Don't blame German Marquez for his frustration with Rockies

The Colorado Rockies have been the laughingstock of not only the National League West in recent years, but of all Major League Baseball.

They stumbled out of the gate with the worst start in modern MLB history last season, going 4-21. Things didn't improve from there—they limped to a 43-119 finish with a staggering -424 run differential, another modern-era record.

Former Rockies starting pitcher German Marquez didn't hold back in a recent interview about his former team.

I'm excited to play with a team that wants to win.

Over the past ten years, the Rockies have been the second-worst team in baseball with a .431 win percentage—only the Chicago White Sox have fared worse at .428%.

He's right. After Colorado made back-to-back playoff appearances in 2017 and 2018, the front office failed to build on that momentum.

They made smart moves locking up key players like Kyle Freeland, Charlie Blackmon, and German himself, but their poor drafting and reluctance to pursue free agents or make trades ultimately hurt them in the long run.

Then you can look at how they squandered those postseason berths with the inexcusable trade of fan favorite Nolan Arenado, the Kris Bryant contract that's been a massive failure, their refusal to trade Trevor Story when they could've gotten a decent haul back, and the list goes on.

Marquez's contract expired after the 2025 season, and Colorado chose to let the right-hander test free agency. He ultimately signed a one-year deal with division rival San Diego Padres.

The 2021 All-Star finished his Rockies tenure with 1,068 strikeouts, which ranks first in franchise history. He also sits 3rd on the club in wins (68), 3rd in games started (200), and 3rd in innings pitched (1,142).

Marquez nailed what every Rockies fan has been thinking for the past decade without totally throwing them under the bus.

The previous front office never seemed serious about actually contending, and it showed in every careless detail.