Colorado Rockies general manager Jeff Bridich, who helped build a playoff-caliber roster before losing a talented star and watching his team stumble this year, stepped down Monday, the team announced.

Greg Feasel will step into the position of club president, and an interim general manager will be appointed for the remainder of the 2021 season club officials said. Feasel has been with the club for 26 years.

“Over the last week, Jeff, Greg and I determined that it was in the best interest of Jeff, his family and the Rockies, for him to step down as general manager,” owner Dick Monfort said in a statement. “I’m saddened by this, but I have accepted the fact that we must move on. Jeff has dedicated the last 17 years of his life to this organization. He has been a great Rockie and been part of many memorable moments, including being the general manager for our first back-to-back playoff appearances in 2017 and 2018. I’m grateful for his leadership, professionalism and hard work. I wish Jeff and his family nothing but the very best.”

Bridich’s era as general manager and executive vice president, which began in 2014, included the franchise’s first consecutive playoff appearances in 2017 and 2018. The Rockies went 492-508 during his tenure, and only had two winning seasons. 

Bridich’s popularity dipped in recent years, most notably this past offseason when a rift between Bridich and All-Star third baseman Nolan Arenado resulted in what many feel was a lopsided trade with St. Louis that included the Rockies sending $50 million to the Cardinals and receiving no top-100 prospects in return.

Bridich also let DJ LeMahieu walk during free agency in 2019 and traded shortstop Troy Tulowitzki to the Blue Jays in 2015. He also signed a number of free agents who underperformed. That included Ian Desmond, who Bridich signed to play first base, instead of outfield. 

The Rockies say a mutual decision led to Bridich’s Monday departure. After trading Arenado, Monfort said he was committed to standing by Bridich. Just three weeks into the season, as the Rockies slumped to 8-13 and last place in the NL West, that stance changed. The team has, however, won five out of its last eight, including defeating the Phillies 12-2 on Sunday. 

Manager Bud Black said Bridich told him after the game on Sunday that he was stepping down. They shared a moment in Black’s office, where they talked openly about what transpired over the past five years. 

“This is tough,” Black said. “It happens in baseball. It happened to someone we are close to.”

Black added that he does not know if the Arenado trade changed relationships in the front office. 

Bridich was just the third general manager in Rockies history. The interim general manager will be tasked with deciding what to do with starter Jon Gray and shortstop Trevor Story, both of whom are in contract years. 

Bridich, a Harvard graduate, initially joined the Rockies in 2004. If the Rockies decided to promote someone internally, as they did with Bridich, assistant general manager Zack Rosenthal is thought to be one of the leading candidates.