Following the 2016 season, the Colorado Rockies were coming off another lost year, their sixth since going to the playoffs in 2009. They managed to win 75 games and were on the rise thanks to a core of players and pitchers ready to pop, but with his contract expiring and perhaps some disagreements behind the scenes with general manager Jeff Bridich at the time, manager Walt Weiss announced he would be stepping down as the skipper of the Rockies.

From 2013-2016, Weiss inherited a Rockies team scuffling to figure things out. His laid-back style helped foster an environment for the Rockies to grow and give an exciting new position player group the room to develop into certified stars of the game. However, pitching was always the issue and the Rockies failed to get consistent results out of their arms to help them when ball games. So, Bridich chose to find a new manager with the hopes that it would be one that could help solve pitching in Colorado.

His search led him to hire former San Diego Padres manager Bud Black as the new manager beginning in 2017.

Black was advertised as the pitching whisperer in the rare designation as a former pitcher managing in the big leagues. Black had always been known as a solid arm during his big league career before he transitioned into the scouting game and later into coaching before eventually sitting the manager’s seat. He oversaw some solid years for the Padres while also serving in various other roles with the Los Angeles Angels among other things. With all the experience and his reputation around the league, the Rockies hoped that Black would be the man to foster a new era of Rockies baseball, one built on the exciting new pitching arms the team was about to unleash.

He found immediate success in 2017 and 2018 as the Rockies, led by a stellar young pitching staff and the established stars on the field, reached the playoffs in back-to-back seasons for the first time ever. Unfortunately, their lone win came in the 2018 Wild Card game against the Chicago Cubs, as the team fell short of winning the National League West for the first time in club history that year, reaching a game 163 against the Los Angeles Dodgers and ending with a three-game sweep at the hands of the Milwaukee Brewers.

Since then the Rockies have struggled immensely. The offense has been in steady decline, the once-solid pitching has dwindled, and the team has seemed quite rudderless since 2018 and yet all the while Black has weathered the storm, signing multiple extensions. On Tuesday, Black became the winningest manager in Rockies history with his 535th victory at the helm, surpassing Clint Hurdle.

Now that Black has taken that mantle, what’s next for the southpaw skipper?

Black is currently not under contract beyond 2024. In the last few years, the Rockies and Black agreed to one-year contracts in February on what has been described at times as a “rolling year-to-year contract” for the manager. In simple terms, it’s been understood that it would typically be Black’s job until he doesn’t want it anymore. During spring training it was reported that owner Dick Monfort had been pushing for an extension but there was no progress on a deal and the sides have been quiet on the matter ever since. There have been discussions between Black and general manager Bill Schmidt, but nothing much more is known.

Is 2024 the final year for Black as the manager or will the two sides come to agreement to keep him at the helm and build on his record?

There are arguments to be made for both sides. On one hand, Black has been a decent player’s manager and the Rockies value continuity more than anything else. Monfort loves Black and feels the desire to give him another chance at a playoff appearance. On the other hand, Black’s approach and view of the game are outdated and clash with the Rockies’ need to rebuild as an organization. He has mishandled rookies, and the bullpen, and shows a tendency to play underperforming veterans over promising rookies when given the chance.

There is no doubt that Black was a good hire for the Rockies in 2017 when the team was primed to open a window of contention and he clearly has the respect of many players. He was able to help shepherd them to the postseason but as time has gone by it’s become more apparent that he may not be the man for the job going forward. September has looked better for the Rockies because Black has been forced to play younger players. However, when the wins don’t truly matter at this time of year for a team like the Rockies, Black has stated his desire to win is the highest priority meaning that younger players aren’t necessarily the priority.

The Rockies have a slew of young players on the way that can make a big impact on the roster if utilized properly. Black is no longer the man for the job and the Rockies should hand the reigns over to a different voice. The Rockies have been doing the same thing for losing season after losing season and at some point a change has to be made. Black has served the Rockies valiantly and it’s time to let him walk way with dignity and have a clean break, using 2025 to turn a new leaf for the Rockies.