Think back to deepest and darkest recessed of your mind.

Somewhere, through all the disappointment and frustration caused the 99 day lockout, there exists information about the first month of the Colorado Rockies offseason.

Because of the transaction freeze, they’ll now have less than that to complete the second part of the offseason as Bud Black and his squad get ready for the April 8 Opening Day.

The 2021 season brought some pleasant surprises. Since expectations were that Colorado could have been looking at their first 100-loss season following the trade of franchise cornerstone Nolan Arenado, the 74-87 record brought more disenchantment throughout the Rocky Mountain region.

Despite playing incredible at home (.593 winning percentage, tied for seventh-best in team history), they finished in fourth place in the National League West for the third consecutive season.

Then, Trevor Story left via free agency. And Jon Gray signed a four-year, $56 million deal with the Texas Rangers.

There are still notable players in place for at least the next two season: RHP Germán Márquez, RHP Antonio Senzatela, LHP Kyle Freeland, 3B Ryan McMahon and 2B Brendan Rodgers.

Charlie Blackmon is still here to provide some comfort and more great memories, too.

The prospects in the farm system are enticing, if not a few years away from making an impact on the big league roster.

Its been a challenging year-plus at 2001 Blake Street, to say the least. What happens with the roster going forward may indicate whether or not there are more hard times ahead.

What Happened Already?

One day before the end of the 2021 regular season, interim general manager Bill Schmidt was given the reins permanently.

In July, Schmidt presided over the RHP Mychal Givens trade to the Cincinnati Reds, bringing back RHP Noah Davis (now on the 40-man roster) and RHP Case Williams (originally drafted by Colorado in 2020). 

Schmidt wasted no time in shoring up the roster once his post became official. 1B C.J. Cron was brought back on a two-year deal worth $14.5 million. An extension for RHP Antonio Senzatela at $50 million for five years fortified the future of the rotation.

Following the postseason, it was an extension for C Elias Díaz at $14.5 million over three years and a one-year pact to bring back veteran reliever RHP Jhoulys Chacin for $1.25 million.

What’s Next?

Schmidt believes in this roster. “There are pieces here to win,” he said this offseason. “We just need more pieces.”

Various reports have linked the Rockies with outfielders Kyle Schwarber and Kris Bryant as the primary solutions for increase power numbers in the middle of the lineup.

Other high-profile players with pop such Japanese superstar OF Seiya Suzuki and 2021 World Series MVP Jorge Soler are also available via free agency.

OF Nick Castellanos and OF Michael Conforto have also been speculated as targets for Colorado, but both players rejected qualifying offers and would cost the organization a highly coveted selection in the 2022 MLB Draft. 

Jon Heyman of MLB Network even floated the idea of a reunion between Story and the Rockies. 

In an interesting twist, the Rockies would like to try to bring back Trevor Story

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 29, 2021

Though the outfield has been a position of desired improvement, the hole at shortstop is even larger than the one left by Arenado at third base.

McMahon provided exceptional defense at the hot corner in ’21 and has the potential to cross the 30 home run and 100 RBI plateau at the plate.

In place of Story at the moment are utility fielder Garrett Hampson and SS Alan Trejo among those on the 40-man roster. Brendan Rodgers was drafted as a shortstop, but the organization seems comfortable with leaving him at second base.

The first game of the regular season is 27 days away for most of MLB. The other 29 teams will be looking to further bolster their roster.

Under the blazing Arizona sun, the Hot Stove League should be scorching. 

Time will tell if the Rockies end up playing it cool after all.