Rockies Notebook: GM Josh Byrnes, Alon Leichman and the 2026 WBC

ORLANDO, FL. – It’s not every winter that comments – newsworthy and believable – emanate from the Colorado Rockies during the Winter Meetings. Years past have been more wait and see, with little to nothing being seen in the end.

Though it may appear that action has trailed the talk thus far, it’s takes time to build the infrastructure for new powers-that-be in Paul DePodesta and Josh Byrnes. Confidence, a word not often associated with the front office, is high that they will find a way to make their words come to fruition.

Byrnes spoke with the media after an appearance on MLB Network Radio on Sirius XM. 

He reminisced on his experience working for Colorado as an assistant general manager from 2000 to 2002. Both he and the organization have changed a lot in two decades.

In the much more recent past, Byrnes’ experience as a senior vice president of baseball operations with the Los Angeles Dodgers saw him spending a lot of time trying to stay ahead of the hitting trends. Bringing Colorado up to league average in terms of trends – hitting, pitching, player development and analytics alike – might be even more challenging of a conquest.

Charlie Blackmon, a 13-year big leaguer with the Rockies, could very well have some solutions to the only team that plays at altitude one day and sea level the next. Conversations between the front office and Blackmon, who serves as a Special Assistant to the GM, have been promising in the early transitional stages.

“Charlie was very, very detailed on a lot of things as we talked about,” Byrnes said on Tuesday before adding, “To also do that on the pitching side (with a former Rockie), I think would be helpful.”

As an executive since the late 90s, Byrnes has seen a lot over the years during the annual Winter Meetings. 

Does Kyle Schwarber returning to the Philadelphia Phillies for five-years at $125 million and Edwin Díaz moving cross-country to join the Los Angeles Dodgers at $69 million for three years suggest there’s been more activity as a whole than in years past?

“Probably less active,” Byrnes said. “Just because I think we are playing catch up. And I think we spent — at least since I’ve signed on, the staff and infrastructure side has occupied so much of our time. It needs to. So the actual deal-making part of the winter, we’re sort of catching up when we’ve met with agents we’re communicating with, plus communicating with clubs, so we’re in it, but maybe not at the frenzied pace some other teams are.”

As Colorado continues to figure out its next steps for player acquisition, they’ve continued to evaluate their own roster of players, especially as places on the 40-man roster are increasingly valuable to the rebuilding roster. Warren Schaeffer has been critical with this – for both players and coaches – according to Byrnes and his counterpart DePodesta, President of Baseball Operations.

“Very helpful, very helpful in all areas, both staff and players,” Byrnes said. “Looking ahead, what we’re trying to create and what we’re trying to build, he’s been fantastic, just picking his brain on a lot of things this first week.”

The club continues to give a roster spot to Kris Bryant. The 33-year-old has played just 170 games in his first four years with the club. This past year he was diagnosed with lumbar degenerative disc disease which has kept him off the baseball field since April. 

Patience, according to Byrnes, is what it’s about right now regarding Bryant. 

“I think that’s a big one, and that’s probably stuff we got to go through, just really for me and Paul, probably like his health and where we are with what he can provide going forward. I don’t have the answer to that now, but it’s something we definitely need to figure out.”

New Pitching Coach, New Pitching Philosophies

One of the biggest things on Colorado’s wish list this offseason was not only a pitching coach to replace Darryl Scott, but one to help develop a strategy for the entire organization, from the Dominican Summer League all the way up to Triple-A Albuquerque and Denver.

Alon Leichman, 36, from the Miami Marlins appears to be that solution as the next Rockies pitching coach. 

“Self made, self taught, has worked really hard to get to where he is now,” said Simon Rosenbaum, General Manager of Team Israel. “All the information, all the technology, is a big part of it and Alon is excellent at that part, and equally as good, if not better, at relating to players, getting to know them on and off the field. I’m really excited for him and everything he’s going to do in Colorado.”

Originally slated to be the pitching coach for Israel in the WBC, Leichman will be busy bringing some of the early success he’s had in his career to Denver. 

“I’ve known Alon for many, many years, since he was playing ball when he was 17 years old. Grew up on a kibbutz halfway between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, a small kibbutz that at some point was the only baseball field in Israel,” said Jordan Alter, Team Israel delegation head. “He’s a wonderful person that people in Colorado are gonna love.”

2026 World Baseball Classic

The last time the greatest baseball playing countries in the world faced off against one another, the Rockies had several players participating in the World Baseball Classic.

The 2023 edition of the WBC was easily the most exciting, culminating with a final-out showdown between Los Angeles Angels teammates Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani for Team USA and Team Japan. 

Kyle Freeland tossed three innings of one-run ball in the Championship Game, even striking out Ohtani during the course of his outing. Daniel Bard also contributed for America while the likes of Elias Díaz (Colombia), Germán Márquez (Venezuela), Justin Lawrence (Panama), and Alan Trejo (Mexico) all featured for their home country.

While no Rockies have officially been announced for the 2026 WBC yet, one of the club’s brightest stars has an opportunity to represent his nation.

Ezequiel Tovar, who missed 67 games with a left hip contusion and left groin strain, is still the best option at shortstop for Venezuela. According to manager Omar López, Tovar is on the preliminary roster and more than welcome to contribute.

“Tovi, obviously, if everything goes well, we would love to have him,” Lopez said. “We would love to have him if he’s committed and wants to be a part of it. Defense, offense, clutch, that’s what we’re looking for with Ezequiel.”