MLB season preview: Will the Rockies finally find some direction?
Editor’s Note: With the arrival of baseball season we’re previewing each MLB team, from worst to best. We’ll look at their key offseason moves, projected lineup, best and worst possible outcomes plus examine the team’s fantasy implications. Our daily series continues with No. 27: The Colorado Rockies.
There are two types of losing teams — the teams that lose with purpose, rebuliding with an eye toward the future, saving money and building prospects. Then there are teams like the Colorado Rockies, who aren’t going to win this season but haven’t full committed to a rebuild either.
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The Rockies have future building blocks in Nolan Arenado and Jon Gray (more on them below), but they also went out this season and spend $30 million to sign a so-so outfielder when they had a pretty good outfield but needed pitching help (just look at those ERAs!) They also haven’t dealt Carlos Gonzalez yet, who is one of their best trade chips.
So while teams like the Phillies and the Braves may lose more games this season than the Rockies, it sure seems like the Rockies are worse off. Where are they going? Shrug. When are they getting there? Shrug.
Key additions: Gerardo Parra, Jake McGee, Mark Reynolds
Key subtractions: Corey Dickerson, John Axford
It was quite a confusing offseason in Colorado. Despite having three starting-caliber outfielders, the team went out and signed Gerardo Parra. That led to Dickerson being dealt for reliever Jake McGee. McGee is a good player, and should be a solid closer, but how much value is that going to provide on a team that could lose 90 games? If the Rockies are as bad as everything thinks, he could be flipped at the deadline. Mark Reynolds isn’t particularly exciting, but it should be fun to see how his ridiculous power plays in one of the best hitter-friendly ballparks in the majors. (Chris Cwik)
Jon Gray: If the Rockies hope to contend again, the club is going to have to develop some pitching prospects. Enter Gray. The 24-year-old is known for his blazing fastball, which led to him being selected as the third pick in the 2013 draft. Gray’s awful 5.53 ERA in 40 2/3 innings last season doesn’t look good, but he did post solid peripherals.
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The youngster struck out almost a batter per inning, and his walk rate wasn’t out of control. It should come as no surprise that he was much better on the road, posting a 2.70 ERA in 20 innings. Pitching in Coors Field can ruin many arms, so it will be up to Gray to make things work. He has a high upside and could be the best homegrown pitcher since Jeff Francis, but Colorado’s altitude has destroyed promising arms in the past. (Cwik)
Lineup:
1. Charlie Blackmon, OF (.287/.347/.450, 93 R, 17 HR, 58 RBI, 43 SB)
2. DJ LeMahieu, 2B (.301/.358/.388, 85 R, 6 HR, 61 RBI, 23 SB)
3. Carlos Gonzalez, OF (.271/.325/.540 87 R, 40 HR, 97 RBI)
4. Nolan Arenado, 3B (.287/.323/.575 97 R, 42 HR, 130 RBI)
5. Gerardo Parra, OF (.291/.328/.452 83 R, 14 HR, 51 RBI, 14 SB)
6. Ben Paulsen, 1B (.277/.326/.462 42 R, 11HR, 49 RBI)
7. Nick Hundley, C (.301/.339/.467 45 R, 10 HR, 43 RBI)
8. Rafael Ynoa, SS (.260/.277/.339 14 R, 0 HR, 9 RBI)
Rotation:
1. Jorge De La Rosa (9-7, 4.17 ERA, 149 IP, 134 K)
2. Chad Betis (8-6, 4.23 ERA, 115 IP, 98 K)
3. Chris Rusin (6-10 5.33 ERA, 131.2 IP, 86 K)
4. Jon Gray (0-2 5.53 ERA, 40.2 IP, 40 K)
5. Jordan Lyles (2-5 5.14 ERA, 49 IP, 30 K)
— compiled by Kyle Ringo
A fourth last place finish in five seasons is on the table. The Rockies look like contenders every offseason, but reality always tells a different story. One of these years the bottom will fall out completely, and this could be it. Until it does though, they’re a perpetually directionless franchise just wandering deeper into baseball’s abyss. (Townsend)
Who’s the closer? After trading Corey Dickerson for him, Jake McGee sure seems like the favorite. Adam Ottavino is recovering from Tommy John surgery, so Jason Motte appears to be the only real competition. Rockies closers (and pitchers in general) have almost always been poor fantasy investments, but McGee may be an exception. He relies heavily on his fastball (he’s thrown it 91.4% of the time during his career), so the whole Coors Field effect on breaking balls should matter less, although save opportunities may not be plentiful on a team projected to finish near the bottom of its division.
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When should you grab Gerardo Parra? He had 14 steals, 14 homers and scored 83 runs last year while batting .291 and now gets to call Coors Field home. It’s a park that’s increased run scoring by 40 percent over the past three seasons. The next highest in major league baseball is seven percent over that span. Parra is looking at regular playing time as Colorado’s new everyday left fielder and could even hit atop its lineup. It’s a little puzzling his current Yahoo ADP is outside the top-215. He should be going much higher.
His beard may be weird, but his Twitter and Instagram presence is not trash. Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon brings the laughs @Chuck_Nazty with a sharp sense of humor and a strong sense of sarcasm. It’s helped make him a fan favorite in Colorado. What else can you expect if you decide to hit the follow button? Blackmon’s an avid fisherman, so watch for pictures of his excursions on the water. The jokes alone are worth the price of admission, which is free, giving you no good reason not to check Mr. @Chuck_Nazty out. (Israel Fehr)
As messy as the Rockies seem to be, the one thing that’s undeniable is Arenado. He’s a joy to watch. Last seaosn, he had a breakout season at the plate, which complemented his superb defense. Just look at this.
Arenado has a chance to become a must-watch player this season, which is good for the Rockies, because there’s not much else worth watching. (Mike Oz)
PREVIOUSLY IN THIS SERIES:
#30: Philadelphia Phillies | #29: Atlanta Braves | #28: Milwaukee Brewers
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Mike Oz is the editor of Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @MikeOz
