Colorado Rockies rumors: Zeroing in on Wade Davis as closer?

In an interview with Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post, Colorado Rockies general manager Jeff Bridich may have tipped his hand when it comes to Colorado’s top target as a closer should the team not re-sign Greg Holland.

In the article, Bridich said that the Rockies have “investigated” signing Wade Davis who, ironically, took over Holland’s role as closer with the Kansas City Royals in 2016 while Holland was shelved after undergoing Tommy John surgery. Davis made his second consecutive All-Star team that year on his way to compiling a 2-1 mark and 1.87 ERA with 27 saves.

Last season, Davis moved over to the Chicago Cubs and was once again named as an All-Star. He finished the season with a 4-2 record and 2.30 ERA while amassing a career-high 32 saves. In 58.2 innings, he struck out 79 and posted a WHIP of 1.142.

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Could Davis once again follow in Holland’s footsteps by coming to Denver for the 2018 campaign? Holland turned down a $17.4 million qualifying offer from the Rockies and is testing the free agent market after winning the National League Comeback Player of the Year award. Holland bounced back from his Tommy John surgery to tie a Rockies record with 41 saves, striking out 70 in 57.1 innings.

Rockies fans well remember Holland’s struggles in August when he went 1-4 with a 13.50 ERA and converted just three of six save opportunities. Despite the down month late in the campaign, Colorado seems very interested in bringing the 32-year-old right-hander back to be the closer in 2018 and possibly beyond.

Davis was a model of consistency for the Cubs last season, with his worst month coming in June with a 3.72 ERA. He converted 32 of 33 saves in 2017, with his only blown save coming on September 23 against Milwaukee when the Brewers were red-hot and on Colorado’s heels for the second Wild Card spot.

Also 32 years old, Davis made $10 million last season with the Cubs. He also turned down a $17.4 million qualifying offer from Chicago to become a free agent.

Next: Which internal candidates could be Colorado's closer in 2018?

Neither Holland nor Davis will come cheap for the Rockies. However, Bridich has said that shoring up the bullpen is one of his primary offseason goals so Colorado could be ready to spend to get the reliever they want for next season. In the same interview with Saunders, Bridich said Colorado will likely stay in the same neighborhood as 2017’s payroll number of $146.7 million.