Bridich steps down as GM of Rockies

Jeff Bridich is stepping down as general manager of the Rockies, ending a tumultuous tenure that included two playoff appearances and a falling out with Nolan Arenado that led to the third baseman’s offseason trade.

The Rockies announced Monday that the decision was a mutual agreement with Bridich, who was in his seventh season as GM. The team will appoint an interim general manager for the rest of the season.

Bridich said in a statement that he recently had a conversation with owner Dick Monfort and newly appointed team President Greg Feasel about the team’s future.

“It became abundantly clear that ushering in a new leadership structure is critically important,” Bridich said. “With that in mind we arrived at this decision to part ways, and ultimately it will be what is best for the Rockies and for me.”

Bridich, who went to Harvard, joined the organization in 2004 and rose through the ranks. He was named senior director of baseball operations in ’06 and later held the position of senior director of player development. He became general manager in October 2014.

“Over the last week, Jeff, Greg and I determined that it was in the best interest of Jeff, his family and the Rockies, for him to step down as general manager,” Monfort said in a statement.

Under Bridich, the club made the playoffs as a wild card in 2017 and ’18. It’s the only time Colorado has made backtoback playoff appearances.

The Rockies signed Arenado to a $260 million, eightyear deal in February 2019. Things soon turned sour. Arenado wasn’t pleased with the direction of a team that missed the playoffs the last two years.

Arenado, an eighttime Gold Glove winner and fivetime AllStar, was traded to the Cardinals on Feb. 1 for Austin Gomber and four minor leaguers in a deal that was criticized by fans.

Yang’s debut: The Rangers called up 2017 Korean league Most Valuable Player HyeonJong Yang, and he had a strong debut, eating muchneeded innings after Jordan Lyles was knocked out in the third inning of a 94 loss to the Angels.

Yang retired Anthony Rendon with two runners on to start his bigleague career, then went another four innings, allowing two runs with a strikeout.

Yang, 33, had a 14year career with the Kia Tigers in Korea. Struggling rookie center fielder Leody Taveras was optioned and first baseman Ronald Guzman was transferred from the 10day to 60day injured list.