Rockies Links: Pitching, the bullpen, and NL West general managers

In today’s links, we take a look at what the Colorado Rockies can do to address their need for pitching, where their bullpen stands, and some of the rival general managers in the National League West.

The Colorado Rockies need pitching. They need starting pitching and they need relief pitching. As the start of spring training sneaks up on us in the next couple months, the addition of more quality arms will be the key aspect of focus with the Rockies.

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That is the case in an off-season that, thus far, has been characterized by inaction in Colorado and chaos everywhere else in the National League West. It is an interesting contrast; while it can be frustrating to think that the Rockies are getting left behind by the rest of the division, it is not necessarily clear that the right “big” move has been available this off-season for Jeff Bridich to consider, at least not yet.

It is with those issues in mind that we take a look at today’s Rockies links.

From Zach Links and Edward Creech: Checking In On Teams In Need Of Pitching (MLB Trade Rumors)

"The Rockies haven’t done a whole lot to improve their pitching situation so far this winter, though they’ve been connected to a handful of starters…Aaron Harang has also been connected to the Rockies, but he doesn’t fit the bill as a ground ball pitcher…The Rockies have talked with the Mets about Dillon Gee, but we haven’t heard much on that front lately."

Links and Creech also note the Rockies’ rumored interest in Kevin Correia and Kyle Kendrick. None of these options are exciting, of course, but they could serve to buy the Rockies time in a season that they will otherwise be punting (whether they want to admit it or not).

For whatever it’s worth, the Rockies have also reportedly “checked in” on Max Scherzer and James Shields. That’s probably nothing, but hey, we can dream, right?

From Carolyn Jelley: Breaking down the Rockies’ 2015 bullpen as it stands (Purple Row)

"However, at 42, Hawkins likely won’t carry a workhorse load. Instead, I see Adam Ottavino transitioning this season from setup man to a closer role. He’s a proven late inning performer, with an arsenal conducive to pitching at altitude. If the Rockies can develop Ottavino into a sound closer, they’ll have control of his electric speed and nasty slider through at least a few years of possible contention."

The interesting thing about LaTroy Hawkins, as noted previously, is that he was protected in 2014 at least in part because the Rockies stunk to high heaven. I continue to wonder if more save opportunities for Hawkins would have resulted in more disappointment over the course of 2014.

I’m not persuaded that Ottavino would be the answer in that role, but I do believe the Rockies’ closer should ultimately be somebody other than LaTroy Hawkins.

From Jerry Crasnick: MLB’s most interesting people in ’15 (ESPN.com)

"A.J. PrellerPreller, operating on a fast-food diet and four hours of sleep a night, dominated the baseball news cycle before the holidays with trades for Matt Kemp, Justin Upton, Wil Myers, Derek Norris and Will Middlebrooks — prompting Kemp to label him a front-office “rock star”……With his bold decision-making and unlimited energy, Preller has brought a buzz to San Diego baseball that hasn’t been seen since the Padres’ last trip to the World Series in 1998."

Crasnick also lists Andrew Friedman, VP of Baseball Operations for the Los Angeles Dodgers, as one of his 15 people to watch. The action has been in the NL West this off-season, and one way or another, that is going to have an impact on the Rockies for the seasons to come.

Next: Should the Rockies pursue James Shields?