Colorado Rockies: Potential roster quibbles heading into the season

There are some players that are obvious locks on the Rockies. Nolan Arenado, Charlie Blackmon, DJ LeMahieu, Carlos Gonzalez, Trevor Story, and Jon Gray are some of the many that are locks. However, there are some players, like Antonio Senzatela, Zac Rosscup, and Raimel Tapia that are a few players that may potentially not make the roster.

On Thursday, Thomas Harding of MLB.com speculated on what the roster could look like for the Colorado Rockies when they break from spring camp in a little over a week. However, we have a few quibbles with how the roster would look like.

On Harding’s roster, he has players like Scott Oberg and Zac Rosscup on the roster. We would make a few changes to switch out those four players.

Here’s how I think that the roster will go

Catchers (2): Chris Iannetta, Tony Wolters

First Base (2): Ryan McMahon, Ian Desmond

Second Base (1): DJ LeMahieu

Third Base (1): Nolan Arenado

Shortstop (1): Trevor Story

Utility Infielder (1): Pat Valaika

Outfielders (5): Carlos Gonzalez, Charlie Blackmon, Gerardo Parra, Mike Tauchman, Raimel Tapia

Starting Pitchers (5): Jon Gray, German Marquez, Kyle Freeland, Chad Bettis, Tyler Anderson

Bullpen (8): Wade Davis, Jake McGee, Bryan Shaw, Mike Dunn, Adam Ottavino, Jairo Diaz, Chris Rusin, Antonio Senzatela

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What the roster would look like if I made it

I think that this is what the team will look like but I still don’t agree with it looking like that. Here’s how I would personally like it to be.

Catchers (2): Chris Iannetta, Tony Wolters

First Base (2): Ryan McMahon, Ian Desmond

Second Base (1): DJ LeMahieu

Third Base (1): Nolan Arenado

Shortstop (1): Trevor Story

Utility Infielder (2): Pat Valaika and somebody not currently on the team (like Mike Aviles, who would cost next to nothing to get off the free agent market and he can play the infield and outfield)

Outfielders (4): Carlos Gonzalez, Charlie Blackmon, Gerardo Parra, Mike Tauchman

Starting Pitchers (5): Jon Gray, German Marquez, Kyle Freeland, Chad Bettis, Tyler Anderson

Bullpen (7): Wade Davis, Jake McGee, Bryan Shaw, Mike Dunn, Adam Ottavino, Chris Rusin, Antonio Senzatela

Final Thoughts

I’m not a fan of an eight man bullpen, especially when Rusin and Senzatela are both long relievers. Another person on the bench would be something that I would like much more, personally. Also, if they were versatile, like Aviles, it could help out the Rockies on the bench more.

However, that probably won’t happen and the Rockies will almost certainly carry eight relievers and for the final two spots, it is down to Senzatela, Oberg, Diaz, and Carlos Estevez (depending on the state of his recovery, as he is hoping to return to Cactus League play in the coming days).

Next: After Altuve signing, it’s time to talk to Nolan Arenado

Either way, it will be an interesting final week plus as there are still some spots up for grabs.