Colorado Rockies: Looking at the positives under Jeff Bridich

Jeff Bridich took over as Colorado Rockies general manager following the 96-loss 2014 seashad on. The franchise was desperate for a leader and searching for direction.

Less than 10 months into the job, Bridich changed the culture and direction of the team by trading its often-injured and seemingly disgruntled star, Troy Tulowitzki. This was followed up two years later by the hiring of manager Bud Black. Bridich gave the Rockies an “adult in the room” and a direction they had lacked since the Blake Street Bombers.

With what seems to be complete autonomy from Dick Monfort, Bridich has increased payroll every season and operates under his own discretion. Coming off a Wild Card berth and sitting atop the National League West heading into June, the Rockies’ old ways of being relevant until the Denver Broncos start mini camp are a thing of the past.

Has Bridich cemented himself as one of the games better GMs, or are some of his moves leading toward a worrisome trend? First, let’s take a look at some of the positives.

PROS: The Tulo trade

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Bridich started his reign with one giant unspoken cancer, Tulowitzki. Looking to make his mark, Bridich traded Tulo midway into the 2015 season, signifying that it wasn’t business as usual at 20th and Blake. If Tulo was dispensable, anyone could go.

Without the pressure to live up to Tulo’s expectations, the Rockies young core seemed to play at ease, increasing their win total in every year since Bridch took over. The Rockies were in rebirth. They focused on guys who wanted to be in Denver. Guys who wanted to win here, like Charlie Blackmon, Nolan Arenado and Carlos Gonzalez.