The Rockies on Wednesday announced Bill Schmidt is out as senior vice president and general manager, signaling a significant organizational shift for a franchise plagued by inconsistency and fan frustration.

With Schmidt’s departure, the Rockies will begin a search for a new head of baseball operations immediately.

“After a number of conversations, we decided it is time for me to step aside and make way for a new voice to guide the club’s baseball operations,” Schmidt said in a news release.

“We are setting our sights on finding the right leader from outside our organization who can bring a fresh perspective to the Rockies and enhance our baseball operations with a new vision, innovation, and a focus on both short and long-term success,” executive vice president Walker Monfort said in the release. “This change delivers an opportunity to shape the future of our club and move forward into a new era of Rockies baseball.”

Schmidt joined the club in 1999. He oversaw the amateur draft for years and played a role in shaping the team’s farm system in a role that eventually became vice president of scouting. Under his watch, Colorado drafted and developed key players such as Troy Tulowitzki, Nolan Arenado and Trevor Story. His background in scouting helped him earn respect within the organization, even during turbulent stretches.

When Jeff Bridich resigned as general manager in April of 2021, Schmidt was promoted to interim general manager before he was named the permanent general manager in October of that year. Rockies ownership praised Schmidt at the time for bringing stability and a deep understanding of the franchise’s internal operations.

Despite some positives, Schmidt’s tenure was marked by many of the same criticisms that plagued the Rockies under Bridich — namely, a lack of organizational direction and confusing roster moves.

One of the most criticized decisions came in March 2022 when the Rockies signed free agent Kris Bryant to a seven-year, $182 million contract. While Bryant was a former MVP and World Series champion, the deal raised eyebrows because the Rockies were not viewed as a contender at the time and many within the industry believed Colorado overpaid for Bryant’s services. Injuries and underperformance quickly turned the Bryant signing into an albatross, leaving fans questioning the team’s strategy.

Another point of contention during Schmidt’s tenure was the Rockies’ unwillingness to fully embrace a rebuild. While other struggling teams traded veterans for prospects, Schmidt often held on to players past their peak trade value. The Rockies, for example, declined to move veterans such as reliever Daniel Bard and first baseman C.J. Cron at moments when both could have conceivably netted a decent return. That reluctance left the team with a roster that kept declining and little clarity on whether the Rockies were truly rebuilding and trying to contend.

From 2022 through 2025, the Rockies compiled the worst cumulative record in baseball, consistently finishing last in the NL West while posting a 231-417 record (.357 winning percentage). His tenure includes three consecutive 100-loss seasons, the only three in franchise history.

Injuries, underperforming veterans and a lack of pitching depth defined the Schmidt years. Despite playing in hitter-friendly Coors Field, the Rockies’ offense often ranked near the bottom of the league in many categories, further frustrating a fan base accustomed to offensive firepower.

The Rockies this season finished with 597 runs scored, the second-lowest among MLB’s 30 teams, while striking out the second-most of any team (1,531 times, an average of 9.45 per game).

With Schmidt’s departure, the Rockies now face a critical decision about their future direction. Will ownership finally embrace a modern, analytic-driven approach to roster building, or will the Rockies continue to lean on internal promotions and scouting-heavy philosophies?

The Rockies are one of two MLB franchises never to win a division title (along with the Miami Marlins) and their lone World Series appearance came in 2007. Since a 2009 appearance in the National League Division Series, they have made the postseason only twice, in 2017 and 2018. As the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres continue to outspend and outmaneuver them, and as the Arizona Diamondbacks and San Francisco Giants make big trades and sign well-respected veterans, Colorado must figure out how to realistically contend with their National League West rivals.

Schmidt leaves behind a complicated legacy. He was a loyal organizational soldier who gave the Rockies decades of service, and his eye for amateur talent will remain respected. But as general manager, his inability to craft a coherent vision for the franchise ultimately defined his tenure. The Bryant contract, in particular, will stand as a cautionary tale about spending without a suitable roster surrounding any big contract.

For Rockies fans, Schmidt’s dismissal brings hope for a new era — one that could bring the clarity and innovation that have long been missing in Denver. Whether ownership is ready to make those bold changes remains the most pressing question.