Guardians' Forman, D-backs' Sawdaye are finalists for Rox general manager (source)

DENVER -- Guardians executive vice president/assistant general manager Matt Forman and Diamondbacks senior vice president/assistant general manager Amiel Sawdaye have been identified as finalists for the Rockies' general manager opening.

The Athletic reported the news Wednesday. A Major League source said the Rockies could be talking to other candidates as well.

Colorado parted ways with general manager Bill Schmidt at the end of the 2025 season, which saw the Rockies finish 43-119 -- the second-worst National League and third-worst overall record of the Modern Era. After promoting from within the organization for their past two GMs -- Jeff Bridich (end of 2014-early '19) and Schmidt -- Rockies owner Dick Monfort and rising executive vice president Walker Monfort made clear they are looking for voices outside the organization to lead a revamp.

Bridich, who was at the helm in 2017 and '18 when the Rockies made consecutive postseason appearances for the only time in their history, rose from player development director. Schmidt, who arrived after the 1999 season with then-general manager Dan O’Dowd, was in charge of the Rockies’ MLB Draft before he became GM.

The Rockies want to hire soon, with roster and contract decisions due after the World Series and the MLB's GM Meetings scheduled for Las Vegas from Nov. 10-13.

Forman, who began with the Guardians as a baseball operations intern in 2013, and Sawdaye, who has been with the Diamondbacks since '16, each have made marks with organizations that have punched above their market size. Cleveland has made the postseason eight of the past 13 seasons, including a World Series trip in '16. The D-backs went from 110 losses in '21 and 88 the following season to a World Series appearance in '23.

Forman was involved in scouting, player acquisitions, player development and research and development under Cleveland club presidents Mark Shapiro and Chris Antonetti.

Forman was a finalist for the Nationals' opening for president of baseball operations before the club hired Paul Toboni (from the Red Sox) on Oct. 1.

Sawdaye joined the D-backs when Mike Hazen became GM for the 2017 season, after both had a long association with the Red Sox. Sawdaye served as vice president of amateur and international scouting for successful Boston teams. Part of Sawdaye’s work with Arizona involved statistical projection models that have led to strong MLB Draft classes and roster decisions in recent years.

Sawdaye served as the D-back’s acting GM in 2021 as Hazen took a leave of absence.