Colorado Rockies: 4 interesting Wade Davis press conference quotes

Quote 4: What Jake McGee told Davis about Bud Black and playing in Colorado

“He said he loved it. He said Bud Black is one of the best to play for.”

This is a pretty short quote but also speaks to something that is a new intangible that the Rockies can throw out to free agent pitchers. Come to Colorado and you’re going to have a former pitcher as your manager. Come to Colorado and you’re going to have a guy who has fought the same battles as you have on your side. Come to Colorado and you’re going to get a guy who has quickly developed a reputation in Denver as someone loved by his players, the media and the fans.

That speaks volumes when you’re trying to make a decision. Again, as was stated earlier, the money never hurts when you’re being paid the kind of salary that Davis is being paid. However, this is a team and clubhouse you’re going to have to be a part of from February until late October or early November. Those are a lot of months where you’re going to have to be around your teammates and manager. Wouldn’t you rather enjoy what you were doing and feel like you were a part of a functional clubhouse run by an even-keeled manager than some of the dysfunction that we have seen with other Major League teams?

Next: 18 things we are looking forward to in the 2018 season

There is a lot more to signing free agents than just throwing money at them. Davis and the thoughts he expressed on Tuesday is a perfect example of that.