Rockies GM Tried To Fire Himself, Owner Dick Monfort Said No

The Colorado Rockies are in the midst of their biggest front office shakeup in years. With the team limping into a 37-65 record, second-worst in the MLB, general manager Dan O'Dowd apparently offered his resignation to team owner Dick Monfort, but the boss said no:

"I sat with Dick and said, 'Hey, listen, it would make it easier on you, just throw me under the bus here. In some ways, I'll be better off for it, too,'" O'Dowd told me after the club announced its latest organizational shakeup this week.

"But he won't do that and I can't leave him because no one knows more about this place than I do. You bring another GM here and it will take him years just to get up to speed on the issues we have here, how different it is. I don't have all the answers, but the only way you find answers is you've got to try different things. You can't think traditionally."

The Rockies, who have never won the NL West, have had a winning record in only 3 of the previous 12 seasons and have reached the playoffs only 3 times in their 20-year history.

For more on the Rockies, visit Purple Row.

Colorado Rockies Plan To Add Director Of Pitching Operations After Front Office Shake Up

General manager Dan O'Dowd is giving up some of his responsibilities with the Colorado Rockies. O'Dowd remains a large part of the organization -- he'll continue to make trades and be responsible for personnel moves -- but his right-hand man Bill Geivett now becomes the senior vice president of major league operations. The title means Geivetter will monitor the performance of manager Jim Tracy and his staff, as well as other various programs such as strength-and-conditioning and scouting.

Mike Klis of the Denver Post reported on Wednesday that O'Dowd plans to hire a director of pitching operations, a position O'Dowd describes as "someone who wakes up and thinks about pitching 24/7."

O'Dowd will turn some of his attention to the minor leagues and player development within the organization.

For more on the Rockies, visit Purple Row.

Rockies Name Bill Geivett Senior Vice President Of Major League Operations

The Colorado Rockies did indeed restructure its front office, making the announcement official on Monday: Formerly Senior Vice President of Scouting and Player Development/Assistant General manager, Bill Geivett is now Senior Vice President of Major League Operations. He will oversee the day-to-day operations of the major league team but still report to General Manager Dan O'Dowd.

From the team's press release:

"With his extensive experience in professional baseball both on the field and in the front office, Bill Geivett is the perfect fit for this new position," said Rockies Owner/Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Dick Monfort. "We are constantly looking for ways to improve our organization, and we feel that Bill’s influence and leadership on a daily basis is an important addition to our Major League club."

Geivett had been a candidate for the Houston Astros' vacant general manager position during the offseason, but that went to former Cardinals executive Jeff Luhnow.

For more on the Rockies, visit Purple Row.

Dan O'Dowd Remains As Rockies GM, Will Shift Focus To Player Development, According To Report

Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd will remain in his position, but he is focusing more on player development. Assistant general manager Bill Geivett is working more closely with the major league team on a day-to-day basis.