Colorado Rockies: This is what they need to do in the offseason

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Charlie Blackmon of the Colorado Rockies

DENVER, CO – OCTOBER 01: Charlie Blackmon #19 of the Colorado Rockies waits on deck in the first inning of a regular season MLB game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Coors Field on October 1, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Russell Lansford/Getty Images) /

To do list: Resign Charlie Blackmon to a long-term contract

Here’s why the Rockies were so bad this past eight or so years. The Rockies found two really good hitters to build their team around in Carlos Gonzalez and Troy Tulowitzki. Unfortunately, both players had problems staying on the field. Tulo was ultimately traded, and the Rockies quickly spiraled into rebuilding. Why? Because, in 2015, both stars were healthy, and still couldn’t make it to the postseason. It was time for a change.

Colorado Rockies /

Colorado Rockies

You could argue Charlie Blackmon is the best player on the Rockies right now, but Nolan Arenado is also a really valuable star on this team. Essentially, Blackmon and Arenado are the new duo in the Mile High City. They are the cornerstone to the Rockies success. You lose one of these guys, you lose the opportunity to compete for the World Series.

The upcoming season is the last year the Rockies can guarantee Charlie Blackmon will be playing in the purple pinstripes. Like I have already stated, the Rockies actually have an opportunity to free up a ton of cap space. Perhaps it will be enough to lock up Blackmon until at least 2020, if not even later.

Assemble a bullpen

Whether its through resigning Pat Neshek and Jake McGee or to sign guys the same way they did last year, the Rockies proved this year just how important the bullpen can be for a playoff team. Just take a look at the difference between the 2016 and 2017 Rockies.The biggest change was the drastic difference in the bullpen. That meant the difference between 87 wins in 2017 and 87 losses in 2016.

Let’s also take a look at the recent Wild Card game. Jon Gray is out before end of the second inning. Imagine if the Rockies would have had to play that game with their bullpen in 2016. It’s almost funny thinking about how many runs the Diamondbacks would have put up. The bullpen was a relief pitcher triple away from saving the Rockies and sending them to the NLDS.

Next: Looking at 3 offseason needs and targets for the Rockies

If the Rockies can take yet another step forward in these departments, who knows just how unstoppable the Rockies could end up being?

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