Three options for the Colorado Rockies clogged outfield

With the signing of Gerardo Parra, the Colorado Rockies now have four more than capable starting left-handed outfielders. Between Corey Dickerson, Charlie Blackmon and Carlos Gonzalez the Rockies already had a surplus of talent in that role, now they are a left-handed log jam of lofty sluggers.

At this point, something has to give because it’s not exactly ideal to have four similar players competing for three spots. Fangraphs predicts Parra to be the fourth outfielder splitting time between all three spots but amassing 450 plate appearances over the course of the season. In that time, they equate he would collect a 0.8 fWAR while Blackmon would come in at about the same level in 520 plate appearances. CarGo and Dickerson would both end up with a 1.5 fWAR in a full season according to them. Not only are all four players similar in overall talent they are all similar in skill.

Parra, like Gonzalez, has won two Gold Gloves in the corner outfield spots. Parra, like the rest, has extreme platoon splits, becoming a well below average player against left-handed pitching.

Below are three options for the Rockies four left-handed outfielders:

Make a Trade

This is by far the most logical move and that’s why so many rumors persist around the team at the moment. Not only could they get good value for any of the three incumbent outfielders, they could add to their goal of acquiring more high-impact youth, something the of Parra signing has yet to accomplish.

You don’t have to look far to find the rumors about the Rockies outfielders, but as to which one should they trade, I’d have to say, Gonzalez. To explain why they should trade CarGo you must first explain why they shouldn’t trade the others. They shouldn’t trade Blackmon because he is their only true centerfielder and leadoff man, he also has improved every year and he perfectly fits the Rockies mold. They shouldn’t Dickerson because his injury laden 2015 diminished his trade value ten-fold. As much as it would be tough to deal the 40 home run hitter from last year in Gonzalez, he is probably the easiest for the team to justify trading in the ordinance for a youth movement. Will they trade Gonzalez? Probably not.

Keep Them

This is the most probable of the three options and it would see each playing a significant amount of time as they would just rotate who sits every day. It may seem odd at first but the Giants have been doing this successfully with Gregor Blanco each of the past four seasons. The difference is the Rockies would be all left-handed so there is no true platoon option. This greatly cuts the Rockies offense against left-handed pitching which is something they have struggled with mightily the last few years. Looking around the division, the Dodgers may make their rotation up of five lefties which would give the Rockies a very tough matchup every time they play L.A.

Change Someone’s Position

Purple Row’s Drew Creasman pretty much shut down the thought to playing Corey Dickerson at first base. The move would probably be the easiest position change for the Rockies but it’s still a tough one nonetheless. Especially when you consider the team has had a Gold Glove-caliber player starting at first base every year since the turn of the century.

The other option is to move an outfielder to second base. None of the four have played infield in the big leagues or the minors but Parra is an athletic player who might be able to adjust. A move to second base would also force DJ LeMahieu to move from second to his more natural position of shortstop. There should be hesitation with that being said because LeMahieu has won a Gold Glove at second, but it would answer the big question mark that is the shortstop position for the Rockies.