Q >> Is there any way the Rockies can ditch Kris Bryant’s albatross of a contract? Or will it destroy the franchise’s ability to become competitive for years to come?

— Etienne, Dumont

Patrick >> Unless Bryant decides to retire — he told me near the end of the season that he is not planning to — the Rockies are stuck with his contract, which still counts for $104 million over four years on the club’s books.

So, it’s a problem, to be sure. But it’s going too far to say it “will destroy” the Rockies’ ability to compete. Think of the situation as a team losing a high-cost, star player to injury. But in the Rockies’ case, it’s like losing a high-cost player every year for four more years. It’s a bad scenario for sure, but not insurmountable.

The Rockies still hope that Bryant can rebound to become a productive designated hitter. If he can’t, the Rockies would make a gigantic mistake if they still played Bryant instead of younger players simply because Bryant’s making a lot of money.

Q >> Observing the current playoffs, quality at-bats and a deep pitching staff are a must. Why haven’t the Rockies coaches coaxed better results, or is it a talent level they must work with?

— Robert Emmerling, Limon

Patrick >> I received a lot of emails concerning the Rockies’ decision to hold on to some of their coaches, particularly hitting coach Hensley “Bam Bam” Meulens.

I’ve asked around, and it’s clear that general manager Bill Schmidt and manager Bud Black believe Meulens is a good coach and a solid teacher. This is despite the Rockies’ terrible team batting average (.242) and high strikeouts (1,617), both the worst in franchise history.

So, if Meulens is, indeed a good coach, as the Rockies insist, that leaves me with a number of conclusions:

• The Rockies had a bushel full of young players getting at-bats this past season, which is certainly a primary reason for the poor offensive output. (Then again, the Rockies have had a sub-par offense for five seasons now.)

• The Rockies have failed to draft and develop enough good hitters. Not potential sluggers, mind you, but accomplished hitters who don’t strike out a lot, put the ball in play, get on base and move runners over.

• The current generation of players thrived at the lower levels of baseball by swinging for the fences, but when they face big-league pitchers, they don’t have the approach or the experience to get the job done. Plenty of players — many of whom have their own hitting coaches during the offseason — can be very stubborn when it comes to making changes to their swing and approach at the plate.

Q >> It appears the Monforts are in it for the long haul regarding the Rockies and LoDo. Will up-and-comer Sterling Monfort take on a greater role in the front office sooner rather than later?

— Brian McConnell, Centennial

Patrick >> Brian, that is my assumption, although I have not heard anything about a promotion.

Sterling, 33, just finished his third year as the club’s director of professional scouting, and he’s been in the Rockies’ front office for 14 years. According to the team’s media guide, Monfort “oversees the day-to-day operations of the pro scouting department, evaluates the Rockies’ major and minor league clubs and opposing players for acquisitions, and collects information from the entire pro scouting staff to assist general manager Bill Schmidt and director of player development Chris Forbes in the player acquisition process for both the major and minor leagues.”

That’s a mouthful, but the bottom line is that owner Dick Monfort’s second son holds an important role. I would imagine he will continue to move up the ladder.

Owner Dick Monfort’s oldest son, Walker, works more on the business side as the Rockies’ vice president of corporate partnerships. Could the day come when Walker becomes the team president and replaces his dad as CEO? Yes. Could the day come when Sterling becomes the GM? Yes.

But I don’t see that happening soon.