Pose a Rockies — or MLB — related question for the Rockies Mailbag.

With Adael Amador, Sterlin Thompson, Ryan Ritter, Dyan Jorge, etc. coming up the pipeline, what is the situation with Brendan Rodgers? Will he get traded for arms? Will some of the prospects get traded? What other clogged positions could be alleviated through trade?

— Jackson Esplin, Westminster

Jackson, I touched on this topic in a previous mailbag, but I’ll revisit it here.

Rodgers, the 2022 National League Gold Glove second baseman, was the subject of serious trade discussions last winter when the Rockies negotiated with the Marlins and Mariners. The Rockies targeted Edward Cabrera, the Marlins’ 25-year-old right-hander. They liked his skill set and the ability to control him through the 2028 season. But in the end, the deal fizzled.

Make no mistake, the Rockies like Rodgers. He’s popular in the clubhouse and the club is eager to see what he can do if he’s healthy for a full season. But given that he’s still under club control and has untapped talent, he’s probably the Rockies’ best trading chip.

That said, the team could veer from its usual course and trade Amador or one of its other top prospects instead. One way or another, general manager Bill Schmidt will be hunting for pitching this offseason.

As for other positions, the Rockies have a lot of talented outfield prospects, and with Kris Bryant scheduled to become a full-time first baseman, Michael Togila or Elehuris Montero could be in the trade mix, too.

Greetings, Patrick. What resources do the Rockies commit to scouting and developing pitching prospects compared to other teams? Knowing top free-agent pitchers won’t sign to pitch at altitude, development has to be the key. Why hasn’t this approach worked so far — management or poor draft choices? Thank you. Enjoy covering the preps.

— Robert Emmerling, Limon

Robert, while the Rockies have a relatively sparse analytics department, they have a full scouting department and plenty of pitching coaches and coordinators. The club’s lack of success on the mound is not because of a lack of staffing.

Injuries decimated not only the big-league rotation but also the Rockies’ top pitching prospects. Right-hander Gabriel Hughes, Jackson Cox and Jordy Vargas all underwent Tommy John surgery this summer. There was a chance that Hughes would have made his big-league debut this season had he not injured his elbow.

Left-handers Ryan Rolison and Helcris Olivarez are trying to work their way back from shoulder surgery. Both should be ready for spring training, so there is some hope there.

Clearly, the Rockies are doing everything they can to build organizational pitching depth. They selected 30 pitchers (28 of them college arms) across the last two drafts, plus they made a flurry of trade-deadline moves, flipping five veterans for seven pitching prospects.

I think it’s worth noting that the Rockies have once again revamped their pitching philosophy, as my colleague, Kyle Newman, pointed out in our end-of-season “Rockie Way” project: The club’s pitching strategy was once defined by experimentation (Mike Hampton free-agent mega-deal in 2001), then morphed into a sinker-slider focus. But recently, Colorado decided that stockpiling a variety of arms is better than hoarding one specific subset.

“We’re trying to develop more of a contrast approach than five, 10, 12 years ago in this organization, when it was (a lot of) sinker-slider,” farm director Chris Forbes said. “We have to recognize who can pitch at the top of the zone and who has to stay at the corners and the bottom, but ultimately, we’re letting these guys be themselves.”

We all know that (owner) Dick Monfort wants to win. We also know that he is respected by other owners across Major League Baseball. But in one of your articles, some owners said that Monfort is too insular and needs to get outside voices. My question is, does Monfort listen to these owners who know a thing or two about winning? Or does he think his way of keeping everything inside and crossing his fingers and hoping it works is the best way to go? Does he watch what other teams in similar markets do? Does he pick those owners’ brains? Or is he just all about the experience of attending the ballgame and not worried about the product on the field?

— Del, Lamar

Del, I never wrote that other owners believe Monfort is too insular. I did not speak to other owners, but I did talk to agents, rival front-office executives and players. That said, I’m sure that Monfort does speak with all of the owners, not just owners of mid-market teams that face challenges similar to the Rockies.

It’s not correct or fair to say that Monfort “is all about the experience of attending the ballgame and not worried about the product on the field.” He’s very involved in the construction of the team, at least when it comes to major decisions such as signing Kris Bryant to a free-agent deal or trading stars such as Nolan Arenado or Troy Tulowitzki.

“Dick is in charge, it’s his team, and he doesn’t really care what people outside the organization think,” one agent told me for The Post’s  “Rockie Way” project. “Say what you want about Dick, he’s been unbelievably consistent. He’s never wavered. He’s going to follow the same path every time. That’s his team, that’s his baby and those are his guys. He doesn’t like to be criticized but he hasn’t really wavered from his path.”

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Entering Saturday’s game against the Cubs at Wrigley Field, the rookie outfielder was slashing .285/.368/.536 with nine home runs on the road. Those numbers are on par with his home numbers: .284/.383/.503, eight home runs.

That balance is another reason why Jones gets my vote for Rockies MVP, beating out shortstop Ezequiel Tovar.

And while I’m certain that Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll will be named the National League rookie of the year, Jones makes a strong case. As my colleague, Kyle Newman, noted recently, Jones ranks second in the majors in average with runners in scoring position, hitting .420. That’s impressive.

Unfortunately for the Rockies, Jones’ road success is an aberration. Finding a way to hit away from Coors Field is this team’s Rubik’s Cube.

Entering Saturday’s penultimate away game of the season, the Rockies’ road record was 22-57, meaning they’re guaranteed to finish with the second-worst mark in franchise history. Only the 2014 team (21-60) was worse.

During spring training, new hitting coach Hensley “Bam Bam” Meuens said he was looking for smart, competitive at-bats, regardless of the locale.

“You should be the same hitter no matter where you play,” he said. “You can hit at Coors Field, Dodger Stadium, Yankee Stadium … you should be able to hit anywhere. We aren’t emphasizing the negative.

“Hopefully, with the right type of preparation, we can solve some of our problems on the road. We’ll work to find a plan for every hitter and then we have to figure out how they can be successful, no matter what the situation is.”

But the problems haven’t been solved. How many times this season have we heard manager Bud Black say, “We just couldn’t solve him,” when asked about his club getting dominated by an opposing pitcher?

Road futility was on full display Friday when the Rockies lost 6-0 to the Cubs at Wrigley. Colorado finished the game 0 for 7 with runners in scoring position, grounded into three double plays and struck out nine times.

It’s the same old song and dance.

The Rockies have managed a winning road record in just three of their 31 seasons — 2009 (41-40), 2017 (41-40) and 2018 (44-38). And in each of those seasons, they managed to generate some power. The ’09 club hit 92 homers on the road, the ’17 club hit 82, and the ’18 club launched 91.

Last season, the Rockies hit 51 road homers, the fewest in franchise history for a full season. There’s been some improvement this season with 68, but that still ranks 29th in the majors, leading only the Guardians (67).

It’s not just a lack of pop that’s led to Colorado’s dismal road record. Here’s where the Rockies rank this season:

•  .229 average (27th).

• .290 on-base percentage (29th, Royals rank 30th with a .283 OBP).

• .650 OPS (30th).

• 290 runs (29th, Royals rank 30th with 271).

• 801 strikeouts (fourth most).

No player has been more emblematic of the problem than first baseman Elehuris Montero, who’s shown hints that he might be able to hit in the big leagues — as long as he’s taking his hacks at Coors Field. Montero has slashed .311/.364/.487 with three homers and 10 doubles at Coors. His strikeout rate there is 28%.

But on the road, Montero is slashing .173/.213/.308 with four homers and four doubles. His strikeout rate is 46%.

Perhaps Montero and his teammates should check in with Jones to see what antidote he’s discovered to cure the notorious Coors Field hangover.

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The well-known play-by-play man is in his first season on Sunday Night Football, and he’ll be on the call alongside Cris Collinsworth as the Broncos host the 49ers in a Week 3 primetime showdown at Empower Field.

Sunday marks Tirico’s 17th Broncos game in 17 seasons calling the NFL, 10 of which were on Monday Night Football. But with a full season’s worth of Denver games under his belt, Tirico knows this is not the same Broncos team he’s covered in seasons past.

With a new coach, quarterback, ownership group and second-year general manager at the controls, Tirico acknowledged “it feels like it’s a new time for Broncos football.”

“And the good news going forward is, George (Paton) has done a really nice job building this organization and roster. Last year, they were better quarterback play away from being a playoff team.”

While the Broncos can make a statement with an upset win over the 49ers (Denver is a 1.5-point underdog), Tirico isn’t quite ready to project Denver as a playoff team. But he also isn’t worried about Nathaniel Hackett’s early growing pains — the head coach had game-management controversies in his first two games — which Tirico believes “we won’t be talking about come October or November.”

“There weren’t any teams outside of Buffalo and Kansas City that I put the playoff team stamp on (preseason), because of the depth of the AFC,” Tirico said. “Buffalo and Kansas City, they’re a league above everybody else, and we’re seeing that early on here. And consider the depth in the AFC West… everybody’s going to beat each other up.

“But I thought that next tier of teams, which the Broncos are part of… they are one of the teams that has a very strong resume, but also slight imperfections they need to get figured out. And a lot of this is going to be based on health.”

Tirico gives Paton a seal of approval for how he’s put the Broncos in a position for a turnaround. But he said the Broncos still have work to do in future drafts in order to overtake Kansas City — the Chiefs have beaten Denver 13 times in a row — and also keep pace with Las Vegas and Los Angeles.

“George has done a good job building this, and it’s going to be very important over the next few years how they draft in rounds three, four and five,” Tirico noted. “You’re going to need those guys to hit, and be impactful players. That’s what I’ll be watching over the next few years in terms of building this team from a team with a star quarterback and some very good pieces, to a team that can contend (annually) in a stacked division.”

For Tirico, Sunday marks the latest chapter in a whirlwind year underscored by winning the Sports Emmy for outstanding personality for a studio host. In February, Tirico served as host for Super Bowl LVI and the primetime host for the Beijing Olympics on the same day. He’s also hosted the horse racing triple crown (Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, Belmont Stakes), the Indy 500 and two golf majors (U.S. Open and The Open).

But it’s the gig on Sunday Night Football — primetime’s No. 1-rated show for the past 11 years — that Tirico called a career-long goal, and one that’s “better than advertised.”

“Monday morning, I was half-exhausted because it’s been a long work week leading into the last game, but I got energized by thinking, ‘Niners and Broncos, let’s go and dive in and do this again,'” Tirico said. “I love being in the routine of doing these games.'”

Pose a Rockies — or MLB — related question for the Rockies Mailbag.

What is the likelihood of Daniel Bard pitching in another uniform this season? 50/50, higher or lower odds? Thanks for all your work and be well.

— Greg Jewett, Syracuse, N.Y.

Greg, that’s a very timely question. I would say that the odds are better than 50/50 that Bard is traded. There are a lot of reports/rumors out there that the Red Sox are interested in Bard. Remember, the right-hander, now 37, began his career in Boston and the Red Sox need relief help.

Bard’s one-year, $4.4 million deal is a bargain and I would imagine that Rockies general manager Bill Schmidt is going to demand a lot in return. He might get it.

Other teams that have reportedly shown interest in Bard include the Mets, Dodgers and Phillies.

But as I wrote in my Sunday column, I would not be shocked if the Rockies make a strong push to sign Bard to a long-term contract.

This is what I wrote: “It’s a no-brainer that the Rockies should trade him at the right price. But I would not rule out the Rockies attempting to give Bard a contract extension. They love his work ethic and his leadership and he’s become a second bullpen coach. I would imagine the Rockies will approach Bard soon and discuss his thoughts on a possible trade.”

Patrick, I know the popular opinion is that C.J. Cron should be our lone all-star representative this year, but I have another name to put under consideration: Daniel Bard. He has 15 saves and a 1.88 ERA. I don’t think he’s allowed a run in the last month. Plus, it’s such a feel-good story. What do you think?

— Ron, Parker

Ron, every team will be represented by at least one player at the All-Star Game on July 19 at Dodger Stadium. About a month ago, I was pretty certain that Cron would get the call. Now, I’m not so sure.

First base in the National League is jammed with talent, so Cron would have to be selected as a designated hitter. With his 17 home runs and 54 RBIs, Cron is certainly deserving of consideration. But he could get nudged out.

Right now, I think Bard has the inside track to represent the Rockies in the All-Star Game. As you mentioned, his statistics are amazing and his story is incredibly compelling. Put those two elements together and he’s an all-star. However, picking relievers for an all-star team is very unpredictable. Bard told me recently that he’d love to go but he’s not counting on it.

Hi Patrick, Here is hopefully an easy one for you. Brian Severn’s start has been very impressive both behind the plate and batting. Do you expect he will be sharing equal time catching with Elias Diaz soon?

— Judy Frieman, Denver

Judy, I recently penned a feature on Serven, writing that he had supplanted Diaz as Colorado’s No. 1 catcher. I might have jumped the gun on that.

Diaz, despite his continued struggles at the plate — .218 average,  .781 OPS and four homers in 51 games — has actually been getting more time behind the plate than Serven.

Manager Bud Black and bench coach/catching coach Mike Redmond examine a lot of criteria when it comes to picking their No. 1 catcher. Game-calling and the catcher’s relationship with the pitchers sit high on Black and Redmond’s list. Diaz has the edge in that department.  Plus, the Rockies gave Diaz a three-year, $14.5 million contract last November. The Rockies are going to do everything they can to see that Diaz remains their No. 1 catcher.

I hate to possibly compliment (front office) leadership and I despised the Rockies not moving Trevor Story at last year’s deadline to help a rebuild they refuse to acknowledge (is needed). However, are they about to get the best possible return they could have with the 31st pick in the draft? Have there been rumors about who was offered for Story at the deadline last year? It seems like there will be some very strong options available at No. 31 in the draft between college bats and college pitchers who are injured but have a big upside.

— Barney Ross, Castle Rock

Barney, I never pinned down the teams that offered the Rockies a deal for Story last summer. I believe a trade would have to have included some quality prospects for the Rockies to have shown any real interest. General manager Bill Schmidt said last year that no such deal ever materialized.

As for the Rockies’ pick at No. 31 (the supplemental pick for Story), I really have no idea who they will select. I’ve seen some “draftnicks” say that the Rockies have shown interest in Arkansas third baseman Cayden Wallace and Gonzaga right-hander Gabriel Hughes. But it’s very difficult to project who the Rockies will take at No. 31, let alone with the 10th pick of the first round.

When do you expect to be fully excited about the Rockies again? The second half of 2024? I’m not going off of the team’s record, but about just (looking forward) to seeing a young, fun and exciting team. I’m figuring it will be when Zac Veen, Ezequiel Tovar, Drew Romo, and ideally a big college bat from this year’s draft are all at Coors together. And, hopefully, the Rockies will make another (free-agent) signing once Charlie Blackmon’s contract is over.

— Lee Christmas, New Orleans

Lee, I think 2024 looks like a good timeline for the team you’re hoping the Rockies will field.

I figure that Veen, who has a chance to be a star outfielder, could debut in 2023. Tovar, who profiles as an excellent shortstop, could be in the majors by the end of this season. Romo, the catcher whom my colleague, Kyle Newman, profiled in Sunday’s Denver Post, should be the No. 1 catcher by then. You didn’t mention first baseman Michael Toglia, outfielder Brenton Doyle or left-handed pitcher Sam Weatherly.

But you have to add some caution to your optimism. Because for the Rockies, or any team, projecting far into the future can be a crapshoot. Injuries and stalled performance are the facts of life in minor league baseball.

Pose a Rockies — or MLB — related question for the Rockies Mailbag.

Patrick, why does it seem that the Rockies are reluctant to promote some of their top prospects to the active roster? The Orioles and Pirates, two teams struggling, both recently called up prospects to inject some life into their respective lineups and also their fan bases. With the Rockies’ offense struggling and Kris Bryant on the injured list, it seems this team is in desperate need of a slugger like Elehuris Montero to provide a spark.

Or since Hilliard and Hampson have struggled all season, why not call up Ezequiel Tovar and move Iglesias to a utility role and give another outfielder, such as Ryan Vilade, a chance to prove himself?

Keep up the great work.

— Jon, Elk Grove, Calif.

Jon, the Rockies are conservative when it comes to promoting their top prospects. Agree or disagree, it’s their philosophy.

I don’t believe it’s about money or starting the player’s “arbitration clock” sooner than they would like. It’s just that the Rockies want their prospects to get a lot of minor-league seasoning before they get called up.

That being said, with general manager Bill Schmidt now in charge, I think the Rockies might be more aggressive with their promotions. That will be especially true if the Rockies continue to fade out of playoff contention.

Montero has already made his big-league debut, but the truth is that he’s still very raw as a corner infielder. His only effective role at the major-league level right now would be as a designated hitter. Manager Bud Black is already trying to juggle a number of players, including veteran Charlie Blackmon, so giving everyone playing time is always a delicate dance for a manager.

And it does a young player no good to get called up and then sit on the bench. They need playing time.

However, if I were the GM, I would call up Tovar this season. All indications are that he’s going to be a star, so why not give him a jumpstart now? I think he’s got the right mentality to handle it. All indications are, however, that Tovar will move up to Triple-A this season but won’t make his Rockies debut until 2023.

If the Rockies are completely out of contention by the trade deadline in late July, and if they make some deals for players such as Iglesias and Randal Grichuk, that might open up a wider door for prospects.

Is Kris Bryant the latest player to sign a contract and retire but not tell the Rockies, ala Daniel Murphy, Ian Desmond and Jose Reyes? Over/under 75 home runs for Bryant’s Rockies career?

— Joe Palladino, Denver

Joe, if I understand your question, and sarcasm, you believe that Bryant is already washed up at age 30. That’s jumping to a huge conclusion without any basis in facts.

Bryant’s back injury is disconcerting and frustrating, for sure, but it’s far too early to write off his Rockies career. From everything I have been told, Bryant does not have any major structural issues with his lower back — no bulging discs or nerve damage.

Having said that, Bryant’s injury is a huge disappointment during what’s already been a trying season. But as Bryant has repeatedly said, he didn’t feel like he was helping the team while trying to play hurt.

First of all, condolences to your family on your father’s passing.

The bright optimism we all had before the season has disappeared into the dim reality of a lack of talent, it appears. What is the most troubling statistic — an OPS of .729, an ERA of 4.98, or the 37 errors committed? Or has the absence of Kris Bryant affected the team on and off the field? Thank You. Please take care.

— Robert Emmerling, Limon

Thanks, Robert. And thanks to all of the people who reached out to me and my family following my dad’s death. He was a terrific journalist, but more important, he was a kind and decent man.

As for your question, that’s a tough one to answer. It’s like picking the lesser of three evils. My gut tells me that the Rockies’ 37 errors are the most troubling because the errors prompt such a visceral reaction. The Rockies have often looked like a sloppy and not very smart team.

However, when I dug into the statistics, I think the team’s soaring ERA is its biggest weakness. Starting pitching was supposed to be the team’s strength but the rotation has a 4.94 ERA, the fourth-highest in the majors. The struggles of German Marquez (6.30 ERA), who was supposed to be their No. 1 pitcher, have really hurt the team.

Plus, after the entire pitching staff posted a 4.52 ERA in April, that number soared to 5.35 in May. That’s not a good trend, especially with the weather soon heating up and baseballs flying at Coors Field.

As for Bryant, his absence from the lineup has hurt, for sure. He was supposed to provide home runs and RBIs from the heart of the order. Off the field, however, I don’t think his absence has affected the team much.

Dear Patrick, sorry to hear about your father. My condolences. I was a fan of his work for many years, and I am a big fan of yours.

— Allan Bock, Boulder

Allan, thanks so much for taking the time to remember my dad. He was a special person and an icon of Colorado journalism.

My family and I have been overwhelmed by the kind words about my father. I knew that he was a popular columnist but I honestly didn’t know just how many people he reached. He had a remarkable life.

How much longer is the leash for Carlos Estevez? We’ve continually used him in hopes that his high velocity will translate to results. It’s not worked.

— Nathan, Lamar

Nathan, Estevez’s lack of success is a head-scratcher. As you mentioned, the velocity of his fastball (96.4 mph, down from his career average of 97.3) and his slider (86.4, down from 87.0) would lead you to believe that he would be a dynamic late-inning reliever. But his pitch command is just not sharp. That’s why hitters have a .310 average against him, and why manager Bud Black no longer uses him as a set-up man.

The talent is still there, but Estevez has a lot to prove before he can regain the Rockies’ trust. He’s been supplanted by Alex Colome and Tyler Kinley in the seventh and eighth innings.

Pose a Rockies — or MLB — related question for the Rockies Mailbag.

Patrick, it seems the Rockies continue to fall into the pattern of playing decent, even exciting, baseball in April. Fans get excited, but then the bottom quickly falls out in May. Too many errors and no offense. Why the quick start and then the quick swoon? As a fan, it’s frustrating each year to see this same pattern play out. Is this a coaching problem or a player problem or both?

— Kari, Denver

Kari, I wish I had a definitive answer. I’m sure the Rockies wish they had an answer, too. I call it the “May Malaise” or the “June Swoon.” It infects a lot of teams.

The bottom line is that the Rockies simply don’t have as much talent as perennial playoff teams such as the Dodgers and Giants. The Rockies’ fast starts are often unsustainable because they don’t have the depth — particularly with their pitchers — to sustain the winning record that we sometimes see in April.

Plus, as we have already seen, the Rockies struggle mightily on the road.

I also think that the holes in the bullpen become exposed as the season goes on and it costs the Rockies a lot of games.

When the Rockies are behind and need base runners, the opposition will shift and leave third base open. Why do the Rockies refuse to bunt to third? The opponent is giving them the single. But the Rockies’ left-handed hitters continue to ground out into the shift.

— Tim Eitel, Orlando, Fla.

Tim, I’ve wondered the same thing for quite some time. Of course, beginning in 2023, teams no longer will be allowed to have more than two infielders on one side of second base, so the shift, at least as we know it now, will be banned.

When that happens, the bunt will be used even less. It truly is a lost art.

But I’ll try to answer your question, as it pertains to the current state of the Rockies. In 2021, major-league left-handed hitters faced defensive shifts 52.5% of the time, while righties only faced a shift 16.5% of the time. So why don’t lefties bunt more? There are a number of reasons.

First, a lot of players simply don’t know how to bunt. They don’t practice it very often and it’s not taught much at the major-league level. The Rockies’ best bunter is utility player Garrett Hampson, but he’s a right-handed hitter. He learned how to bunt in college at Long Beach State where the skill was stressed.

Second, a lot of players simply don’t think bunting is a particularly effective weapon. Back in 2018, Daniel Murphy (who played for Colorado in 2019 and ’20) explained in an ESPN article why he didn’t bunt:

“I haven’t really stolen bases for five or six years. If I drop a bunt down, what am I gonna do? I’m stuck at first base, so what I’ve done is ask our ballclub to get two more singles, or I’ve asked someone else to hit a double.

“If 7% of balls on the ground go for extra bases, someone is probably going to have to hit one in the air to score me from first. So what I’ve tried to do is hit a double every single time because it’s really difficult to get three hits.”

In other words, a lot of power hitters don’t think it makes sense for them to limit themselves to a bunt single with the hope that someone will drive them in.

Finally, and this is just my opinion, I think there is ego and era involved. Players in this day and age want to hit line drives, doubles, triples and home runs, not put down a bunt. They didn’t grow up with the bunt as part of the game. However, I do tip my cap to the Rockies’ Charlie Blackmon, who has a couple of very nice bunt singles this season.

Patrick, another year and the Rockies will continue to disappoint long-suffering fans. The bumbling current ownership has absolutely no interest in developing a winning MLB franchise. They continue to promote management from within. That is going to fail again.

Why can’t they go out and find younger, analytical-minded leaders? It’s either time to go outside for new management or sell the team. Your thoughts, please.

— Dave Sanders, Pine

Dave, I debated whether to include your opinion/question, since I’ve rehashed this a number of times. I’m on the record as saying I think the Rockies’ organization is too insular and I thought they should go outside the organization for a team president and general manager.

Owner Dick Monfort has chosen not to do that, at least not with the major players in the front office. Monfort believes in the people that he’s employed for a long time at 20th and Blake. You and I might believe that a shakeup is needed, but I don’t think Monfort believes that. I don’t see that changing. Monfort’s very loyal.

Despite the Rockies’ current slump, I think GM Bill Schmidt has done a reasonably solid job with most of his moves. The signing of outfielder Kris Bryant — seven years, $172 million — remains a question mark and a gamble. Bryant has been on the injured list since April 26 with a strained lower back, although he’s scheduled to return to the Rockies on Friday. The Rockies need him to produce when he comes back.

The bottom line is that Monfort is planning for his sons, Sterling and Walker, to continue family ownership. That was made clear in Kyle Newman’s profile of Sterling Monfort in Sunday’s Denver Post.

How are designated hitters determined with interleague play? I thought the DH is used in the American League park and not at the National League parks, but today (May 14) they have DH players at Coors Field.

— Alishia Singleton, Denver

Alishia, both the American League and National League have a full-time designated hitter now, much to the joy of some baseball fans and much to the chagrin of others.

The so-called universal DH has been coming for some time and it was made official as part of the new collective bargaining agreement.

Any word on Ryan Rolison or Peter Lambert? I know they both had injuries prior to the start of the year. Any chance either will see time with the Rockies this year?

— Mike, Denver

Interesting that you would bring this up. Just a short time ago, manager Bud Black was asked about the state of the Rockies’ starting pitching depth. He mentioned that Lambert could be ready to help out in another month or so as he recovers from inflammation in his right forearm. He began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Albuquerque on Tuesday.

Rolison is going to take quite a bit more time because of his shoulder injury. He’s currently on the 60-day injured list. I believe Lambert will pitch for Colorado this season but I’m not sure about Rolison.

Kyle Newman, my esteemed colleague, said that the Rockies would finish 62-100, which would have been the first 100-loss season in franchise history.

Mr. Newman was not alone in his pessimism. PECOTA (Player Empirical Comparison and Optimization Test Algorithm), the projection system of Baseball Prospectus, predicted that the Rockies would finish 60.3-101.7.

I said that the Rockies would go 72-90, so I wasn’t too far off, although my other prognostications — a Padres vs. Yankees World Series, Trevor Story trade, Charlie Blackmon hitting .318, for example — missed by a mile.

But that was then, this is now. Time to hand out the awards for the Rockies’ 2021 season:

MVR: The most valuable Rockie was manager Bud Black. Despite the loss of Nolan Arenado and Scott Oberg, subpar seasons from Story and Blackmon, a terrible start to the schedule, and an imploding bullpen, Black prevented the team from totally collapsing. He never lost his composure or his patience and proved himself as a teacher.

MVPP: The most valuable position player, all things considered, was Ryan McMahon. First baseman C.J. Cron, who led the team with 28 home runs and a .905 OPS, was a close second.

McMahon deserves consideration for his Gold Glove defense at third base (he was also excellent at second), plus he hit 23 homers. However, after his hot start (16 homers through June) his final OPS of .779 OPS was disappointing. But his strikeout rate dropped from 34.2% last season to 24.7%. I believe McMahon’s best is yet to come.

MVP: In mid-July, first-time all-star German Marquez was a no-brainer as Colorado’s most valuable pitcher. But the right-hander’s 6.57 ERA over his last 10 starts was ugly and concerning.

So it came down to lefty Kyle Freeland vs. right-hander Antonio Senzatela, who just signed a five-year, $50.5 million deal. It’s close, but I would go with the gritty Freeland, who came back from a bad shoulder injury in spring training and a tough early stretch to become Colorado’s most-dependable starter. If I had to pick one Rockies starter to pitch a must-win game, I would take Freeland.

MVR: Jordan Sheffield might get the nod as the most valuable reliever, but he only pitched 29 1/3 innings. And rookie lefty Lucas Gilbreath (3.38 ERA in 42 2/3 innings) emerged as a dependable arm in the second half of the season.

But my vote goes to journeyman right-hander Jhoulys Chacin (4.34 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, .222 average against), who kept Colorado in a lot of games in mostly high-leverage innings.

MIP: My most improved player award came down to a choice between second baseman Brendan Rodgers and catcher Elias Diaz. My first impulse was to go with Rodgers, who came on strong in the second half to lead the team with a .284 average and hit 15 home runs (12 on the road).

But I’m going with Diaz because I honestly never thought he was as good as he is. After all, he was hitting .121 with one home run through June 1. But he finished with 18 homers, a .246 average, and he emerged as an excellent defensive catcher and game-caller.

MPM: The most perplexing move has to be the Rockies’ decision to promote Bill Schmidt from interim general manager to permanent GM — without interviewing anyone outside the organization.

I believe Schmidt is a savvy baseball man and a solid choice, and I’ve told him so. I wish him nothing but the best. But owner Dick Monfort and team president Greg Feasel should have at least given some other qualified candidates a chance; if only to get a fresh perspective on the team.

Through the years, multiple front-office executives from rival teams, as well as many agents, have told me that the Rockies are the most insular team in baseball. We’ll see if Schmidt can change that.

Pose a Rockies — or MLB — related question for the Rockies Mailbag.

Good day, Patrick. The second half of this season has been encouraging due to the development of the starting pitching staff and younger position players. If the Rockies add a reliable closer and add a power bat to the outfield, could they be in contention for a playoff berth? Who will replace C.J. Cron at first base and Trevor Story at shortstop? Thank you.

— Robert Emmerling, Limon

Robert, first of all, thanks for all of your questions this season, and for your interaction on Twitter. It is much appreciated.

Your query this week covers the Rockies’ situation in a nutshell. It’s certainly possible that the Rockies could be a wild-card team next season, though I don’t think are they a legitimate candidate to win the National League West. But to sniff the playoff, the Rockies need to beef up their bullpen and add punch to the offense. That’s no secret.

Finding a new closer — unless the Rockies believe Carlos Estevez is the answer — won’t be easy. I don’t see a ton of quality relievers coming on the market.

Right-hander Trevor Rosenthal was supposed to be Oakland’s closer but he underwent thoracic outlet surgery and then surgery to repair a torn hip and missed almost all of 2021. He might be available for a reasonable cost, but what does he have left to give?

The same question will be asked about Padres’ right-hander Marc Melancon. He’s been excellent for San Diego this year after bouncing around with a number of organizations. He got a one-year, $3 million deal with a mutual option for the 2022 season.

The four-time all-star (including this year) is 37 and he’s a different pitcher than he was in his prime, but he might be even more effective with his off-speed pitches and cut fastball. His 37 saves lead the National League and he has a 2.26 ERA. Would the product of Golden High School consider pitching for his hometown team? Perhaps.

As for Story, everything I’ve been told is that he’ll soon be gone and won’t be coming back. I wrote about the likely end of Story’s Rockies career in Sunday’s Denver Post. The Rockies have not reached out to Story’s agent to open the door about Story staying in Colorado. As it stands now, Brendan Rodgers is penciled in to replace Story at short. That move is not etched in stone.

I believe Cron will return on a two-year deal. He likes his teammates and likes Colorado. And as good as he’s been this year, he’s also been very streaky. After being named NL player of the month for August, Cron has slumped in September, slashing .196/.270/.357.

Plus, his home-road splits are extreme: .315/.409/.670 with 18 homers and a 1.080 OPS at Coors Field vs. .226/.327/.389 with nine homers and a .716 on the road.

Patrick, do you think either Colton Welker or Ryan Vilade will have a significant role with the team next year? I think if we’re going to have any chance at success, we have to give a youth movement a try. Charlie Blackmon isn’t getting any younger and if C.J. Cron gets a payday elsewhere, I can’t see him re-signing with us.

— Miles, Denver

Miles, I addressed C.J. Cron in the previous question, saying that I do think he’ll return.

As for your question regarding Welker and Vilade, so much depends on what moves the Rockies make in the offseason. I think they will attempt to sign a power bat for the outfield, allowing Blackmon to split time between designated hitter and right field. Also, the Rockies would love Sam Hilliard to be their starting center fielder, but the jury is still out on whether he can cut down on his strikeouts to be an everyday player.

I think Welker has a better chance to make the major-league club out of spring training next year than Vilade because I think he’s a more accomplished hitter than Vilade.

So, Patrick, who’s our closer next season? Daniel Bard is done and Estevez seems OK in the role. Do you see someone like Justin Lawrence, Lucas Gilbreath or Jordan Sheffield possibly taking over next year? I don’t see us catching fire and lucking out on another Greg Holland in free agency.

— Billy M., Fort Collins

Billy, I touched on the closer situation closer in a previous question. I do think it’s too early to give up on Estevez as the closer but it would behoove the Rockies to bring in a quality reliever to compete for the job and add depth to the ‘pen.

I disagree with you that “Bard is done.” His stuff is still excellent and he needs to work on harnessing the movement on his slider and fastball, but he still throws a 97-100 mph fastball. He reminds me a lot of Adam Ottavino — meaning he tends to run hot and cold.

I’ve been very impressed with Gilbreath and Sheffield of late, but neither of them profiles as a closer. Gilbreath could well be the left specialist the Rockies have needed for quite some time.

Love your work Patrick, how do you feel Rockies faithful will react when Dick Monfort stays in-house and hires Bill Schmidt as the permanent general manager?

— Mick, LoDo

Mick, as I’ve mentioned before, Major League Baseball will require the Rockies to conduct a search, but from everything I have been told by people in the organization, Schmidt will get the job.

I imagine that a lot of fans will be upset. Keeping the status quo in the front office is a Rockies’ trademark and fans are tired of it, even though GM Jeff Bridich and assistant GMs Zach Wilson and Jon Weil left this season.

I have nothing against Schmidt. He’s a good baseball man and many inside and outside of the organization like and respect him. But I hope the Rockies will be aggressive this offseason. They need to add position talent to take advantage of a solid starting rotation.

Schmidt might have a very ambitious plan in place, but he needs to get a green light and money from team president Greg Feasel and Monfort to make something happen. We’ll see. Color me skeptical. It promises to be a very interesting offseason.

Why is your Rockies Mailbag not sponsored by Subaru? All of the quotas they require during a game broadcast — super-mo and strike zone — has me thinking you could retire early.

— KB, Aurora

KB, that’s awesome. You made me laugh. I’ve got to admit that I feel for Jeff Huson and Ryan Spilborghs for having to jam all of those mini-ads into the replays. It is annoying, but it’s part of baseball’s “Moneyball.” In-game adds are nothing new, of course. They have been part of TV and radio broadcasts forever.

I’ll tell you what really bugs me: the non-stop advertisement for bets on baseball and the NFL. I cringe every time I hear the blonde woman shout, “And MAKE IT RAIN!”

I follow all the Rockies’ minor league teams online and have noted that their No. 1 draft pick has not appeared anywhere. Have they signed him, and if so, why hasn’t he got some experience?

— Jim, Denver

Jim, you’re talking about outfielder Benny Montgomery, whom the Rockies drafted with the eighth pick in July’s draft. Soon after the draft, he signed a $5 million bonus and was Scottsdale, Ariz. to play in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League.

“He’s the total package,” interim GM Bill Schmidt said. “The athleticism, with the size and strength and speed combination, those things are hard to find, to come together.”

ACL Rockies manager Jake Opitz, who previously helmed the Grand Junction Rockies before MiLB’s restructuring, was even more effusive with his praise.

“He’s got every tool you can imagine,” Opitz recently told my colleague, Kyle Newman. “He’s strong, he’s one of the fastest guys down here, he’s got one of the best arms I’ve seen. The toolset is the best I’ve seen on an 18-year-old in my time doing this, and what he’s coming in with is off-the-charts.”

Pose a Rockies — or MLB — related question for the Rockies Mailbag.

The season opener at the New York Giants on Sept. 12 is a long way off, but that doesn’t mean The Denver Post can’t debate the Week 1 starting quarterback and center, predict which cornerback could be the odd man out and, well, figure out if this franchise is back to being exciting.

The roundtable’s participants: deputy sports editor Matt Schubert, columnist Mark Kiszla (live from the Tokyo Olympics) and Broncos beat writers Kyle Newman and Ryan O’Halloran:

1. The Great Quarterback Competition 2021 starts Wednesday between incumbent Drew Lock and newcomer Teddy Bridgewater. Who starts with the edge? Who starts in Week 1?

Matt Schubert: High marks for turning this uninspiring duel into a proper noun. Lock has to start with the edge to begin camp if only because he has an extra year in offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur’s system, and Bridgewater is new to the team. Here’s guessing Lock gets every opportunity to show he’s moved past the poor decision-making that defined his Year 2. If he doesn’t — and here’s guessing he won’t — Teddy will be taking the snaps in Week 1.

Mark Kiszla: Back in June, Vic Fangio gave me a call while I was out at a Denver restaurant celebrating my birthday. Coach wanted to talk football, rather than offer condolences about getting old. When I mentioned I would be in Japan, covering the Olympics, rather than at training camp, Fangio said: “Good! We’ll decide on a quarterback before you get back to Colorado. And if you disagree with the choice, I can say: ‘You’ve been in Japan for three weeks, what would you know about it?’” I’ve got to give Uncle Vic credit for not only having a fine sense of humor, but also making a good point. Who will be the starting QB in Week 1? I hope it’s Lock. I’m guessing it will be Bridgewater.

Kyle Newman: While Lock’s decision-making was subpar during minicamp, Bridgewater’s lack of arm strength was also alarming. As the incumbent, Lock has a half-pace lead on the newcomer coming into camp, but lots to prove. I predict Lock will do just enough, with one strong preseason start buoying his last-minute case.

Ryan O’Halloran: I would go with Lock, but will be shocked if he gets the Week 1 start. Why? The Broncos open at the Giants (third-year quarterback Daniel Jones), at Jacksonville (rookie Trevor Lawrence) and vs. the Jets (rookie Zach Wilson). Fangio could say, “My defense will keep them in check; I just need a quarterback to manage the game.” Edge to Teddy.

2. New Broncos general manager George Paton did what he should have done: Turned over a decent chunk of a 5-11 roster. Who will be the biggest impact newcomer offensively and defensively?

Schubert: And yet we’re still waiting for a franchise quarterback … but I digress. On offense, the impact newcomer has to be rookie running back Javonte Williams. As for the defense, let’s go with Kyle Fuller — the other free agent cornerback brought in. His lone All-Pro season came under Fangio’s watch in Chicago three years ago. Uncle Vic knows how to tap into his talent.

Kiz: Offense — Justin Fields out of Ohio State. Wait … what? Oh, yeah. Paton decided to pass on a quarterback and pick cornerback Pat Surtain with his first draft choice as the architect of Denver’s roster. So if Surtain doesn’t quickly prove to be all that and a bag of chips, Paton will have some ‘splaining to do. On the other hand, I do enthusiastically applaud Paton for taking Williams in the second round. Here’s betting he replaces Melvin Gordon as the team’s workhorse back, sooner rather than later.

Newman: Williams will not only be the newcomer with the biggest impact, he’ll be one of the Broncos’ offensive pillars. With little wear on his legs and a compact running style that induces a lot of tackling whiffs, watch out for Williams to rip off a couple big gains in the first few weeks before being named the full-time starter by Week 4.

O’Halloran: Offense — Williams is the easy choice so I won’t complicate it. Defense — Cornerback Ronald Darby didn’t have an interception last year, but his 16 pass break-ups were fifth in the NFL. He’ll be around the football.

3. A year after running out of cornerbacks, the Broncos have four starter-quality guys in Ronald Darby, Kyle Fuller, Bryce Callahan and Pat Surtain II. As camp progresses, who is most likely to be the odd man off the field in the nickel package?

Schubert: Given my answer to Question No. 2, there’s no way it can be Fuller. They’re paying Darby a heck of a lot of money (three years, $30 million), so it won’t be him, either. And there’s no chance the Broncos pull playing time from Surtain. So, by process of elimination, that leaves us with Callahan. He’s struggled to stay healthy since joining the Broncos in 2019, so perhaps it’s best to limit his reps anyway.

Kiz: You tell me. Can Darby play some safety, or even drop down to linebacker in passing situations? Although there’s no denying his injury woes, Callahan often appeared to be the team’s best defender on the field during 2020. My prediction is Surtain leads all four cornerbacks in snaps played. And Fangio loves Fuller. I think all these guys will get plenty of playing time and wonder if the odd man out might actually be safety Kareem Jackson. On a team that has endured more defeat during the past five years than any of us would’ve liked to see, I’m just happy there is one portion group on the roster with an overabundance of talent.

Newman: It’s going to be Callahan. He missed all of 2019 with a foot injury and a different foot injury limited him to 10 games last year, ending his season in early December. If the Broncos want to get the most out of Callahan, they’ll limit his time on the field.

O’Halloran: Ranking the playing time — 1. Surtain; 2. Darby; 3. Fuller; 4. Callahan. Look for Fangio to play more six-defensive back personnel (four corners/two safeties). I would manage Callahan’s workload so he can make it to December.

4. In theory, besides quarterback, the only real camp starting position battle is at center. Who wins the job — Lloyd Cushenberry or Quinn Meinerz?

Schubert: Of all the moves made by Paton this offseason, drafting a potential replacement for Cushenberry in the third round was among the most surprising. Cushenberry appeared to improve as the season went along in his rookie campaign, and one would think that will continue in Year 2. Give Meinerz this much: He sure knows how to market himself. It’s not often a Division III offensive lineman gets this much attention for an exposed belly. But it’s a big leap from Wisconsin-Whitewater to the NFL. This is Cushenberry’s job to lose.

Kiz: For all the gushing about what a high-value pick John Elway landed in Cushenberry, I thought his performance was rather pedestrian. He wasn’t bad, but “Cush” didn’t absolutely convince me he’s the long-term solution at center. Every GM wants to see the guys he picked in the draft succeed. So with Elway now off playing golf, methinks that Meinerz will be given every chance to do Paton proud and take over as the starting center at some point during the season.

Newman: Cushenberry was far from flawless last year. He struggled in the first half (15 pass-rush “disruptions” per Denver Post game charting, and four sacks), but in Games 9-16 he allowed only four disruptions and one sack. He’s going to carry that momentum into 2021 and emerge as a stabilizer along the line. If Cush stays healthy and continues to improve, he’ll start all 16 games.

O’Halloran: Cushenberry didn’t miss a snap last year, but that doesn’t appear to mean much this year. When they drafted Meinerz, I figured it was to get him ready to play guard in 2022, not center in 2021. I’ll say Cushenberry hangs onto the job … at least early on.

5. We’ll save the win-loss predictions for later, but what can the Broncos hang their hat on entering camp? What is the most exciting thing about this team?

Schubert: Not sure I’d use the word “exciting” to describe much about this team. All the buzz this offseason had more to do with the QB fans hoped Paton would trade for (Aaron Rodgers) than the three already on the roster. With all the young weapons on the two-deep, it’s easy to wonder if they will be properly utilized. That said, this team should have an elite defense, presuming Von Miller comes back healthy and the cornerback overhaul pays dividends.

Kiz: Is it OK if I go a little rogue here? Unless Rodgers finds his way from Green Bay to Denver in a blockbuster trade, I’d be surprised if the Broncos make the playoffs. So the most exciting thing about this year? For me, it’s the relief that we’ll all be spared from mud-slinging in the courtroom from attorneys that represent the bickering Bowlen kids. I know it’s early to be making a wish list, but all I want for Christmas is for the future ownership situation of this team to have some clarity by the end of the calendar year.

Newman: As the roster currently stands, either Lock or Bridgewater would have to take an enormous leap to get the Broncos into playoff contention in a division that also features Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs, Justin Herbert and the Chargers and Derek Carr and the Raiders. Denver’s uncertainty at quarterback is liable to take some shine off the team’s brightest spot, its defense. An above-grade D will mean little if there’s another fall of QB incompetence. How’s that for excitement?

O’Halloran: Hey, I covered the Jacksonville Jaguars for six years (2012-17) and I still got excited at the start of each training camp, save for ’17 (for various reasons). But, hooboy, it’s tough to get excited about any team that doesn’t have an established quarterback. Defense may move the needle, but not in August. Entering camp, I rank Kansas City and the Chargers ahead of the Broncos in the AFC West.

That means Colorado, which has the No. 8 overall pick in next month’s 2021 draft, isn’t currently in line for the top pick in the 2022 draft. Thus, the Rockies — in desperate need of an influx of high-grade prospects in order to rebuild — are playing themselves out of a chance at the class’s generational prospect, Elijah Green.

The outfielder is a five-tool phenom from IMG Academy who has drawn comparisons to Jo Adell and Ronald Acuna Jr. He’s already producing triple-digit exit velocities at bat and his power, speed and glove have him projecting as the likely No. 1 pick.

Meanwhile, the draft’s top pitcher (or couple pitchers) is likely to already be taken when Colorado picks if the current draft order holds and the Rockies continue to offset their historically bad road performance (5-27) with almost playoff-worthy play at Coors Field (25-14).

So where does that leave Colorado?

Entering the weekend, the Rockies hold the seventh pick in the 2022 draft. Because MLB draft picks cannot be traded, the only way Colorado can move up the board in the second half of the season is to pick up the losing and surpass Arizona, Baltimore, Texas, Pittsburgh, Minnesota and Detroit in this summer’s tankathon.

Plus, the ineptitude of Miami, Kansas City and even recent champion Washington — all of whom are currently faring only slightly better in the standings than Colorado — can’t be discounted. Here’s a look at the absolute disasters in baseball, with a handicap on their potential to tank in the second half of 2021.

Diamondbacks — Arizona’s lost a franchise-record 15 games in a row, including an MLB-record 24 straight road defeats. That, plus MLB’s worst pitching, equals the awfulness necessary to secure Green. Mark the Snakes down as the Vegas favorite.

Orioles — Baltimore really knows how to flounder in the second half in order to rise up the draft board. But the habitual deadline sellers also have southpaw John Means, who gives them a chance to win every fifth day.

Rangers — The AL West cellar-dwellers have a pitching staff that is mediocre on a good day combined with an inept offense which has already been no-hit twice this year. Count the Rangers as serious tankathon contenders.

Pirates — Owners of this year’s No. 1 pick, Pittsburgh has one of the major’s worst offenses and remains a franchise without direction. The Pirates also have the worst run differential in the majors at -100.

Twins — The wheels have fallen off in Minnesota for the two-time defending AL Central division champs in 2021’s most unintentional tank. But if water finds its level, the Twins won’t be as bad in the second half.

Tigers — Detroit had the No. 1 pick in two of the last three drafts, but like the Rockies, they are showing just enough flashes of life this year to evade the divisional cellar and a shot at a top-five pick.

Rockies — Colorado has never had a No. 1 overall pick in its 29-year history (the highest was No. 2 in 1996, spent on bust right-hander Greg Reynolds). And with their confidence in LoDo in 2021, the streak will continue.

Marlins — After Don Mattingly led the Marlins to the playoffs last year, Miami’s fallen back to earth, although they are playing above .500 at home (16-14) and have MLB’s seventh-best pitching with a 3.50 ERA.