DNVR Exclusive: Rockies free agents open up about next steps

DENVER – Following a second-straight playoff appearance in 2018, Colorado lost a quartet of players to free agency at the combined cost of $54.75MM: Adam Ottavino (three-years, $27MM), DJ LeMahieu (two-years, $24MM), Carlos González (one-year, $2MM) and Gerardo Parra (one-year, $1.75 MM).

This offseason, only two players will be free agents: C Drew Butera and 1B Yonder Alonso.

Originally acquired in a trade from the Kansas City Royals in 2018 and later a member of the postseason roster, Butera signed a minor league deal with Colorado after being released by the Philadelphia Phillies at the end of Spring Training this past March. A World Series winner in 2015 with Kansas City, Butera has recorded ten years in majors with spells in Minnesota and both Los Angeles clubs.

Similarly, Alonso reunited with his former Padres manager Bud Black to become a member of the Rockies after being jettisoned by his club, the Chicago White Sox in July.

Also a ten-year veteran who played for Cincinnati, San Diego, Oakland, Seattle, Cleveland and Chicago (AL), the Cuban-born first baseman has a career slash line of .259/.332/.404 with exactly 100 home runs, swatting 61 in just the past three seasons.

Both Butera and Alonso spoke with DNVR about returning to the Rockies, expressing interest in seeing the current group of players meet their potential and win the first World Series for the franchise.

“I think this is a place where it’s been such a safe haven for me,” Alonso said of the organization. “They’ve welcomed me with open arms and understood what I could bring to the table and I was able to deliver. I was able to help out and be a fountain to a lot of the young guys. It was great. Just a positive attitude towards myself and looking forward to it.”

Not one to beat around the bush, the 32-year-old discussed his plans for 2020. “I want to be here,” Alonso emphasized. “I’ve made that clear to Buddy and his staff.”

“Whatever happens, happens,” he digressed. “I know that I’ve brought a different approach to things and understanding that things are on a positive note for myself. I’m going to get myself in shape and do the things I’m going to do and be the player I’ve been for the last three years, which is 25-plus home runs and being an All-Star.”

While Butera would also love to stay a part of the organization, he’s less emphatic about plans for next season. “I don’t know. We’ll see what the good lord has planned,” the 36-year-old stated. “I’d love to come back. I think this is a really special team and a great organization. I really loved my time here, from last year to this year. I’d love to come back.”

Only a handful of catchers older than Butera are still active in the majors. The Florida native has stuck around thanks to wisdom he imparts on teammates thanks to 15 years as professional, not to mention a lifetime as a second-generation ballplayer. (His father Sal Butera was also a catcher and won a World Series ring in 1987 with Minnesota.)

With the hiring of former backstop David Ross (42-years-old) as manager of the Chicago Cubs only three years removed from his playing career, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Butera join the coaching ranks some time soon.

“We’ll see. Probably. I think so. I’d love to stay in the game. I’d like to think I have a few more years left to play. We’ll see when that time comes. We’ll see where I’m at with my family. Right now, I’m still focused on play,” he said.

As only the fifth player in MLB history to catch a no-hitter in both leagues, Butera has some unique experience, especially when it comes to passing the game down to the next generation as he has done in his nearly eight months in Colorado with fellow backstops like Dom Nuñez and Chris Rabago.

“Jim Thome was a huge influence on me,” he said of the slugger with 612 home runs, eighth all-time. “I played behind (Joe) Mauer and Salvador Perez;  even though he’s younger than me, I still learned a lot from him. As far as veteran guys, Thome was the most influential.”

Not at a loss for stories, Butera shared a tale of his first cup of coffee with the Twins in 2010 when his future Hall of Fame teammate took the bright-eyed rookie under his wings.

“I remember my first flight in the big leagues. I was standing in the front waiting for everyone to sit down because I didn’t want to take anybody’s seat. Thome was sitting in the front row and he grabbed me and said, ‘You sit next to me.’ So, I sat down and I always carried with me a portable DVD player. I opened it up and thought, ‘Wait a minute. I’m sitting next to Jim Thome. I can’t watch movies.’ I listened to him talk. I listened to him talk about life, about the game and watching him work in the cage. His work ethic really rubbed off on me.”

Currently, only three spots on the Rockies’ 40-man roster remain available; however, five players still need to be activated from the 60-day IL – not to mention several prospects that need protecting from December’s Rule 5 Draft.

Though both veterans certainly left their own mark on this current iteration of the team during their short stints, it will be no easy feat to welcome back Alonso and Butera in purple pinstripes in 2020 with this roster crunch impacting offseason transactions.