still in flux, is a gamble they aren’t willing to take. Consequently, the offseason has been defined by a lack of movement, a stillness that suggests the real work is happening behind closed doors rather than on the transaction wire.
While the checkbook stays closed for superstars, DePodesta is reportedly eyeing the bargain bin for high-upside assets, specifically targeting players looking for redemption. This search has linked the Rockies to veteran first baseman and designated hitter LaMonte Wade Jr., a name that perfectly fits the profile of a low-risk, high-reward acquisition.
According to Bleacher Report’s Zachary D. Rymer, Colorado is a prime landing spot for Wade, alongside Houston and Washington. The interest stems from a belief in regression to the mean. Wade is coming off a dismal 2025 campaign split between the Giants and Angels, where his slash line plummeted to .167/.271/.254, eventually leading to his release.
However, the Rockies are looking past the recent struggles to the player Wade was just a year prior. In 2023 and 2024, he was a disciplined offensive presence, posting on-base percentages north of .370. The theory is simple: if Wade can rediscover even a fraction of that form at Coors Field, he transforms from a minor league signing into a legitimate trade asset. It’s a classic “flip” strategy—sign him cheap, rebuild his value, and move him at the deadline for future prospects.
“Wade isn’t ancient, and he isn’t far removed from posting a .376 OBP and 4.9 rWAR across 2023 and 2024. Of all the candidates to be picked up on minor league deals this winter, he might be the one with the most upside.” – Zachary D. Rymer, Bleacher Report
Rymer’s assessment underscores the “buy-low” philosophy DePodesta seems to be employing. The focus here isn’t on what Wade did in his worst season, but on the ceiling he established during his best. For a rebuilding team, that differential represents pure opportunity.
Rockies fans shouldn’t expect a parade of All-Stars walking through the doors of Coors Field this winter. The focus has clearly shifted to incremental value and asset management. Taking a flyer on LaMonte Wade Jr. won’t win the division in April, but if DePodesta’s instincts are correct, it could secure the prospects that help win it years down the road. It is a quiet strategy, but often, the quietest moves speak the loudest when the trade deadline arrives.
