Rockies Interested In Yovani Gallardo

The Colorado Rockies have shown interest in signing free agent pitcher Yovani Gallardo, according to John Heyman at MLB Network. Gallardo has narrowed his search down to three teams the Rockies, Orioles, and Astros. Colorado obviously needs starting pitching and Gallardo could be the ace the team requires to strengthen its starting rotation.

Yovani Gallardo, drafted 46th overall by the Milwaukee Brewers in 2004, has been a workhorse over the past five years with the Brewers and Rangers. Since 2011, Gallardo has started at least 30 games and won more than 12 of those starts in four of the past five years. Gallardo also has a 3.66 career ERA which is descent considering he pitched in hitter friendly Miller Park for the majority of his MLB career.

The Colorado Rockies could really use a pitcher like Yovani Gallardo to solidify its starting five. Gallardo’s not afraid to pitch at Coors Field, something the Rockies front office is guaranteed to like. However, the Rockies brass is quite hesitating giving up any draft picks to acquire free agents. Gallardo would require them to sacrifice their 2nd pick in the draft if he were to come to Colorado.

This move seems like a no brainer to me, picking up Gallardo would give the starting rotation the ace it so desperately needs. Having a front man like Gallardo would take the pressure off ageing “ace” pitcher Jorge De La Rosa and provide leadership to the young starters gaining form behind him. Yes giving up the 2nd draft pick would certainly sting, but given the poor history of developing starting pitching in the minors, I don’t think it really matters considering Gallardo is only 29.

Right now the Rockies have a good core of solid position players to build around. If Chad Bettis stays in the same form as last year and Tyler Chatwood recovers from Tommy John’s surgery successfully, the Rockies might have just enough of a starting rotation to at least compete for a wild card spot if they acquire Gallardo. The NL West is shaping up to be one of the most brutal divisions in baseball. The Colorado Rockies won’t stand a chance next year of improving in the division if they don’t acquire some form of starting pitching and Gallardo seems like the best option right now.