The Colorado Rockies have announced the resignation of General Manager Bill Schmidt following a series of poor seasons, including the disastrous 2025 campaign that ended with a record of 43-119, one of the worst in MLB history.

A search is now underway for an external candidate to replace Schmidt, marking a significant shift as the team has not looked outside since 1999, aiming to bring fresh perspectives and innovative strategies.

Schmidt, who had been with the team since 1999 and served as GM since 2021, never achieved a winning season and decided to step down, expressing optimism for better days ahead.

Team ownership, including owner Dick Monfort, expressed optimism about new leadership, emphasizing that a fresh voice is needed to improve the team's competitiveness and benefit the fans.

Monfort highlighted that this leadership change presents an opportunity for growth and to build a more competitive team, especially after a season that saw the Rockies finish 50 games behind the division leaders.

The team’s goal with this management change is to end a seven-year playoff drought by bringing in a new GM who can improve both short-term results and long-term success.

This shift in GM strategy is significant, as it signals a potential change in the team’s overall approach following back-to-back poor seasons and a record that narrowly avoided the worst in MLB history.

The new GM will face the challenge of improving a team ineligible for the 2026 MLB draft lottery due to having top-10 picks in the previous two drafts, adding urgency to the rebuild.

The poor results of the 2025 season appear to have prompted internal leadership changes, including the firing of manager Bud Black in May and the ongoing search for a new front-office leader.

The decision for Schmidt’s resignation is part of a broader review of the team’s management and future direction, aiming to reverse the recent string of disappointing performances.

The Rockies’ leadership, including EVP Walker Monfort, emphasized the importance of bringing in new perspectives to break the cycle of losing and to focus on both immediate improvements and sustainable success.

This management overhaul marks a potential strategic shift, as the team has maintained front-office stability for years, but now seeks outside expertise to revitalize the franchise.