Colorado Rockies: Six Players, Six Key Free Agency Questions

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Aug 9, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies left fielder Ryan Raburn (6) reacts after striking out in the eighth inning against the Texas Rangers at Coors Field. The Rangers defeated the Rockies 7-5. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

Free Agent #3 – Ryan Raburn

Contract just completed: 1 year/$1.5 million

Ryan Raburn was signed in the offseason by the Rockies to help the team do better against left-handed pitching. However, injuries and circumstances forced Raburn to do a lot more than just that last season and it simply didn’t work.

The 35-year-old outfielder finished the season batting just .220 with nine homers and 30 RBI. Part of the reason was that Raburn didn’t just face left-handed pitchers as was originally the reason he was brought on board. He actually had more plate appearances against right-handed pitching (137) than southpaws (114). In either situation, Raburn didn’t fare well, hitting .229 against lefties and .213 against right-handers.

Take into account that Raburn hit .371 in 18 April games with four homers and eight RBI and you can see how he struggled the rest of the season. However, he did have a shining moment in August when his two-run double produced the game-winning run in extra innings against Aroldis Chapman and the Chicago Cubs.

He served as Colorado’s designated hitter in six games last season and even played some first base when called upon. He was versatile, but simply didn’t bring to the table what the Rockies were looking for when he was originally signed. For that reason, Raburn won’t be back with the team in 2017.

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