Colorado Rockies: Which players are heading for arbitration?

One of the key parts of the offseason is the process of arbitration. The Colorado Rockies will go through arbitration this offseason with five members of its 2017 squad, including a pair of players who could be in for a big (and well deserved) pay raise.

The five Colorado players scheduled for arbitration this offseason include pitcher Chad Bettis, outfielder Charlie Blackmon, second baseman DJ LeMahieu, and pitchers Zac Rosscup and Chris Rusin. Let’s take a look at what each of them made in 2017 and what each of them could be making for the 2018 season, thanks to projections in this MLBTradeRumors article.

One of the more interesting parts of arbitration is what a player asks for based on what he brought to the field for his team the previous season. Contributions from four of the five players mentioned above were critical to Colorado’s success in 2017. That is a key point to remember heading into this process.

Chad Bettis

Just finished 1-year, $545,000 contract

Projected for 2018: $1.5 million

Thoughts: Bettis was one of the best stories of the season, battling and overcoming testicular cancer and subsequent chemotherapy to return to the mound in August. In nine starts, he went 2-4 with a 5.05 ERA. Over the past three seasons, he has made 61 starts for Colorado.

Colorado Rockies

Bettis figures to be in the Colorado rotation again in 2018 after being expected to report to spring training rejuvenated and healthy.

Charlie Blackmon

Just finished 1-year, $7.3 million contract

Projected for 2018: $13.4 million

Chuck Nazty will be the highest-paid member of the group … and for good reason. A historic 2017 helped push the Rockies into the postseason as well as push the bearded wonder into the national conversation for Most Valuable Player consideration.

Remember last offseason when Blackmon was the subject of so many trade rumors? Don’t be surprised if those same rumors pop up again this offseason. His value has never been higher.

DJ LeMahieu

Just finished 2-year, $7.8 million contract

Projected for 2018: $8.8 million

Thoughts: Colorado’s All-Star second baseman is certainly due a nice raise in 2018. His offense and defense has earned the paycheck. Honestly, is there any second baseman who makes a prettier sliding stop and throw out than LeMahieu?

Finishing his sixth season as a member of the Colorado organization, LeMahieu has batted over .300 each of the past three seasons, including winning the league’s batting title in 2016 with a .348 mark. This year, the 29-year-old hit .310 with eight homers and 64 RBI but did ground into a career-high 24 double plays.

Chris Rusin

Just finished 1-year, $545,000 contract

Projected for 2018: $1.4 million

Rusin was the glue for the Colorado bullpen, going 5-1 with a 2.65 ERA in 60 games. If you needed an out or a bridge to the back end of the bullpen, Rusin was there to be that guy. His value to Colorado’s success was often overlooked and underappreciated.

After a season of bouncing between the bullpen and rotation, Rusin excelled as a “straight out of the bullpen guy.” He will play a major role for the Rockies again in 2018.

Next: Which free agents could return to Colorado in 2018?

Zac Rosscup

Just finished 1-year, $535,000 contract

Projected for 2018: $600,000

Traded to the Rockies by the Chicago Cubs in June for Matt Carasiti, the 29-year-old left-hander saw action in just nine games for Colorado, posting a 5.14 ERA in seven innings of work.