An SB Nation analysis says the 2026 Rockies improved after their 43-119 2025 season as roster turnover raised the floor: 25 players with meaningful playing time last year are out of the club’s major-league picture, and only six spent most of the year in MLB.
The departures included 12 position players and 13 pitchers, whose 2025 rWAR totaled -10.8. Traded contributors Ryan McMahon (1.2 rWAR) and Jake Bird (0.5) were exceptions; the other 23 departures combined for -12.5 rWAR.
Ten of the 25 are mostly in the high minors or had brief MLB cameos; five are playing elsewhere, and four have had no 2026 game action. Cubs reliever Ryan Rolison is the clearest success, with a 3.02 ERA over 62.2 innings. The article says further winter roster moves are expected to be more targeted because fewer obvious negative-value spots remain.
