This story was excerpted from Thomas Harding’s Rockies Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

Let’s look at some questions facing the Rockies this offseason:

Which players are free agents?

Right-handed starting pitchers Chad Kuhl and José Ureña, right-handed relief pitchers Alex Colomé and Carlos Estévez and shortstop José Iglesias.

What is the Rockies’ approach with their own free agents?

Indications at season’s end suggested the Rockies were most interested in retaining Estévez, who spent much of the year setting up closer Daniel Bard, and Ureña, who finished the season in the starting rotation. Estévez said during the season he is open to returning depending on the Rockies’ offer, but that could change if another team pursues him with a greater opportunity to be a closer. Ureña’s ability to force ground balls and his improving changeup intrigued the club.

Kuhl was the Rockies’ best pitcher in the early going but success eluded him later. Despite the struggles late, some of his pitch-action metrics (which attracted the Rockies to him in the first place) held. The Rockies were publicly keener on retaining Ureña, but the Rockies need all the starters they can get since mid-career free agents avoid Denver.

Iglesias’ .315 road batting average, which would have been third in the National League had a late-season left thumb injury not reduced his plate appearances beyond qualifying level, was an eye-opener. But Ezequiel Tovar is the shortstop of the future, and Iglesias is seeking regular playing time.

The option game

Designated hitter/outfielder Charlie Blackmon has a $15 million player option for 2023, which makes total sense for him to exercise. As the roster stands, the payroll number for Blackmon is the Rockies’ fourth-largest behind $28 million for outfielder Kris Bryant, $16 million to Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado as part of the 2021 trade agreement, and $15.3 million for right-handed starter Germán Márquez.

What type of help do the Rockies need, and will they be active in free agency?

Injuries that limited Bryant to 42 games exposed the Rockies as being light in two key areas -- top-level offensive talent and overall depth. There also are holes in the rotation and the bullpen.

The Rockies need left-handed hitting and a regular center fielder, and could use a true leadoff hitter, although there are many ways to start a batting order. Center field is the place where the club could spend, but the abundance of other holes could push the club into the trade market.

Whom might the Rockies target in free agency?

The Mets’ Brandon Nimmo ranks at the top of the team’s potential free-agent targets. He is coming off a career year and checks many boxes -- left-handed production, on-base ability, speed and strong defense in center. His Cheyenne, Wyo., roots only add to the intrigue. There will be plenty of bidders.

Another experienced candidate could be the Padres’ Trent Grisham, whom the Rockies considered in the first round in 2015 (he was selected by the Brewers 15th overall). Grisham struggled to a .184 batting average in 2022 but hit 17 home runs and drew a healthy 57 walks. Strong performances during the postseason suggested he can be an asset with slight approach adjustments (he led the Majors with 57 looking strikeouts in ’22).

As much as the Rockies need offense, defense might be a bigger factor given the amount of ground to cover at Coors Field. Grisham clearly fits the defensive profile.

Whom might the Rockies trade?

The Rockies took criticism as the only team not to make a deal at the August Trade Deadline. Bard pulled himself off the trade market by signing a two-year extension, All-Star first baseman C.J. Cron sank into a deep slump, teams in search of relief help chose pitchers who weren’t headed into free agency like Estévez.

Cron, due a club-friendly $7.25 million in 2023, might be a more attractive trade chip, although the jury is out whether the prospects that saw late-season time (Elehuris Montero and Michael Toglia) are ready. But expect teams to come after players the Rockies tend not to trade, but just may be what it will take to make a club-altering deal.

Second baseman Brendan Rodgers last week was announced as the Fielding Bible Award winner as MLB’s top second baseman and then won his first career Gold Glove. Third baseman Ryan McMahon, headed into the second year of a six-year, $70 million deal, didn’t put up expected numbers but had a hard-hit profile that suggests he could take off by simply making the contact that drives the ball into the air more.

The Rockies also tend not to trade prospects, and almost never trade pitching prospects. But a system that was ranked ninth among clubs at midseason and has prospects that don’t have to be protected on the 40-man roster this winter just may have the resources to acquire Major League help for Minor League potential.

Who may be removed from the roster?

Technically, Nov. 18 is the deadline for tendering 2023 contract offers to unsigned players, but a key date is Nov. 15 -- the deadline for setting the 40-man winter roster that will determine which players the club wants to protect from the Rule 5 Draft. The team could clear roster space early.

Cot’s Baseball Contracts projects that utility man Garrett Hampson could make $2 million as a third-year arbitration-eligible player, so the club will have to decide on him. Arbitration decisions also face the club in regarding to lefty pitcher Ty Blach, who bounced between Colorado and Triple-A Albuquerque, and righty Peter Lambert, who has thrown just 5 2/3 Major League innings since 2019 because of a right elbow injury. It’s likely the club will stay with Lambert, who is pitching in the Arizona Fall League.

Lefty pitcher Helcris Olivarez is not expected back from left shoulder surgery until late next season, so the club can outright him to the Minors and create a 40-man spot. Outfielders Sam Hilliard, who is out of Minor League options, and Ryan Vilade, a 2017 second-rounder who appeared briefly in ‘21 but did not earn a promotion from Triple-A Albuquerque in ’22, also are candidates to be outrighted.

Who needs to be added to the 40-man roster for protection from the Rule 5 Draft?

Riley Pint, the  No. 4 overall pick in 2016, showed some promise in ’22 after early career struggles and a brief retirement in ’21. Pint was promoted to Triple-A Albuquerque in August but was shut down after three appearances because of an injury in the forearm area. But a pitcher with Pint’s velocity and potential would be a Rule 5 candidate.

Expect the club to add shortstop Adael Amador, MLB Pipeline’s No. 61 overall prospect and the Rockies’ No. 3 prospect; third baseman Warming Bernabel (No. 8); and Brenton Doyle (No. 21). Other roster candidates are first baseman Grant Lavigne (No. 13) -- who is putting on a strong showing in the Arizona Fall League --  and right-handed pitcher Brayan Castillo.