The Rockies announced that they’ve non-tendered outfielder David Dahl, catcher Tony Wolters and right-hander Chi Chi Gonzalez. All three are now free agents.
Dahl, 26, registers as something of a surprise non-tender. The former top prospect was due only a very modest raise on last year’s $2.475MM salary, and while he struggled through an awful 2020 season, hitting .183/.222/.247, he’s only a year removed from an All-Star campaign. In 2019, Dahl slashed .302/.353/.524 with 15 big flies, 28 doubles and five triples through 413 plate appearances.
The sky once looked to be the limit for Dahl, the No. 10 overall pick in the 2012 draft. He was universally regarded as a top 100 prospect throughout his minor league career, landing within the top 25 on multiple lists in multiple offseasons. He debuted in 2016 and hit .315/.359/.500 through 236 plate appearances, looking every bit like the star that most anticipated he would become.
Unfortunately for Dahl, injuries have hindered him time and time again. He’s had his spleen removed after suffering a laceration during a violent on-field collision, and he’s since dealt with stress reactions in his rib cage, a fractured foot, a high ankle sprain, multiple back injuries and most recently a shoulder injury. With all of those health concerns, perhaps the Rockies simply didn’t expect they could count on him to remain on the field in 2021, but a salary in the $2.5-2.6MM range doesn’t seem like much of a risk given the upside he carried over his remaining three years of club control.
Wolters, 28, has been a non-tender candidate in each of the past two seasons but hung onto his roster spot despite a lack of production at the plate. Rockies brass clearly has long liked his defensive capabilities, but at this point the club wasn’t willing to give him a raise on top of last year’s $1.9MM salary. Over the past three seasons, Wolters has batted .231/.316/.307. Gonzalez, also 28, has pitched in 20 games (16 starts) for the Rox since 2019 but been roughed up for a 5.66 ERA and 5.62 FIP.
Teams looking for outfield help are certainly going to have a few possibilities to sort through.
I am going to say he goes to either Red Sox or Cardinals
The Braves should jump on Dahl
Wow, Dahl has had injury issues, but he could be a legitimate impact bat on the open market for a relatively cheap price.
Yea I can’t believe they let him walk. Rockies keep rockieing lol and I’m a fan SMH
A prime example of Bridich’s lack of managerial acumen was the Blackmon extension. It’s a bit surprising that the GM has not been shown the door yet.
Mariners?
I could see that.
Yeah, he makes sense for Seattle. But, he makes sense for Miami and a number of other teams.
Whats up with this David Dahl non-tender? It seems like the most unexpected one I’ve seen today.
He was projected for like $2.5 million, I really don’t see why the Rockies didn’t want a starting OF at that price.
Dahl is great, but he is far too injury prone. He has a ton of abilities except the two most important, availability and durability. Plus, there is always the chance they bring him (and Wolters) back on cheap incentive laden deals.
I think there is going to be a market for Dahl and he’s probably going to have other opportunities so he doesn’t have to take a discount like that.
For the type of production he gives when healthy, $2,5M could be a steal. Some team is going to be willing to risk that they might lose him to injury and roll the dice since if they do get most of a season out of him he’s going to be providing a ton of surplus value on that cheap of a deal. High risk, high reward, but its only a few million so it really doesn’t burn a large chunk of payroll if it doesn’t work out.
Very likely that is what is going to happen. But with the emergence of Raimel Tapia in 2020, along with Blackmon and Sam Hilliard/Ian Desmond, the Rockies OF will be fine without Dahl. I would they have rather traded him for something, but if there is one position the Rockies can afford to lose someone for nothing, it is OF.
Injuries and below average defense are the major factors here.
Dude only has 1000 plate appearances since 2016. 40% of those came in one season.
David Dahl would be my favorite of the non tenders! Archie Bradley would be a close second.
Agree, Dahl still has upside, if someone other than Ricks sign him, he will be healthy all year and have a huge season. Bradley is a dud pitche.
Everyone rags on Story, Arenado and Blackmon for their splits home/away from Coors. Dahl has the worst home/away splits out of most of the Rockies’ hitters.
Wow…. Agree with above statements. Surprising big bat going on the market. If this guy could stay healthy, he could hit a easy 35 HR’s even outside of Coors.
Angels should hop on Dahl if cheap. Left handed bat and can have as insurance for Adell
Blue Jays should drop Fisher and pickup Dahl. Be a 4th OF and potentially work himself into the lineup.
The Rockies tendered Elias Diaz a contract but not David Dahl. Pretty much sums up that organization these days.
I thought the same thing
Wolters is a superb backup C option
Yup. I get the non-tender but Wolters will find work.
He can be a good player when healthy but I’ve never seen someone that young so injury prone.
Jordan Reed. Oh crap wrong site
Alright San Francisco. Here’s another opportunity to potentially buy low. I know I said we need Knebel in the article that just came out, but here’s another guy to potentially buy low for. Not a bad hitter. The only reason I would say no, is our outfield has too many lefty bats. Dickerson, Yaz
Dickerson and Yaz have it pretty covered for the time being
Astros???
Surprised they didn’t keep Wolters as a defense-first backup. They must think Dom Nunez is ready.
I sure hope Dom is ready because it’s going to be a lot of Elias Diaz, well probably either way honestly. Ahhh
I would be shocked if the Rockies didn’t try to pick up a veteran backstop. Perhaps even re-signing Wolters, who I have grown to love behind the plate. Who cares if he can’t hit as long as he can run a pitching staff well. Although the player I think would work best in Colorado is Wilson Ramos. I have long wanted him to be a Rockie.
Of course knowing the Rox they will probably just re-sign Drew Butera and go with those two with Dom Nunez bouncing back and forth from AAA.
Dahl will be on a new team very quickly
The GMs “business decisions”.
Chi Chi didn’t surprise me but Dahl and Tony Two Bags does.
Glad to see Wolters gone, his bats are made out of glass.
David Dahl, welcome to the Indians, Royals, Pirates, Twins, etc.
What is one positive move that Bridich has made since he took over? Bring back Dan the man. Bridich clearly has no idea what he’s doing.
Dahl isn’t old enough for the Giants…