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Colorado Rockies: a look at Bleacher Report’s power rankings entering the offseason

By Noah Yingling

DENVER, CO - AUGUST 04: Starting pitcher Kyle Freeland #31 of the Colorado Rockies throws in the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Coors Field on August 4, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. Freeland left the game in the first inning with an injury. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - AUGUST 04: Starting pitcher Kyle Freeland #31 of the Colorado Rockies throws in the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Coors Field on August 4, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. Freeland left the game in the first inning with an injury. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /
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We are less than 18 hours removed from the Houston Astros winning the 2017 World Series so you know what that means? That means that we are already looking forward to the 2018 season. Earlier today, Kevin talked about the Rockies and how they were ranked in ESPN’s power rankings entering the offseason. However, Bleacher Report also ranked all 30 teams and they ranked the Rockies to be much higher.

Entering the 2017-18 MLB offseason, our sister-company Bleacher Report ranked all of the 30 MLB teams entering the offseason. They ranked the Colorado Rockies higher than ESPN as they ranked them as the 9th best team in baseball.

Considering that the eight teams ahead of them all made the playoffs, I, personally, think that ninth is about right for the Rockies.The Rockies, obviously, got to the playoffs as the National League’s second Wild Card team but they definitely have some work to do this offseason.

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As Joel Reuter, the author of the power ranking on Bleacher Report says, the Rockies bullpen ERA went from worst in baseball in 2016 to 16th last season. However, key relievers like Greg Holland, Jake McGee, and Pat Neshek will all be free agents. They don’t need to necessarily resign these three but they need to sign some pieces to help the bullpen for 2018 to maintain what they were in 2017 or even get better.

Also, as Reuter mentions, you have to consider that with the Rockies young starting pitching staff, including German Marquez, Antonio Senzatela, Kyle Freeland, Jon Gray, and Jeff Hoffman, it will be another year of development for them so you would expect them to be even better. Also, it will help if they are healthy for the full length of the season next year.

Another point that he makes is that re-signing catcher Jonathan Lucroy could be beneficial for the team. He helped the team offensively (he had a 115 OPS+ while with the Rockies) and he also helped the pitching staff.

Next: Which free agents could return?

Nonetheless, the free agency and trade season is upon us and, for the Rockies, it will definitely be an interesting one, for sure.

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