Colorado Rockies rumors and news: Day 1 Winter Meetings recap

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CLEVELAND, OH – AUGUST 05: Carlos Santana #41 of the Cleveland Indians bats against the New York Yankees in the ninth inning at Progressive Field on August 5, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Yankees defeated the Indians 2-1. (Photo by David Maxwell/Getty Images) /

As the first full day of the Winter Meetings started to wind down on Monday afternoon, there was plenty of news and rumors involving the Colorado Rockies.

On the rumor front, the newest is the Rockies have been said to have some interest in free agent first baseman Carlos Santana. Colorado isn’t the only team interested in the switch-hitting slugger who blasted 23 home runs and drove in 79 RBI for the Cleveland Indians last season. He has drawn plenty of interest and is expected to bring in more than the reported three year, $36 million offered by the Indians before the 32-year-old Santana decided to test the open market.

Another first baseman originally rumored to be eyed by the Rockies is Logan Morrison, who made a big splash with the Tampa Bay Rays last season. We covered the rumor about Morrison in this article. However, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post tweeted out late Monday afternoon that Morrison was not a part of Colorado’s plans.

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With first basemen being linked to the Rockies (in reality and in speculation), it is apparent that Colorado does not believe it found the long-term answer at the position when it signed Ian Desmond to a five-year, $70 million deal last season. Desmond will likely spend time in the outfield and at first base again in 2018 and the games per position could swing wildly depending on who the Rockies sign … or do not sign.

Speaking of the Indians, there is also still talk that the Rockies are interested in power-hitting outfielder Jay Bruce. We covered that rumor in this article.

The Rockies are also reportedly “aggressively pursuing” Tampa Bay closer Alex Colome. You can read more about that rumor by clicking here.

PHOENIX, AZ – OCTOBER 04: Manager Bud Black #10 of the Colorado Rockies watches the action during the third inning of the National League Wild Card game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on October 4, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

On the news front, Colorado manager Bud Black was a part of various interviews throughout the day at the Winter Meetings. When he was asked about the possibilities of the Rockies re-signing closer Greg Holland, he told reporters that it was “on his wish list.” Black also had some other interesting comments about a potential reunion with Holland that we outlined in this article.

Speaking of the Rockies bullpen, we now know that Pat Neshek will not be returning in a Colorado uniform in 2018. Reports have Neshek returning to Philadelphia as a member of the Phillies with a two-year (plus club option) deal valued at $16.25 million.

Neshek did well for the Rockies last season after being acquired at the trade deadline from the Phillies. In his 28 games with Colorado, he went 2-1 with a 2.45 ERA in 22 innings of work. The right-hander had 24 strikeouts and walked just one batter, helping solidify the back end of the Colorado bullpen and set the table for Holland.

Next: Here is our Winter Meetings Wish List for the Rockies

His departure puts more reality into the fact that the Rockies are going to need to rebuild the bullpen in order to maintain last year’s level of success. Neshek was a key component of that down the stretch, as was Holland and Jake McGee, who is also a free agent.

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As the first full day of the Winter Meetings started to wind down on Monday afternoon, there was plenty of news and rumors involving the Colorado Rockies.

More from Rox Pile

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