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Colorado Rockies: 5 big bets and 2 possibilities who could help

By Kevin Henry

DENVER, CO - JULY 03: Raimel Tapia #7 of the Colorado Rockies hits a third inning ground rule double against the Cincinnati Reds at Coors Field on July 3, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - JULY 03: Raimel Tapia #7 of the Colorado Rockies hits a third inning ground rule double against the Cincinnati Reds at Coors Field on July 3, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /
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Raimel Tapia of the Colorado Rockies
DENVER, CO – JULY 03: Raimel Tapia #7 of the Colorado Rockies hits a third inning ground rule double against the Cincinnati Reds at Coors Field on July 3, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

In a recent ESPN.com article, it was argued that the Colorado Rockies still need to acquire another bat in their lineup. It is an argument that is seemingly gaining traction among many Rockies followers as we inch ever closer to the start of spring training.

In that article, it was mentioned that Colorado needs help at the corner outfield position. In projected WAR, the Rockies are tabbed dead last in left field and 26th in right field for the upcoming season. That takes into account Ian Desmond and Gerardo Parra holding down those two positions on Opening Day.

Certainly there are possibilities for the Rockies this season on the corners. Desmond and Parra are two of them, but there is also the possibility of David Dahl returning from a rib injury that cost him the entire 2017 season at the MLB level. Raimel Tapia will also have another year of experience under his belt and could factor into the conversation as well, as could Mike Tauchman, who earned his first Major League call-up last season.

Right now, the Rockies are making five big bets for the 2018 season …

  1. Ian Desmond has a bounceback year from his disappointing, injury-filled 2017 (career-low 95 games played and 40 RBI).
  2. In his first full MLB season, Ryan McMahon will be able to hold down the first base position and succeed at the plate.
  3. David Dahl is able to return to form from his injury.
  4. Raimel Tapia contributes by improving his defensive abilities and hits like he did at the end of the season (8-for-20 in September) rather than at the start of his campaign (0-for-14 in limited duty through June 9).
  5. Gerardo Parra will play like the 2017 Parra (.309 and 71 RBI in 115 games) rather than the 2016 Parra (.253 and 39 RBI in 102 games).

Those are big bets … and the Rockies will need the majority of them to come through if they hope to give the offense the power it needs for a second straight postseason push.

The aforementioned ESPN article listed two players who could help the Rockies in the outfield. One of them is a familiar friend and the other is intriguing, but brings uncertainties as well. Let’s take a look at those possibilities and if they would really boost Colorado.

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