Colorado Rockies: It just got harder to contend in the NL West

The Hot Stove has finally begun to heat up but one team that has been making some moves is one of the Colorado Rockies division rivals, the San Francisco Giants.

The Rockies hot stove has gone ice cold since the many signings in December. With last year’s National League Champion Dodgers most likely going back to the playoffs, every team in the NL West is on high alert. The San Fransisco Giants won three World Series in 2010, 2012, and 2014 and since they had a disastrous 2017 season, they have recently made some moves to make their team better as they have acquired outfielder Andrew McCutchen from the Pittsburgh Pirates, third baseman Evan Longoria from the Tampa Bay Rays, and signed free agent outfielder Austin Jackson to a two year contract. There moves show that the teams in the NL West are looking to contend. With that being said it may be much harder for the Rockies to contend.

More from Rox Pile

• A Colorado Rockies Thanksgiving
• Colorado Rockies: What if Todd Helton had played football instead?
• Colorado Rockies: Charlie Blackmon out for the season
• Colorado Rockies: Injuries shift look of roster ahead of Dodgers series
• Colorado Rockies: Has Sean Bouchard earned a second look in 2023?

Not all of the Rockies issues have been resolved

The Rockies added players needed to answer their offseason questions, but not all of them have been solved. An even bigger question may hover over Colorado while the rest of the NL West are making moves to better their teams: will it be harder to contend in 2018?

The Giants are going after not only hitters, but aiding defensive needs as well, particularly with their trade for Longoria, who has won Gold Gloves three times in his career, including one in 2017. If any of you believe in superstitions then you know that it’s an even year for the Giants. Judging by the amount of offseason transactions the Giants have made, particularly lately, it’s easy to see what their goal this offseason: they want to contend.

The Rockies want to contend as well. Rockies GM Jeff Bridich is very confident in the team and he truly believes they can win the World Series this year. Despite only adding one position player and three relievers, there is still a strong possibility at getting the top Wild Card spot. That’s all fine and dandy, but the big picture goal is first place in the NL West. The Rockies have the bullpen in order to contend but it’s questionable when it comes to their hitting and defense. The front office still hasn’t addressed the corner outfield and/or 1st base situation. It’s getting down to crunch time and there are still many strides that can be taken to either of the spots.

It can seem a little intimidating when you have a team that finished did not play well last season making big offseason moves. Then, you have the Rockies who flashed some serious cash to Wade Davis and other relievers with the possibility of it not paying off. The same goes for the Giants who have an even larger problem: age. This may play in favor to the Rockies with them having such a young core.

Final Thoughts

The Rockies are sure to have strong chance at finishing in a solid position to contend even though that is it’s probably not the position they want to be in as they’d like to be a bit more solid. There is still a decent amount of time before pitchers and catchers report to bolster their roster.

Next: What Larry Walker’s Hall of Fame troubles mean for Todd Helton

After the Giants have made their offseason moves, we’ll really have to see if they payoff during the season or if it all goes for naught.