Colorado Rockies: An important decision looms in the dugout

There is a huge name entering into his final year of his contract in 2019 that the Colorado Rockies will need to determine if he is to be a part of the franchise for years to come. The past two seasons, this man has led the Rockies to consecutive playoff appearances for the first time in franchise history.

No, this isn’t about perennial All-Star and the face of the franchise, Nolan Arenado. It is the man in the dugout making all of the decisions. Manager Bud Black is heading into his third and final year of the contract he signed after the 2016 season and the Colorado Rockies‘ organization need to decide on his future.

The Rockies signed Bud Black in the winter of 2016 after he was fired midway through his eighth season as the manager of the San Diego Padres. In those seasons, he compiled a record of 649-713 with zero playoff appearances and was named the 2010 NL Manager of the Year.

Black took over for Walt Weiss who, in his final season as Rockies’ manager, went 75-87 in the 2016 season. Black quickly turned around the Rockies in 2017, leading them to a 87-75 record and a Wild Card appearance where they lost to the Arizona Diamondbacks.

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This past season, Black and the Rockies took a big step forward by going 91-72, forcing a NL West tie-breaker game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, as well as advancing to the divisional round of the playoffs where they were disappointingly swept by the Milwaukee Brewers in three games.

Being 31 games over .500 and leading the Rockies to consecutive playoff appearances for the first time in club history in his first two years and the Rockies’ skipper would likely mean Black is a lock to get a contract extension … but there have been some negatives.

Whether it was sticking with struggling Ian Desmond, carrying three inept catchers on the roster, a lack of offense down the stretch or the lack of playing time for some of the organization’s promising prospects, there has been issues to be critical of Black. Whether or not these decisions are to blamed on him or GM Jeff Bridich is another discussion in itself, but the issues may have cost the Rockies their first division title if not more.

Speaking of Bridich, here is what he said about Black and his contract status on Friday.

"“It’s the last guaranteed year, but there is a mutual option on there for 2020,” Bridich said during a conference call which Rox Pile attended. “Because of that, we don’t feel pressed to do anything. There’s a great appreciation for who Buddy is and what he’s done for us here. That’s not lost on us at all.“In due time, there will be conversations to what’s best for us and for him and his family in the future. All that being said, I think there are a lot of positive vibes all the way around on where it stands.”"

But make no mistake about it, Bud Black has turned this once playoff-starved franchise into a consistent contender the past two seasons and could hopefully put them over the top in 2019.  Don’t be surprised if there is a contract extension in his future, possibly before next season begins.