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Rockies To Sign Ian Desmond

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11:38am: Desmond will earn $8MM in 2017, $22MM in 2018, $15MM apiece in 2019 and 2020, and then $8MM in 2021, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports (Twitter links). The 2022 option is valued at $15MM and comes with a $2MM buyout. Additionally, if he’s traded, Desmond will receive a $1MM bonus and pick up full no-trade protection from that point forward.

10:33am: The Rockies have stunned many around the game, reportedly agreeing to a five-year, $70MM contract with free agent infielder/outfielder Ian Desmond, pending a physical. Colorado will forfeit the top unprotected pick (No. 11 overall) in next year’s draft in order to sign Desmond, who rejected a qualifying offer from the Rangers at season’s end. Desmond is a client of CAA Sports.

Ian Desmond

Desmond, 30, spent the bulk of the 2015 season mired in a woeful slump at the plate and had to settle for a one-year deal in his first trip through the free-agent process last winter. That pact came with an $8MM guarantee and a position change, but Desmond handled the new role with aplomb. He played a solid left field before shifting to center and performing reasonably well, given his lack of experience at the position, while also bouncing back with a .285/.335/.446 batting line, 22 homers and 21 steals on the offensive side of the ball. That newfound versatility undoubtedly played a role in pushing his market up to the five-year threshold.

[Related: Updated Colorado Rockies Depth Chart]

Colorado hasn’t been listed as a suitor for Desmond — the Rockies have David Dahl, Charlie Blackmon, Carlos Gonzalez and Gerardo Parra in the outfield — but his addition does open some possibilities for GM Jeff Bridich to get creative with his roster. Initial reports suggest that Desmond will spend most of his time at first base for the Rockies — Bridich has hinted in recent days that he felt he could play at the top of the market for first base — though from my vantage point, there’s also merit to the idea of shifting Gonzalez to first and pushing Parra into a bench role. Desmond isn’t likely to see much time anywhere else in the infield, though, as the Rockies have an outstanding trio rounding out their infield corps in shortstop Trevor Story, second baseman DJ LeMahieu and superstar third baseman Nolan Arenado.

Of course, the Desmond addition also further opens the number of trade possibilities that Bridich and his staff can explore. Blackmon and Gonzalez have been oft-speculated trade candidates in the past and could theoretically be moved in order to help fill other areas of need on the roster. Colorado figures to be on the hunt for pitching help and some more certainty behind the plate as the offseason wears on. The addition of Desmond seems to be a clear signal, though, that none of those veteran outfielders would be moved merely for prospects. The five-year commitment and forfeiture of the top unprotected pick in next year’s draft is a decisive win-now move, so any further roster machinations should be in that same vein.

Rockies owner Dick Monfort has previously stated that his team’s payroll will rise to record levels in 2017, and the addition of Desmond looks to immediately ensure that. The deal could certainly be backloaded to soften the blow in 2017, but assuming an evenly distributed $14MM annual structure, the Rockies project to have a payroll in excess of $126MM. That’s about $14MM greater than the team’s Opening Day mark from 2016, and the Rockies still have other areas to address (as noted earlier).

Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports first reported the agreement (via Twitter). Joel Sherman of the New York Post reported the contract length (Twitter link), and FanRag’s Jon Heyman tweeted the $70MM guarantee. ESPN’s Jim Bowden tweeted news of the sixth-year option.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Rockies Open To Moving Blackmon For "High Return"

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The Cardinals are exploring several options as they look to the outfield market, with Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reporting that the club is thought to have spoken to the White Sox about a trade for Adam Eaton.  The Rockies are also open to the idea of swapping Charlie Blackmon for “a high return” and Goold notes that the Cards and Rox have held discussions in the past.  Goold also notes previously-reported Cardinals targets as Lorenzo Cain and Jarrod Dyson of the Royals and free agent Dexter Fowler, plus another notable free agent name in Ian Desmond.  USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported yesterday that the Cards had held some internal discussions about pursuing Desmond’s services.

Blackmon comes with two years of control via his arbitration years, and while the Rockies plan on contending in 2017, they could look at a Blackmon deal as an opportunity to solve an outfield logjam (to find a spot for Gerardo Parra) while also addressing other roster holes.  Starting or relief pitching are the most obvious needs for Colorado, and while the Cards have some arms to spare, they’ve already dealt perhaps their clearest pitching trade chip in Jaime Garcia.  The Rox also have an open spot at first base, so perhaps Matt Adams could factor into a potential trade package, though it would certainly take more than just Adams to land Blackmon.  Blackmon also has some questions marks due to his ordinary career numbers away from Coors Field.

Rockies Notes: Bridich, White Sox, Davis, Payroll

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  • Rockies owner Dick Monfort spoke of a payroll increase earlier this offseason, and Bridich confirmed that the team is still prepared to spend in the right circumstance.  Given that Colorado has been linked to such pricey names as Edwin Encarnacion and Mark Trumbo, it would indeed seem like the Rox have some money to spend.
  • Rockies GM Jeff Bridich confirmed reports that his team had spoken to the White Sox about first baseman Jose Abreu, speaking with MLB.com’s Thomas Harding and other reporters on Tuesday.  “We have been paying attention to any and all avenues of trying to upgrade ourselves at first base, and just like we’re in touch with a lot of teams, we have been in touch with the White Sox about, not just Abreu, but also a variety of their players, because they have expressed an interest in seeing what they can get,” Bridich said.  This is just my speculation, but with the Rockies looking for both back-end relief help and starting pitching, Robertson and Quintana would stand out as obvious players of interest on the Sox roster.  Bridich also said he had talked with the Royals “about a number of different things a number of times,” with Harding reporting that Wade Davis was one player under discussion.
  • Rockies owner Dick Monfort spoke of a payroll increase earlier this offseason, and Bridich confirmed that the team is still prepared to spend in the right circumstance.  Given that Colorado has been linked to such pricey names as Edwin Encarnacion and Mark Trumbo, it would indeed seem like the Rox have some money to spend.

Rockies Interested In Encarnacion, Trumbo, Abreu, Carter, Moreland

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The Rockies are casting a wide net in their search for a first baseman, as GM Jeff Bridich said the team is considering a large array of options, MLB.com’s Thomas Harding writes.  The list includes such expensive free agents as Edwin Encarnacion and Mark Trumbo to more affordable open-market names like Chris Carter or Mitch Moreland.

Intriguingly, Harding also reports that the Rockies have been in contact with the White Sox about a possible trade for Jose Abreu.  Talks haven’t advanced beyond the preliminary stage, and sources tell Harding that the Sox want multiple prospects from Colorado in exchange for the Cuban slugger.

This is the first concrete link between Encarnacion and Colorado this winter, though since the longtime Blue Jays slugger had been reportedly been contacted by at least a couple of NL teams interested in him as a full-time first baseman, the Rockies were a logical candidate since they’re one of the few National League teams with a first base vacancy.  Colorado’s interest in Trumbo was initially reported over the weekend.

Signing Encarnacion or Trumbo would be an expensive endeavor for the Rockies, and either would cost the club the 11th overall pick in the 2017 draft, as both Encarnacion and Trumbo rejected qualifying offers.  Carter and Moreland would cost much less, likely just one-year contracts.  While neither of that duo carries Encarnacion or even Trumbo’s track record, it could be argued that Carter or Moreland could at least come close to replicating what the two higher-tier free agents could produce in Coors Field but at a fraction of the price and without any cost of a draft pick.

As Harding notes, the Rockies have shown past interest in both Trumbo and Abreu.  Dealing for the latter would be an interesting middle ground between the free agent choices, though it would come at a cost to the Rockies in both minor league talent and money.  Abreu recently opted into arbitration eligibility, so while Colorado would have him under control for three more years, the first baseman would come with a significant price tag.

Abreu has delivered very good numbers in his first three MLB seasons, delivering a .299/.360/.515 slash line and 91 homers over 1985 big league plate appearances.  His last two years weren’t as impressive as his breakout Rookie Of The Year campaign in 2014, however, and Abreu has experienced declines in his home run and hard-hit ball rates.

The Rockies are also known to still be considering a reunion with Mark Reynolds.  Since the team is being so comprehensive in its search, Harding figures that names like Mike Napoli, Adam Lind, Logan Morrison and perhaps any available first basemen are also under consideration.

Bullpen Rumors: Melancon, Marlins, Lefties, Diamondbacks

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There’s plenty of bullpen chatter circulating as the Winter Meetings get underway. Here’s the latest…

  • The latest updates on Mark Melancon last night revealed that the three-time All-Star has received multiple four-year offers, potentially in excess of $60MM in some cases. The Nationals have indeed made a four-year offer to closer Mark Melancon, according to Jorge Castillo of the Washington Post, but their offer was for less than $60MM guaranteed. That makes a reunion look unlikely for now, barring an increase in the offer from the Nats.
  • FanRag’s Jon Heyman writes that Melancon is the Giants’ top target, and Greg Holland could be their primary alternative, as opposed to either Aroldis Chapman or Kenley Jansen. Heyman feels it’s unlikely that they’d pursue either Jansen or Chapman if they fall to land Melancon. The Giants and Nationals are pushing the hardest for Melancon, tweets Heyman.
  • The Nationals, Marlins, Cubs, Dodgers, Yankees and Giants are all in on Kenley Jansen, per ESPN’s Jim Bowden. Heyman tweets that the Marlins are intent on adding a top closer, and owner Jeffrey Loria is a fan of Chapman in particular. Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports that Loria is at the Winter Meetings and is participating in meetings with the representation for top-tier bullpen arms.
  • The Yankees, Mets, Blue Jays, Indians, Dodgers, Rockies and Diamondbacks are all in the market for a bullpen lefty, putting names like Mike Dunn, Boone Logan and Jerry Blevins in a good position, Heyman tweets. Heyman also tweeted this morning that the D-backs are focused on the bullpen at the moment and have no plans to “shock the world” like they did last offseason.
  • Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times tweets that veteran southpaw Joe Beimel is at the Winter Meetings and is seeking a minor league deal with an invite to Spring Training. Beimel, 40 in April, hasn’t pitched in the Majors since 2015 but had a nice two-year stretch in Seattle from 2014-15, posting a 3.12 ERA in 92 1/3 innings.

Mark Melancon Would Take Discount To Sign With Rockies

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  • Free agent closer Mark Melancon reportedly has four-year offers worth $60MM-plus in hand from San Francisco, Washington and perhaps another team. In light of that, Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post tweets that the Rockies probably aren’t the mystery club; however, as a Colorado native, Melancon would be open to taking a bit less to join the Rockies, Saunders hears. General manager Jeff Bridich has reached out to Melancon’s representatives this offseason, but it’s nonetheless difficult to imagine the Rockies putting together a rich enough offer to land the 31-year-old.

Rockies Interested In Mark Trumbo

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The Rockies are showing interest in free agent outfielder/first baseman Mark Trumbo, reports MLB Network’s Jon Morosi, who adds that there will be further “clarity” on his market during next week’s winter meetings (Twitter link).

Trumbo spent the majority of 2016 as a right fielder with the Orioles, and the Rockies already have at least two starting-caliber corner options in Carlos Gonzalez and David Dahl. On the other hand, Colorado has a gaping hole at first base, with its 2016 contributors having combined for the majors’ fourth-lowest fWAR (minus-1.3). Three of those players – Mark Reynolds, Stephen Cardullo and Ben Paulsen – are now free agents, while penciled-in starter Gerardo Parra is normally an outfielder and is coming off a miserable season. After hitting an unsightly .253/.271/.399 with a paltry nine walks in 381 plate appearances, the Rockies would be hard-pressed to count on Parra as an everyday solution anywhere.

Unlike Parra, Trumbo thrived at times this past season. The former Angel, Diamondback and Mariner slashed .256/.316/.533 with a major league-best 47 home runs in 667 trips to the plate in his first (and only?) year with the O’s. Trumbo faded in the second half of the season, however, with a .214/.284/.470 line in 292 post-All-Star break PAs. His game also comes with baserunning and defensive limitations, but he’s certainly a better fit as an everyday first baseman than a regular outfielder, as he admitted to Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com last winter.

While Trumbo’s power and offense-friendly Coors Field would likely serve as an enticing mix, Colorado would have to surrender quite a bit to secure the soon-to-be 31-year-old. With Trumbo having rejected a qualifying offer from the Orioles, it would cost the Rockies a first-round pick – the 11th overall selection in the 2017 draft – to sign him. Both that and his next contract (MLBTR projects a four-year, $60MM deal) would combine for a steep price for the Rockies, who are set to spend a franchise-record amount next season.

Rockies, Jake McGee Avoid Arbitration

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  • Lefty Jake McGee picks up a $5.9MM salary from the Rockies, also via Heyman (on Twitter). That’s just shy of his $6.1MM projection. Though the high price tag (driven by prior years’ save tallies) had made McGee at least a hypothetical non-tender candidate, it’s not surprising to see him return. Colorado will hope that he can restore some velocity and improve upon the 4.73 ERA and 7.5 K/9 against 3.2 BB/9 that he posted in his first year with the Rox.

Rockies Non-Tender Two Players

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  • Departing the Rockies’ 40-man are righty Matt Carasiti and infielder/outfielder Stephen Cardullo, the club announced. Neither was eligible for arbitration.

Rockies Have Not Made Extension Offer To CarGo

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  • There’s been no formal extension offer made by the Rockies to Carlos Gonzalez, who said last week that the team has expressed interest in an extension. According to Heyman, that could be due to the fact that initial suggestions were deemed “too low” by Gonzalez’s camp to even merit an official offer. CarGo is just one year away from free agency and could be an appealing trade piece for the Rox this summer if the team doesn’t contend in 2017.
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