Weiss unlikely to receive extension before '16

DENVER -- Rockies manager Walt Weiss said he doesn't expect to be offered a contract extension before the 2016 season, but does not see managing in the final year of his contract as a distraction.

"There has been no discussion of an extension … not sure if it'll come up, but I don't have a problem going into my last year without it," Weiss said Friday.

Weiss is on a three-year deal worth $2 million. He replaced Jim Tracy, who resigned after the 2012 season. The club hired Weiss without a contract, as both Weiss and the Rockies wanted to see how the year went. Weiss ended up signing the three-year deal after the '13 season. To head off speculation about next season, Weiss and general manager Jeff Bridich announced Tuesday that Weiss would return for 2016, but there was no mention of the possibility of an extension.

Bridich said Friday that Weiss is under contract and declined to comment on the extension issue.

Weiss and Bridich are in ongoing discussions about the 2016 season and how to improve a team that finished in last place in the National League West (68-94) for the third time in four years. The Rockies finished in fourth place in 2014. While many areas can be improved, Weiss and Bridich are vexed by the issue that has haunted the franchise since it began play in 1993: pitching -- especially from starters -- in a mile-high environment that has proven to be very hitter-friendly.

Weiss also said there is no timeline for setting his coaching staff for next season, but it'll happen soon.

Bench coach Tom Runnells has been in his position since Tracy became manager in 2009, Third-base/infield coach Stu Cole and catching/defensive positioning coach Rene Lachemann have coached for Weiss all three seasons. First-base/baserunning coach/outfield instructor Eric Young and hitting coach Blake Doyle have been with Weiss for two seasons. Pitching coach Steve Foster and bullpen coach Darren Holmes were hired before last season.