Colorado Rockies: 3 Reasons for Optimism with the Offseason

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Sep 4, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies center fielder Raimel Tapia (68) in the ninth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

Keeping the Farm Intact

The Rockies could have and still may make a trade for a front line starting pitcher or a bullpen piece with their stacked farm system, but they haven’t yet. Maybe that is a good thing. The farm system continues to get love as Keith Law placed the system in the top ten in baseball.

The Rockies have multiple highly touted prospects on the cusp of the major leagues. Jeff Hoffman, German Marquez and even Kyle Freeland can compete for the fifth spot in the rotation as well as providing depth in case of injury or ineffectiveness. There is also a bevy of young arms that could help from the bullpen late in the season in a push for contention.

Raimel Tapia could likely start the season in the majors but will likely get more seasoning in AAA. Ryan McMahon will hopefully bounce back and could be a late season call up. Both will allow the Rockies to make some moves whether they are filling in for a guy who was traded or being a part of a move themselves.

Another positive of having all of these guys is the ability to make a more informed trade later in the season. This is a strategy, as pointed out by Thomas Harding in a recent article, which helped propel the Indians and Royals to recent playoff success. I think this is a good way for the Rockies to go with all the possibilities they have. Maybe they won’t have the need for a fifth starter with one of the young guys stepping up in a big way in 2017, then they can trade some prospects for a bullpen guy, or vice versa.

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If they cannot sign Carlos Gonzalez to a contract extension, then deal him and let Desmond or Tapia slide into the outfield.

The Rockies will definitely have the pieces to make significant upgrades at the trade deadline if they need to, but there is no reason to give up multiple guys for one right now. Either the young guys can fill the need or they can be traded to fill the need when it is more clear what Colorado’s need is later in the season.

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