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As Paul DePodesta enters his second season as president of baseball operations in Denver, the Colorado Rockies are looking to upgrade several areas, with the starting rotation standing out as a priority. Last offseason, DePodesta signed multiple veteran free-agent pitchers, but those moves largely failed to pan out. Meanwhile, the 2026 season saw young players like Cole Carrigg and TJ Rumfield establish themselves as key future pieces at crucial positions. However, as the postseason and regular season both demonstrate, pitching ultimately decides games.
One potential target for the Rockies this offseason is Boston Red Sox left-hander Patrick Sandoval, who embodies a low-risk, high-reward opportunity. Sandoval's path back to the majors has been defined by perseverance: he suffered a torn UCL in June 2024, missed the entire 2025 season recovering from Tommy John surgery, and finally returned to the big leagues in July—745 days after his last appearance. Despite his injury and recovery timeline, the Red Sox signed him to a two-year, $18.25 million contract in December 2024. Sandoval, who turns 30 on Sunday, struggled for Boston manager Chad Tracy, posting a 1-7 record with a 5.12 ERA over 70.1 innings. He spent the first six seasons of his career with the Los Angeles Angels.
Why Colorado Makes Sense
Sandoval is unlikely to re-sign with Boston, and if any pitcher could benefit from a one-year prove-it deal, it's him. For the Rockies and DePodesta, the appeal is clear: if Sandoval can demonstrate he can handle pitching at Coors Field, he could become a free-agent steal or a valuable trade chip at the deadline. Reshaping the starting rotation is a key focus this winter. The Michael Lorenzen experiment backfired this summer, Jose Quintana dealt with injuries, and Tomoyuki Sugano emerged as the most reliable pitcher for manager Warren Schaeffer. Kyle Freeland's future with the Rockies is also uncertain. Colorado could opt for a youth movement on the mound next season, but that might lead to another long year for Schaeffer and his staff. Sandoval represents a low-risk, high-reward addition who could lead the rotation on a prove-it deal—exactly the type of move DePodesta should pursue as the team continues its rebuild.