Less than 48 hours after owners ratified the collective bargaining agreement between them and the players, the Colorado Rockies moved quickly on a trio of free agents to re-open the offseason.
SS José Iglesias and RHP Alex Colomé have reportedly signed one-year deals to play in Denver for the 2022 season.
Iglesias, 32, will be tasked with replacing All-Star shortstop Trevor Story who rejected the club’s qualifying offer to return in purple pinstripes. His 2021 with the Los Angeles Angels and Boston Red Sox produced a slash line of .271/.309/.391.
The Cuban born infielder has a penchant for making spectacular defensive plays. However, defensive metrics suggest a downturn over the last two seasons following seven consecutive campaigns toward the top of the league to start his career. He look to correct that trend with the Rockies.
Colomé, 33, is coming off a 17 save season with the Minnesota Twins, posting a 4.15 ERA with a 103 ERA+.
Sep 28, 2021; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Alex Colome (48) pitches against the Detroit Tigers in the ninth inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
As a closer over the last six years with four different teams, his 155 saves over that span is fourth-most in all of MLB behind only Kenley Jansen (208), Edwin Díaz (173) and Aroldis Chapman (160).
The Rockies split the closer duties in 2021 with Daniel Bard, 20 saves, receiving a bulk of opportunities before losing his role late in the year to Carlos Estévez, 11 saves.
Colomé should have an opportunity to shore up the ninth inning for his new club.
OF Scott Schebler has also reportedly signed a minor league deal with the Rockies that comes with an invitation to major league camp. Schebler is a veteran of seven big league seasons, hitting a career-high 30 home runs and driving in 67 runs with the Cincinnati Reds in 2017.
Should he warrant a spot in the club’s outfield, Schebler will need to be added to the 40-man roster.
The additions of Iglesias and Colomé are notable because they are first free agents from outside the organization to sign with Colorado during the offseason since Daniel Murphy on December 20, 2018.
