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Colorado Rockies: offseason strategy should target 5 players

By James LaGrow

DENVER, CO - APRIL 09: The statue of 'The Player' stands watch outside the stadium as the San Francisco Giants face the Colorado Rockies on Opening Day at Coors Field on April 9, 2012 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - APRIL 09: The statue of 'The Player' stands watch outside the stadium as the San Francisco Giants face the Colorado Rockies on Opening Day at Coors Field on April 9, 2012 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) /
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FIRST BASE

Player: Carlos Santana

Former Team: Cleveland Indians

2017 Statistics:

  • Offense: .259 BA / .363 OBP / .455 SLG     37-2B, 3-3B, 23 HR, 79 RBI, 5 SB, 88 BB, 94 SO, 3.4 WAR, 112 OPS+, 13.2% BB Rate, 14.09% SO Rate
  • Defense: .996 Fld%, 1,155 CH, 95 PO, 5 E, 129 DP, 10 DRS

Acquisition Route: Free Agency

  • Terms of the Deal: 5 years, $ 90,000,000 – with a year 3 opt-out clause

Why Carlos?

Mark Reynolds had a true renaissance season in 2017.  His overall production was strong enough it earned him the 6th most votes in Sports Weekly’s Comeback Player of the Year Awards. Reynolds final line in 2017 included a .267 BA / .352 OBP / .487 SLG, 30 homeruns, 97 RBI’s, 82 runs, 0.9 WAR, and a 105 OPS+. That’s all the good. It also included 175 strikeouts (3rd most among 1st Baseman in baseball), a 29.5% strikeout percentage (when you include his entire 593 plate appearances). Despite Reynolds 6 errors and .995 fielding  percentage, Reynolds placed among the worst first baseman in baseball with -4 Defensive Runs Saved, ranking him the 118th worst defensive player in baseball.

Moving forward, the Colorado Rockies need to shore up the first base position the for long haul. Naturally, they will need to find a true improvement to keep them team moving in the right direction, hence, Carlos Santana. Starting with basic offensive numbers, in 2017, Santana registered a .259 BA / .363 OBP / .455 SLG. In addition, he hit 23 homeruns, drove in 79 runs, scored 90 runs, and stole 5 bases. He would walk 88 times and he had 94 total strikeouts, only 14.09% of his at bats. The strikeout difference alone, is nearly 45% fewer than Mark Reynolds, which will lead to more balls in play, and help offensive efficiency.

Secondly, Santana, currently one of the finalists for the American League Gold Glove , held a .996 Fielding Percentage, with 5 errors, and a + 8 defensive runs saved (59th in the league among all ball players).

Santana, would more than likely fill the number four spot in Colorado Rockies Lineup. His plate discipline would improve the middle of the order for the Colorado Rockies, and allow for interesting moments to occur at 20th & Blake.

Added Value:  Postseason leadership, plate discipline, veteran leadership, offensive power, clutch hitting, and great defense.

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