Brendan Rodgers, Cal Quantrill non-tendered by Rockies in roster shakeup

The Rockies shook up their roster and continued their youth movement Friday when they non-tendered Gold Glove second baseman Brendan Rodgers and right-handed starter Cal Quantrill.

The moves cut the club’s payroll for the 2025 season and cleared a path for young prospects, such as second baseman Adael Amador and a crop of young starters who could make their big-league debuts in 2025.

Both Rodgers and Quantrill are entering their final year of arbitration, with Rodgers estimated to be in line for a $6 million salary and Quantrill due to make around $9 million. According to major league sources, the Rockies attempted to trade both players but did not find a deal worth making.

The Rockies made two other roster moves Friday, avoiding arbitration by giving one-year deals to left-handed reliever Lucas Gilbreath and outfielder Sam Hilliard. The Rockies’ 40-man roster now stands at 38.

Cutting the 28-year-old Rodgers comes as something of a surprise, even though he’s been the subject of trade rumors for more than two years. Rodgers won a Gold Glove in 2022, and he’s coming off a season in which he played in a career-high 132 games, slashing .267/.314/.407 with 13 homers.

Rodgers, the third overall pick in the 2015 draft, never developed into the impact player the Rockies envisioned when they drafted him out of Florida’s Lake Mary High School. Though he flashed power from time to time, a string of injuries have hampered his career.

Amador, 21, is seen as the long-term heir apparent to Rodgers, but Amador struggled in his short stint in the majors in 2024, and he might not be ready in 2025. He played in 10 games with the Rockies, and it was clear he wasn’t ready for prime time, especially as he struggled to make the transition from shortstop to second base. Amador slashed .171/.194/.200 in 36 plate appearances, going 6 for 35 with a double. There were obvious growing pains defensively at second base, while at the plate, he struck out six times and walked just once.

Quantrill, 29, was obtained by the Rockies last November in a trade with Cleveland. He made 29 starts in his first season with Colorado, going 8-11 with a 4.98 ERA.

The right-hander got off to a strong start by utilizing his split-finger fastball. In May, he went 4-0 with a 1.71 ERA in five starts, striking out 32 and walking just nine. He posted a 3.30 ERA with eight home runs allowed through his first 14 starts, but had a 6.88 ERA with 15 home runs allowed over his last 15 starts.

This story will be updated. 

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