The Colorado Rockies have primarily been a team that stays quiet during the coldest time of year. However, general manager Jeff Bridich has flipped the script over the past few months, putting the Rockies back on the map with notable free agent signings such as Ian Desmond and Greg Holland.
The Rockies, and their fans, agree that the team is in a position to compete not only in the National League, but in the tough NL West as well. Most agree the Rockies have the lineup to beat just about everyone, but when you go up against the likes of the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants, you have to have have the starting rotation, bullpen, and depth to match.
The starting rotation improved mightily in 2016, leading to Tyler Anderson getting a Clayton Kershaw comparison from FanGraphs. The 27-year-old had a strong rookie season, posting a 5-6 record with an ERA of 3.54, as well as a WHIP of 1.28. Throw in Jon Gray, Tyler Chatwood, and Chad Bettis to a rotation that’s primed to take the Rockies back to the postseason for the first time since 2009.
While the rotation was the least of Colorado’s concerns last season, the bullpen was a glaring hole that needed attention as soon as possible. Twenty-eight blown saves is unacceptable, regardless of injury. Just think, Colorado is potentially vying for a Wild Card spot if the bullpen was in the slightest bit functional.
Insert Mike Dunn and Greg Holland.
Dunn, 31, a left-hander reliever, was the first to touch pen to paper with the Rockies back in December, but the biggest signing of all came in January with Holland.
Holland, 31, suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow during the 2015 season. With that being said, Holland elected to undergo Tommy John surgery, sidelining him for the entire 2016 campaign.
During his tenure with the Kansas City Royals, Holland was an elite closer and feared across the game. In 309 games pitched, Holland collected 145 saves over that time, blowing just 12 of those — good for a 90% save percentage.
While some may fear he isn’t up to par with what he could once do, Colorado took a low-risk gamble on the two-time All-Star to help solidify a bullpen that blew 28 saves the previous year.
Colorado inked Holland to a one-year deal worth $7 million, including a vesting option in 2018 worth $15 million. Drew Creasman, editor of BSNRockies, breaks down the details.
Holland can exercise a $15 million if he reaches 50 appearances and 30 games finished in 2017. If he does both of those things, it will be good both for him and the Rockies. Like Bridich said, this deal is almost perfectly structured to make sure that if Holland never returns to form, the Rockies ultimately liability is covered. But if he returns to being one of the best closers in baseball, he gets paid accordingly.
Bridich is playing his cards right.
Moving on to the depth, which I hit on in a column in January entitled, “Do the Rockies have enough infield depth to cope with injury?”
On that exact column the infield depth was a thing of need for Colorado. After years of struggling to find replacements for Troy Tulowitzki and most recently, Trevor Story, Colorado signed Alexi Amarista to serve as a utility infielder — for cheap.
Though Amarista isn’t close to Story’s production or skill level in any way, shape, or form, Bridich is lining up guys who can play multiple positions — hence the addition of Ian Desmond who signed a five-year, $70 million deal to play first base of all positions.
Here’s the catch.
Colorado brought back first baseman Mark Reynolds on a minor league deal with an invite to Spring Training.
A minor league deal folks. That’s a steal.
Reynolds was solid during his first year as a member of the Rockies, hitting .282 with 24 doubles, 14 home runs, and 54 runs batted in. Say, for instance, someone in the outfield or infield for that matter goes down with an injury that could possibly sideline them for weeks. Desmond can slide into a middle infield position or any three of the outfield spots, leaving the door open for Reynolds to assume the first base role.
No harm, no foul.
Bridich also rolled the dice on former top prospect and All-Star outfielder Dominic Brown, signing him to a minor league deal as well. One thing to keep note of is he did not receive an invite to Spring Training.
Brown, 29, spent six seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies. Brown slashed a line of .246/.305/.405 with 54 home runs and 229 RBI in 493 career games.
His lone All-Star appearance came in 2013 where he hit .272 with 21 doubles, 27 home runs, and 83 RBI.Obviously another low-risk move from Bridich with perhaps a medium/high reward. You never know, Brown could wind up being a left-handed power bat off the bench later in the season if everything works out.
Jeff Bridich’s job is to ensure the Rockies are put in a place to win. Depth has long been an area of concern for Colorado, and Bridich is doing everything in his power to correct it.
