Colorado’s baseball franchise, the Colorado Rockies, told season‑ticket holders on Tuesday that ticket prices will rise about 12% for the 2027 season. Club President Walker Monfort and baseball‑operations chief Paul DePodesta used the end‑of‑season news conference at Coors Field to balance the team’s modest on‑field progress with the disappointing 58‑104 record, the fourth straight season with at least 100 losses.
Why the price hike?
Monfort explained that the Rockies have kept ticket prices relatively flat in recent years, while the league average increase sits near 4.5% annually. The new pricing is intended to narrow the gap between Colorado’s revenue and that of mid‑market peers, allowing the organization to invest more heavily in scouting, player development, front‑office technology and overall competitiveness.
Team outlook for 2027
DePodesta emphasized that the organization expects a “significant leap” in the standings next year, though he cautioned that the exact outcome remains uncertain. The front office is already moving quickly on talent acquisition; all four players acquired at the trade deadline reached the majors by August or September, and the club plans to continue adding impact players rather than waiting several years for a farm system to mature.
Pitching remains the biggest challenge. After the deadline deals, the Rockies’ starting rotation posted an ERA around 7.00, and the team’s run differential in the first two innings was worse than in the remainder of the game. DePodesta labeled the rotation a “systemic failure” and said the club is rethinking its traditional staff structure, exploring a model that could involve five starters and eight relievers, with each starter expected to go six innings – a goal he admits may be unrealistic given current personnel.
Where the ticket money may go
DePodesta said spending on scouting, player development, the front office and technology will be “equal, if not even larger” than last offseason, his first year with the club. He noted that ownership has given the green light to pursue these initiatives, suggesting that a portion of the ticket increase will fund those efforts.
Additional updates
- Ownership: Monfort denied rumors that the Monfort family plans to sell a majority stake to the Penner Sports Group, which owns the Denver Broncos. He confirmed the family will remain the primary owners.
- Kris Bryant: The former MVP did not play this season. DePodesta said the Rockies will build the roster as if Bryant will not be part of the lineup.
- Manager Warren Schaeffer: DePodesta praised Schaeffer for restoring belief in the clubhouse. Schaeffer is entering the final year of his two‑year contract, with no comment yet on a possible extension.
Fans can look forward to a more competitive product on the field, but the upcoming season may also be affected by a looming labor dispute that could impact the start date of the 2027 campaign.
Original reporting: K2 Radio (Casper) — read the source article.
