Seriously, what the heck are the Colorado Rockies doing?

DENVER, CO - AUGUST 10: Manager Bud Black of the Colorado Rockies scratches his head during the fourth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Coors Field on August 10, 2020 in Denver, Colorado. The Diamondbacks defeated the Rockies 12-8. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - AUGUST 10: Manager Bud Black of the Colorado Rockies scratches his head during the fourth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Coors Field on August 10, 2020 in Denver, Colorado. The Diamondbacks defeated the Rockies 12-8. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

Despite a few head-scratching decisions around playing time and bullpen management, I don’t tend to blame Colorado Rockies manager Bud Black for the team’s predicament. Like most in the baseball world, I affix that blame to general manager Jeff Bridich, the team’s ownership, and the collective front office.

However, in a recent conference call, Black gave us a glimpse into what the front office is doing —or not doing — and it was not encouraging.

Black stated that he still believes this team is a contender and, while to most fanbases that would be good news, to many Rockies fans, it sounds like the same repeated talking points we have heard the last two years, all while watching the team fall apart. And it likely means another rough season is ahead where the team won’t make any significant moves toward contending or rebuilding.

But let’s take him at his word for a second. Perhaps the front office has something up their collective sleeve. I mean, surely they must have some plan to take a team that was one of the worst in baseball the past two seasons and convert them into sudden contenders?

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Unfortunately, it seems the biggest “impact player” the Rockies might add this offseason is the possible return of outfielder Kevin Pillar. And while Pillar had a decent season for the Rockies, his return will certainly not push the team over the edge. After all, he was already on the team last year when the Rockies couldn’t win a game to save their lives.

Are we supposed to believe that bringing him back is the answer to returning to contention? If the team really wants to contend, the front office is going to need to do a lot more than just bring back Pillar. But we all know they won’t.

On the other hand, if the team is not going to contend, then re-signing Pillar makes no sense as he would only take playing time away from younger players. But that has seemed to be the Rockies’ philosophy the past couple seasons — try to conduct a team rebuild with players in their mid-30’s.

Does anyone actually know what this front office is trying to do? They are sitting still while the world passes them by. They refuse to make any move that would actually help them contend, but also delay any opportunity for younger players to get a chance at regular playing time. They let DJ LeMahieu walk … but sign Daniel Murphy. They cut ties with David Dahl … but pursue Pillar. They gave an aging mediocre shortstop $70 million dollars to play first base. And when they can’t overpay for a veteran, they find a minor league journeyman to block young talent instead.

I’ll ask it again: Does anyone actually know what this front office is trying to do? Are they trying to win? Doesn’t look like it. Are they rebuilding? Again, no. What’s the plan? What’s the endgame Because, right now, it looks like the front office is just as lost as we are.

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