In a surprising twist, the Colorado Rockies are holding onto some familiar faces amidst a sea of changes. While the team has undergone significant upheaval in recent years, including the firing of manager Bud Black and the departure of general manager Bill Schmidt, they've decided to retain several key coaches. But here's where it gets interesting: this isn't just about keeping things the same. The Rockies are strategically reshuffling roles to create a sense of continuity while injecting fresh perspectives.
This week, the team announced that third base coach Andy Gonzalez and assistant hitting coach Jordan Pacheco will remain in their current positions. Meanwhile, Ron Gideon, previously the first base and outfield coach, is stepping into a newly created role as assistant bench coach. But is this enough to turn the tide for a team that's struggled to find its footing?
The Rockies have been on a losing streak, prompting a major overhaul. After Black’s departure in May, third base coach Warren Schaeffer took the helm as interim manager, with Gonzalez shifting from assistant hitting coach to Schaeffer’s former role. Pacheco, who started the season as the hitting coach for Triple-A Albuquerque, was promoted to assistant hitting coach for the big league squad during the same shake-up.
The front office vacuum left by Schmidt’s exit put everything on hold, including coaching decisions. It wasn’t until Paul DePodesta was hired as the new president of baseball operations in November that things began to move again. Schaeffer was officially named the permanent manager, and he’s since been assembling a staff of new faces, including pitching coach Alon Leichman, assistant pitching coach Gabe Ribas, bullpen coach Matt Buschmann, hitting coach Brett Pill, and bench coach Jeff Pickler.
And this is the part most people miss: While Gonzalez and Pacheco are returning, their current roles were only assigned in May as part of the mid-season shake-up. With Gideon’s role change, every coaching position has been reshuffled in the past eight months. It’s a delicate balance between stability and innovation, but will it pay off?
Gonzalez, a Rockies veteran of 11 seasons (mostly in the minors), became the assistant hitting coach in 2022 before moving to third base coach. His major league playing career spanned 2007 to 2009 with the White Sox, Cleveland, and the Marlins. Pacheco, who played in the majors from 2011 to 2016 with the Rockies, Diamondbacks, and Reds, joined Colorado’s minor league coaching staff in 2022 before his promotion.
Gideon, a 30-year Rockies veteran, has spent the last nine seasons on the big league staff, most recently as first base coach. His new role leaves one vacancy: the Rockies still need a first base coach before the season begins.
Here’s the controversial question: With so much turnover and reshuffling, are the Rockies truly building a cohesive team, or are they just rearranging deck chairs on a sinking ship? The retention of Gonzalez and Pacheco suggests a desire for continuity, but the constant role changes could also indicate uncertainty. What do you think? Is this the right strategy for the Rockies, or are they missing the mark? Let us know in the comments below!
