Colorado Rockies: The case for and against adding three free agents

It has been reported that the Colorado Rockies are still in contact with Carlos Gonzalez about a possible reunion for the 2018 season. There was a time not long ago when the thought of bringing back CarGo for another run with the Rockies was not considered a serious thought. However, there is apparently still life in the possibility of it occurring.

There is also talk about bringing back former Rockies Mark Reynolds and Corey Dickerson for another run with the team. In fact, there are still numerous free agents out there who could be a fit with Colorado for 2018. Hey, Jon Heyman even linked Colorado as a possible home for Jonathan Lucroy again this season. There are still a lot of possibilities out there for what could happen between now and the end of spring training.

However, one thing to consider with any signing is this: What will it do to the 25-man Opening Day roster? Signing CarGo, Reynolds, Dickerson, Lucroy or any other current free agent almost assuredly gives them a spot on the Opening Day roster. And, with that, someone will lose their spot on that same roster.

Last year’s Opening Day roster featured 13 pitchers and 12 position players. Of those 12 position players, two were catchers. That left 10 spots to split between infield and outfield. By the way, if you want to know just how much the Rockies roster has evolved in a year, remember that Cristhian Adames, Alexi Amarista and Stephen Cardullo were members of last year’s Opening Day roster.

If manager Bud Black once again brings 12 position players into the Opening Day this season, that would likely once again mean 10 outfielders/infielders and two catchers. We know some of those spots are already taken by (barring injury) Nolan Arenado, DJ LeMahieu, Trevor Story, Charlie Blackmon, Ian Desmond and Gerardo Parra. That leaves four spots.

That group would likely need a first baseman (Ryan McMahon) and backup infielder (Pat Valaika). You’re now down to two spots with names like David Dahl and Raimel Tapia likely to fill those. By signing CarGo, Reynolds or anyone else, one of the names listed above would likely fall off the Opening Day roster.

Dahl’s health is still a question mark and he or Tapia could start the season in Triple-A regardless if someone like a Mike Tauchman or Jordan Patterson were to impress in spring training. However, one of the two will assuredly be in the minors to start the season with a single free agent signing.

So how would a free agent signing impact the Rockies? Let’s take a look at some of the projections of three former Rockies now looking for a new home.