Are the Colorado Rockies better than the Arizona Diamondbacks now?

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CHICAGO, IL – SEPTEMBER 16: Wade Davis #71 of the Chicago Cubs pitches against the St. Louis Cardinals during the ninth inning at Wrigley Field on September 16, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. The Chicago Cubs won 4-1. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images) /

This offseason, the free agent market has been very quiet for many teams as only seven players have signed contracts that are for more than $25 million. However, three of those seven (Wade Davis, Bryan Shaw, and Jake McGee) have signed with the Colorado Rockies.

In 2017, the Rockies finished six games back of the Arizona Diamondbacks for the first National Wild Card spot. With the moves made by the Rockies, including signing the aforementioned Davis, Shaw, and McGee as well as catcher Chris Iannetta, they have been, far and away, the most active team this offseason.

In fact, there has been $598.16 million spent on free agents this offseason, according to MLB Trade Rumors (note: this does not include Justin Upton, who is listed in MLBTR’s list but his contract was really an extension since he had an opt-out clause with the Angels and he resigned with them). The Rockies have spent about $114.5 million of that, or just under 20 percent of the money this offseason.

In contrast, the Arizona Diamondbacks have spent a meager $6.85 million on free agents (Japanese pitcher Yoshihisa Hirano and reliever TJ McFarland). However, with trades and signings, have the Rockies closed the gap between the two teams or have they even come close?

New Rockies reliever Bryan Shaw. Getty Images. /

Additions and subtractions for the Rockies

With being the most active team, the Rockies have a lot in the addition column but they also have had some subtractions.

Obviously, some of the players on the subtractions list were not huge losses (like Shane Carle, who made three appearances with the Rockies in 2017) but some, like Jonathan Lucroy, are much more of a loss. The Rockies seem to believe that Iannetta is similar to Lucroy but much cheaper (but if I can tell you one thing, that’s not the case: they need to acquire a starting catcher).

Additions and subtractions for the Diamondbacks

They obviously lost Chris Iannetta to the Rockies and have not made many additions, as we mentioned but they have a lot of subtractions.

So, the Diamondbacks have less overall subtractions and more overall additions than the Rockies but the quality of what the teams have is key.

DENVER, CO – JUNE 13: Catcher Chris Iannetta #20 of the Colorado Rockies throws out Jason Bartlett #8 of the San Diego Padres on a sacrafice bunt at Coors Field on June 13, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /

Comparing the two teams’ additions and subtractions

There is one stat that encompasses all aspects of a game. While it’s not perfect, WAR, or Wins Above Replacement is the stat.

With Hirano, in the past five seasons in Japan, he has averaged 29 saves and a 2.79 ERA so if he were to do that for the Diamondbacks in 2018, that would obviously add some WAR to their total it would still give the Rockies the clear advantage.

Comparing the teams subtractions

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So, on paper, the Rockies WAR of their additions and subtractions is -0.5 but, for the DBacks, it is much worse as, on paper, they have lost -8.2.

Final Thoughts

By just looking at WAR, the Rockies have clearly won the offseason thus far but both teams still have plenty to do before they head to Spring Training in Arizona in about a month.

However, if this list still says as such, I think that a lot of people will have the Rockies ahead of the DBacks in their predictions.

Next: An open letter to JD Martinez

If the Rockies make another move to get a first baseman or a corner outfielder, I think that the Rockies will be the clear favorite over the D’Backs.

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