Bridich says Rockies have playo≠ shot in 2017

The general manager provides no clues about whether manager Walt Weiss will be offered a contract to return.

san francisco» General manager Jeff Bridich believes the Rockies have a realistic shot at making it to the playoffs in 2017, but whether manager Walt Weiss is a part of that quest remains to be seen.

Weiss’ three-year contract is near its end, and there have been no talks about a new contract. That means Weiss could be managing his final game Sunday afternoon when the Rockies host the Milwaukee Brewers at Coors Field.

Bridich, who took over as GM after the 2014 season, provided no clues Thursday about whether Weiss will be offered a new contract, saying only that a decision will be made after the season ends. But the fact that Weiss has had no discussions about returning is a red flag. Weiss wasn’t hired by Bridich, and Bridich could want to hire his own manager.

“We will go through the same process as we did last year,” Bridich said at AT&T Park before the Rockies played the San Francisco Giants. “That is, sitting down after the season is done and having conversations and talking about how the season went and talking about the future.”

Bridich said there is no timetable for the after-season meeting, though it’s likely to come next week. Bridich said Rockies owner Dick Monfort will be involved in the discussions.

“In terms of any large decision that we have made since I have been involved as a GM, Dick has always been fully apprised and fully involved,” Bridich said. “So I’m sure he will be part of the decision-making process.”

Though the Rockies have stumbled over the last seven weeks of the season, Bridich said next year’s playoffs could be within the Rock-

ies’ grasp. Colorado has not been to the postseason since 2009.

“It should be part of our thought process and our goal making,” Bridich said. “Look, if you go back two winters ago, was it really realistic to talk about that two winters ago? No. That’s why we didn’t do it. The goal was to play meaningful games … creating a situation where we had continued belief in the group and continued belief in ourselves as we played into August and September. …

“There were some intrinsic and some intangible things we had to start to cross off the list before we could realistically start talking about playoffs and thinking playoffs. It’s a good thing that we can now, and we should, starting thinking that way. That’s a positive for us as an organization.”

Weiss, who is ending his fourth season as manager, has been careful when talking about his tenuous status. Asked if he wants to return, he said: “Yes, but you want to be wanted back. I love our players and our staff, but you have to feel wanted back. I don’t want to be here if I’m not wanted.”

The Rockies entered Thursday’s game with a 74-84 record and will finish with a losing season for the sixth consecutive season. Weiss took over after the 2012 season, the worst in franchise history, when the Rockies lost 98 games. Since taking over for Jim Tracy, Weiss has posted a 282-362 record. His .437 winning percentage is the lowest of any of Colorado’s six managers. Bridich also talked about a number of other topics: • Regarding how he will go about fixing a failed bullpen that has a National League-worst 5.11 ERA, Bridich said: “I’m not sure yet. I think that we are going to do everything that we need to do in the offseason to see if there are ways to making us better in the ’pen.” He said it’s possible that some starters in the farm system or on the current 40-man roster could evolve into relievers.

• Bridich said he was pleased with the job Mark Reynolds did at first base before a broken hand ended the veteran’s season. Reynolds is due to become a free agent, but Bridich said the club remains interested in bringing him back. “It’s something that we will certainly discuss with him,” Bridich said. “It takes two to tango there. But he was a positive for us.”

• Bridich made it clear he doesn’t need to trade any of his talented outfielders, saying he likes the outfield’s depth. He also expects Gerardo Parra to rebound from a disappointing season that was marred by a high-ankle sprain. “We signed him to be part of our outfield rotation. I think he can be a massive part of that next year,” Bridich said.