The Colorado Rockies are entering the 2019 season following back-to-back playoff appearances for the first time in team history. But the Rockies’ championship window is closing quickly and will be shut by 2021.

To win a title in any sport, a team needs to have a perennial All-Star. The Rockies’ star is third-baseman Nolan Arenado, who will be wearing purple pinstripes through 2026 at the hefty price of $260 million. However, just having one top-five player in Major League Baseball isn’t enough to compete. Fortunately, the Rockies have the necessary pieces around Arenado in order to bring a title to the Mile High City.

Colorado’s young core consists of Arenado, right fielder Charlie Blackmon, shortstop Trevor Story, and pitchers Kyle Freeland, German Marquez and Jon Gray.

The mantra, “defense wins championships” has always been true and Jeff Bridich, general manager of the Rockies, also agrees. He signed Blackmon to a six-year extension to stay in Colorado through 2023. Blackmon will be commanding almost $20 million every year with incentives. Story will hit the free agent market following the winter of 2021. With his upward trajectory and a defensive wins above replacement of almost 2.0, there’s no telling how much money Story will want to stay in Denver in three years. Arenado will be able to opt out of his contract within days of the season ending in 2021, as well.

However, starting pitching has undoubtedly carried the Rockies into the postseason the last two seasons, not the bats of Arenado, Blackmon or Story. Freeland, Marquez and Gray will all become free agents following the 2022 season. Freeland is competing for a Cy Young Award after finishing fourth last year with an ERA of 2.40 in 15 games at Coors Field. Marquez was able to finish the second half of 2018 with an ERA of only 2.61, while Gray has been consistently flirting with becoming the ace of the staff since he entered the Major Leagues in 2015.

Bridich also created a solid bullpen to push the Rockies over the edge the last few seasons. Scott Oberg, who was 8-1 in 2018, will step into the 8th inning role for the Rockies. Oberg will be able to leave the Rockies willingly in 2021. Wade Davis, the National League Leader in saves in 2018, is signed through 2020 for $52 million. However, Davis and the Rockies have a mutual option for the year 2021.

It is important to note that the Rockies new television deal will begin in 2021 which is expected to give the club an estimated $120 million every year. This extra revenue will be used directly to extend current players or add to the young core.