It’s been pretty quiet on the Rockies front lately, but GM Jeff Bridich spoke to Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post on a number of offseason topic yesterday. Here are some notable takeaways from that chat and a bit more on the Rockies’ offseason…
- Many Rockies fans seem to like the idea of bringing back former franchise cornerstone Matt Holliday to fill the club’s first base vacancy in 2017, but Saunders notes that Bridich downplayed the likelihood of a reunion with Holliday. Said the GM: “We have just now started looking into the reality of Matt. With the way that our outfield is situated… the outfield for Matt doesn’t make a whole lot of sense right now. So right now we are just trying to wrap our minds around whether he’s a viable option at first base.” Certainly that’s not a firm denial of any possibility, but it’s not a vote of confidence in Holliday’s first base abilities either, and Bridich’s comments seem to rule out the possibility of Holliday getting any time in left field next year. Holliday played 61 innings at first base last year — his lone experience at the position.
- Similarly, a signing of Colorado native Mark Melancon seems to be on the wishlist of some fans, and Bridich did confirm to Saunders that the team has at least spoken to Melancon’s representatives. However, the GM characterized Melancon as one of “a lot of guys” whose agents have been contacted by the Rockies. Saunders recently cast some doubt on the Rockies’ ability to compete with other big-spending teams like the Dodgers, Giants, Yankees and Nationals to acquire Melancon’s services, however, and it does seem unlikely that they’d win a bidding war, based on the team’s recent history with free agents.
- In addition to Melancon, Bridich confirmed to Saunders that he’s spoken to the agent for former Marlins lefty Mike Dunn. Bridich also voiced confidence in last winter’s trio of bullpen acquisitions — Jake McGee, Jason Motte and Chad Qualls — stating that he believes each can rebound from a disappointing first year with the Rox. Saunders notes that between McGee, Adam Ottavino and Carlos Estevez, the Rockies’ 2017 closer may already be on the roster.
- Elsewhere, SB Nation’s Chris Cotillo reports that the Rockies have expressed some level of interest in a reunion with Mark Reynolds, who performed reasonably well on a low-cost one-year deal for Colorado last year (Twitter link). Reynolds played a passable first base in the estimation of Defensive Runs Saved (+4) and, to a lesser extent, Ultimate Zone Rating (-1.9). He also batted a solid .282/.356/.450 with 14 homers in 441 plate appearances, although park-adjusted metrics like OPS+ and wRC+ felt that his overall offensive output was about league-average after compensating for Coors Field. (And it’s worth noting that Reynolds raked at a .310/.383/.497 clip at home while hitting a pedestrian .255/.329/.403 on the road in 2016.)
- MLB.com’s Mike Petriello has the Rockies atop his speculative list of teams that make sense as a landing spot for Chris Carter, who was designated for assignment by the Brewers yesterday. Petriello raises a point we’ve examined at MLBTR in the past, noting that Mark Trumbo would be a strong fit in Colorado were it not for the fact that signing him would require the Rockies to forfeit the top unprotected pick in next year’s draft (No. 11 overall). As Petriello further examines, the difference between Carter and Trumbo, from a statistical standpoint, hasn’t been all that great over the past few years. Each offers enormous power with plenty of strikeouts and questionable on-base percentages. The difference between the two, from my vantage point, would be that Trumbo hasn’t had the opportunity to showcase his first base skills in years, as he’s been played out of position in the outfield. Trumbo has rated as a solid defensive first baseman in the past, when given the opportunity, while Carter’s glovework has consistently graded out poorly. Then again, if there’s a sizable enough gap in terms of the required dollars (to say nothing of retaining the draft pick), the downgrade to Carter’s glove may be viewed as an acceptable price to pay.
re: Rockies fans clamoring for Holliday, just like many teams’ fans want players who left to return really need to watch South Park this season, especially the “memberberries” storyline. Totally applies here. Other than Rickey Henderson with Oakland, returning players are almost always a disappointment on the field.
Yeah.Just like Jonathon Niese’s return to the Mets.
LOL
They still make South Park?!?
Sure do! The still make The Simpsons, too!
Holliday can go back to St. Louis. He snubbed the Rox in 2009 come free agent time, so I’ve got not use for him. Neither do the Rox.
I think the Rox should trade Cargo to clear payroll, but the market for corner outfield bats is strong, so I think a return would be weak. Maybe trade McGee for a cheap 1B option like Greg Bird or Matt Adams. Actually, I don’t think the Yanks sell low on Bird right now. I guess my point is that the Rockies need to shed some payroll to fill areas of need.
So you think McGee would get a return like Greg Bird… but you think Cargo would gather a weak trade? It’s morning. How drunk are you?
I think Cargo would get a weak trade return compared to his actual value, meaning he won’t bring back enough to really justify trading him (except salary relief).
Bird’s value is depressed. McGee was more valuable in 2016 as he actually played. That’s why I said the Yanks likely wouldn’t trade him now.
McGee seems more likely to get a one-dimensional non-tender candidate like Adams or a Chris Carter. Could workout for the Rox. McGee has been quite successful in the past and is left-handed, so he’s not useless.
Dude McGee is lucky he has a roster spot fam. Dude was garbage last year.
The market is ALWAYS saturated for corner OF. Rockies have been trying to trade Cargo for a couple years now and there’s never a seller’s market. Too many guys can play corner OF, whether they came up that way or not. So teams don’t pay big for them unless they’re (thought to be) huge superstars like Heyward or Cespedes.
They’ll keep Cargo and either sign him to a cheaper extension or collect the draft pick (assuming those still exist). Much more likely to trade Blackmon because he can play CF, is a much better hitter, and comes cheap(er).
Lol McGee for Bird, come on… be serious
I just don’t see a strong market for a Coors Field hitter. CarGo’s numbers away from Denver are mediocre at best and hardly worth that salary. Rocks might as well keep him while he’s productive at home.
Holiday is surprisingly good at first base and he has always been suited for coors field. The Rockies would be crazy not to take advantage of that perfect fit. If it were not for fluke injuries the last two years he would have put up his normal numbers. He is still pounding the ball.
Personally, I hope the Cardinals would try to resign Holiday at a lesser salary. If not for anything else, his loyalty to the team, teammates, and the city of St. Louis.
Rockies in heavy pursuit of Mark Trumbo, according to MLBNetwork.