Face it, the Colorado Rockies GM is not on the hot seat in 2020

Whether you like it or not, Colorado Rockies fans, general manager Jeff Bridich is not on the hot seat as the offseason ticks down toward the start of the 2020 campaign.

A New York Post article from over the weekend listed the Colorado Rockies general manager as one of 10 GMs from around Major League Baseball who is on the hot seat based on last year’s team performance. But it’s not just last year that needs to be looked at overall here. The point? Last season’s failure isn’t enough to wipe out back-to-back postseason appearances for the first time in franchise history.

Have there been some questionable decisions when it comes to recent Rockies contracts and free agent signings? Oh absolutely. The “super bullpen” has, for the most part, been a bust (those defending Bridich will quickly point out how Wade Davis and his league-leading 43 saves last season) and Ian Desmond‘s long-term contract based on his versatility and ability to hopefully pick up the intricacies of playing first base will go down as some of the more head-scratching decisions made by Bridich.

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But is that enough to put Bridich on the hot seat? Simply put, as long as the Rockies were winning and making the postseason, any heat could be turned way down. And, when injuries ravaged the team last season, it could be said that losing an entire Opening Week rotation (four out of five to season-ending injuries) and an All-Star outfielder for the season was enough to give him a pass for a down 2019 season.

Is Bridich on the hot seat right now? It’s highly unlikely. Will he be if the Rockies don’t bounce back in 2020? It’s unlikely as well. You see, all of those “super bullpen” deals, as well as the Daniel Murphy contract, expire after next season (provided highly unlikely options aren’t exercised). With a new TV deal kicking in 2021 and most of those questionable, pricey contracts going away (with the exception of Desmond, which ends in 2021 with an option for 2022), the Rockies will not only have the chance to sign All-Star shortstop Trevor Story to a long-term deal but also rebuild the roster with more financial flexibility.

Yes, Bridich backed the Rockies into this financial corner that will hamstring the team through next season. But there’s very likely still enough grace left in the tank after a couple of Rocktober runs to get him through what could be another tough season in 2020.

It may not be what you want to hear (and it may not be the way it should be), but it’s the truth … and it’s something to prepare for as the offseason keeps moving forward.