The Rockies had interest in Kyle Schwarber prior to the lockout, The Denver Post’s Patrick Saunders writes. With the Rockies known to be looking for outfield help and more hitting in general, it isn’t surprising that Schwarber is on the team’s target list, and Saunders figures the team will make a continued push for the slugger once the transactions freeze is lifted.
Despite the thin air of Coors Field, the Rockies’ lineup has been generally inconsistent over the last few years, and the team now faces the likely departure of Trevor Story in the free agent market. A proven power bat like Schwarber would help greatly in replacing or even topping Story’s offensive production, while also solidifying at least one position within Colorado’s outfield. Beyond longtime staple Charlie Blackmon, the Rox have several outfield options (Raimel Tapia, Connor Joe, Sam Hilliard, Yonathan Daza, Ryan Vilade, and multi-position player Garrett Hampson) but none who present a clear everyday answer.
There’s also the designated hitter spot to consider, as the likely adoption of the universal DH means the Rockies will have another position to address. Schwarber or Blackmon could be options here, and since Schwarber played some first base during his stint with the Red Sox last year, the Rockies could conceivably use Schwarber in the infield when regular first baseman C.J. Cron is given a day off or a DH day.
It isn’t exactly been a quiet offseason in Denver, as the Rockies extended Cron before free agency opened, re-signed Jhoulys Chacin, and the team also worked out extensions with righty Antonio Senzatela and catcher Elias Diaz. However, the Rox and general manager Bill Schmidt haven’t done much in the way of adding any new talent to the roster, despite the organization’s oft-stated goal of contending in 2022.
That said, the Rockies have at least explored some notable additions, as they also had interest in Kris Bryant earlier this winter. Saunders doesn’t feel the Rockies will meet Bryant’s asking price, and that same logic could also apply to a pair of other major outfielders still on the open market. Signing either Michael Conforto or Nick Castellanos (who each rejected the qualifying offer) would cost the Rockies a draft pick, plus Castellanos was also reportedly looking for a long-term commitment of at least seven years for his next contract.
It should be noted that the Rockies would get an compensatory pick if/when Story signs elsewhere, so with some extra draft capital to play with, Schmidt didn’t outright reject the idea of signing a QO free agent. In any case, the qualifying offer doesn’t apply to Schwarber, as his midseason trade to the Red Sox made him ineligible, so he can be signed without any draft pick penalty.
Between the lack of draft compensation, his reported aim for a relatively modest three-year deal in the $60MM range, and his track record at the plate, Schwarber could be considered the most attractive option within the top tier of remaining free agent outfielders (Bryant, Castellanos, Conforto, and Seiya Suzuki). Of course, the Rockies aren’t alone in targeting Schwarber, as the Phillies, Marlins, Nationals, and Red Sox have all shown varied levels of interest in his services this winter, and any number of other teams are also speculative fits. While Schwarber’s contractual ask may fall within Colorado’s comfort zone, then, the Rockies may still have to outbid other teams that can offer either more money, or a more clear-cut chance at contending next season.
50 homers or a pulled hammy. 50/50?51/50?
Probably both. The pulled hammy is almost a lock but my God the home runs he would hit im Coors Field. I think the Rox would really have to overpay to get him though. I’m sure if the money is equal he would rather go to a contender that doesn’t have the Padres, Giants and Dodgers all battling him for the division crown. It’s probably more realistic Conforto goes to Colorado. It seems like the perfect place to take a short term pillow contract and bring his bat back to life.
Rockies interested in blocking the development of their own prospects
Most of their top outfield prospects including Veen are in the lower levels of the system. So a few years away from making any sort of major league impact.
I do not understand why they want this guy. While he has power, he is a liability on defense and can cover very little of the vast Coors Field outfield. Once the NL adopts the DH (which I hate), he could help there.
Pretty simple actually. That natural pulled flyball swing is designed in a lab for Coors Field, where RF is almost as HR happy as Yankee Stadium, CF rocks too, but LF is pretty neutral. He will absolutely crush the ball there. The guy they really want, according to all reports, is Bryant, whom they’ve been lusting after since he was in high school. But if they can’t get him, Schwarber and Conforto are ideal plan B’s, and they will spend big to get one of them.
50 homers or a pulled hammy?
They probably need to develop their own prospects, but on paper,this is a perfect fit. Especially if the NL DH comes into play.
I’m not sure. Connor Joe is a solid bat that was pushed into LF, because Cron has 1B locked up. Joe would be an ideal DH, but I guess if you’re just trying to outslug the opponent, adding Schwarber to a LF/DH mix (essentially replacing Tapia) makes sense …. That defense has an identity crisis. One could argue Joe, Rogers, Hampson and Blackmon are all playing out of position.
Joe’s not a first baseman at all. Not sure where you’re getting that. But agreed he’s a mediocre left fielder. Hampson is a far better fielder in CF (where he’s really quite spectacular … too bad he can’t hit). Blackmon’s alright in RF. At least he’s got a good arm. Presumably if they sign Schwarber or Bryant they’ll move Charlie to DH most days. Or trade him. Wonder if the ChiSox would take him and a prospect for Kimbrel?
Schwarber would DH.
Doubt it. He’s a better — and younger — fielder than Blackmon. I bet he’d slot into RF every day, and I’ll further bet they won’t sign Schwarber unless they promise him he’ll play in the field.
He would hit 60+ home runs there.
Maybe 40 or 50. I don’t think anyone’s hitting 60 again any time soon unless some new designer PEDs come out that don’t show up on drug tests.
The last paragraph is really the key to the post-lock-out market. In this case, a lot of teams have corner outfield needs and NL teams will have new DH needs…and yet the supply of “difference-maker” outfielders is quite small.
If you take out those with QO’s (Castellanos and Conforto) and those who are unproven in MLB (Suzuki), the “proven and unencumbered” market is Schwarber and Bryant and a bunch of less-exciting players not even worth mentioning in the article.
The demand for one or more of these 5 players (even those with QO’s attached) comes from at least 8-10 teams. MLBTR originally had Schwarber at 4/$70; he is reportedly asking for 3/$60 million. My guess is that he will get at least 3/$70 milion and maybe even 4/$90 million. He is the house that had a bidding war and sold for way over list price. If the Rockies think Schwarber will be a bargain, then they have badly misjudged the coming market.
I think the same thing will happen to Suzuki. I really doubt he has to settle for $55 million over 5 years. It will either be a shorter contract or a larger total dollar amount.
The Rockies are happy to overpay. That’s not a problem.
Why bother really? Colorado isnt going nowhere as usual. IDK who would want to sign there anyway bunch of snobs in Denver anyway.
Anyway $ anyway
Snobs? In freakin’ Denver? That’s about the least snobby city on earth. The Rox owner made his fortune in the cattle industry, for cryin out loud.
The snob reside in New Yuck and a Commifornia lol
San Fran, LALA, Snobsbad, ….
The number of people that want to pay a non tendered player $20MM per after they provide half a year of production just amazes me. He can’t field. He may not hit for average. He has shown no consistency at the level of production he provided last year. Good luck to whatever team signs Schwarber, as he is more risk, than reward.
That’s pretty unfair. He’s been an elite hitter before, and was a top 5 overall prospect. Dude has massive hitting talent. Just needs to stay healthy. And his fielding is generally not as bad as people seem to think. He’s alright.
….just needs to stay healthy….
That is like my wife saying “if money was not an issue”…..yes, yes then we would all buy a $10,000,000 home
Health, defense, ballpark you play in are all real issues
Schwarber to the Rockies makes no sense unless there is no other market for his services? I know I’m Kyle Schwarber I wanna play in October?
You never know. Rockies look far from the postseason every year but the years they did make it were a complete surprise. I don’t think anyone ever anticipates the Rockies getting to the postseason but they have defied people before. Tough division but you just never know.
Good fit for the Rockies I don’t see him wanting to go to a team years away from contention. Unless they make him a ridiculous offer, I think he takes less to go elsewhere.
Rockies should be trying to assemble the fleetest outfield possible.
Unless players are nearing retirement, they could care less if it’s a winner or not who signs them. i.e. Semien and Seager. They want cash. Who can blame them?
He would rake at Coors Field. Todd Helton 2.0.
Todd Helton 2.0 lol
He would be a solid addition. Don’t think I like him playing everyday in the OF in Colorado but you can find him a home at DH, Corner OF and 1st to spell Cron.
The Ridiculous stretch Schwarber had with Washington last season when he hit something like 11 HR’s in 10 games or whatever would be weekly numbers for him at Coors