Evans: So long to Rockies Walt Weiss

Walt Weiss’ firing wasn’t a surprise … Wait? He “stepped down?” Yeah, right.

Walt would’ve liked to continue managing this Colorado Rockies team. It’s not like he’s going to have teams lining up for his services (well, maybe for high school openings around the Denver area).

This was a case of Weiss and general manager Jeff Bridich no longer seeing eye to eye. And Bridich wielded the power by allowing Weiss’ contract to expire without another offer forthcoming.

That is Walt getting fired, my friends. Weiss “stepping down” is more of a face saving move than anything.

Hey, Bridich is the GM. He’s got owner Dick Montfort’s backing. Bridich didn’t hire Weiss. I can’t blame him for wanting his guy. So this move wasn’t a shocker.

But let me warn all you purple-clad, Dinger-worshipping, Party Deck-reveling Rockies fans. If you think getting rid of Weiss means playoff-contending happy days again, you’re wrong.

Of all the major sports, the baseball manager makes the least impact. The Rockies went 77-85 this year. Who do you think is the best manager in baseball? Joe Maddon? Bruce Bochy? You put that guy in the Rockies dugout with the same exact team and the same exact circumstances, and the Rockies record is maybe three to five wins better. Maybe.

The point is they don’t make that much of a difference.

I can already predict the howling. “Hey dummy, what about Walt’s brutal handling of the bullpen? What about taking pitchers out too early?”

Remember, the master plan for this season’s bullpen (crafted exclusively by Bridich) included Jake McGee, Chad Qualls and Jason Motte. All three were a disaster.

So all season, Weiss dealt with a crummy bullpen with which I’m convinced Maddon or Bochy wouldn’t have done much better.

Not leaving pitchers in longer? Yeah, I’m sure if Weiss had a Jon Lester or Jake Arrieta or Madison Bumgarner or Johnny Cueto, he would’ve had the confidence to let those guys pitch into the 8th and 9th innings. But instead he had –– you know what he had –– nobody in that class.

I actually like the direction the Rockies are going. But getting closer to 90 wins and a playoff spot will require more work and more retooling of this team.

But that is going to be up to Bridich to fix that. Not the next skipper.