Colorado Rockies: Three roster changes they need to make

1 of 3

DENVER, CO – JULY 13: Tony Wolters #14 of the Colorado Rockies hits into a fielders choice for a second inning game-tying RBI against the Seattle Mariners at Coors Field on July 13, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

The Colorado Rockies are playing in a highly competitive division and still have a chance at contention. With that being said the Rockies should really look over making some roster moves in order to help them to the road to contention.

Send down a catcher

The Colorado Rockies currently have three catchers on their active 25-man roster, which seems a bit unnecessary due to the fact that neither catcher on the bench is getting adequate playing time. With all of the hot prospects playing down in Triple-A Albuquerque, they deserve to have playing time as well. As we get closer and closer to the postseason, a decision has to be made on who will be the true starting catcher for the team. Of course, you have to have a backup catcher so the real question would be who should be sent down?

Tony Wolters has been on the big league roster since April but he hasn’t really made a splash that shows he’s ready to take over the reigns of being an everyday starter. He currently has played in 49 games this season with over 125 at-bats. His stats batting-wise aren’t that pretty, though. He has a slashline of .159/.282/.262. Obviously, that’s not what you’d like to see from someone who’s looking to become an everyday player.

On the other hand, you have Tom Murphy. His call to the show was a bit late in some people’s opinions, but nevertheless, he got called up. Murphy went on a hot streak when he was called up and was on a nice roll, but has since cooled off. In the series against the Milwaukee Brewers, Murphy struck out 7 times and had no hits the entire series. His current stats are nicer to look at than Tony Wolters, but they’re not too grand. Murphy has played in 31 games with 88 at-bats this leads him to a slashline of .227/.253/.398. This is a much better compared to Wolters numbers, thus leading me to think perhaps giving Tom Murphy the back-up job and sending Tony Wolters down.

Note: The Rockies sent Murphy to Triple-A before Tuesday’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Coors Field.

DENVER, CO – JUNE 19: Adam Ottavino #0 of the Colorado Rockies pitches against the New York Mets in the seventh inning of a game at Coors Field on June 19, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

Make Adam Ottavino the closer

Wade Davis hasn’t had the best season as the Colorado Rockies’ closer but Adam Ottavino is having a career year with the Rox. Many continue to wonder during bad stretches that Davis has why isn’t Otto the closer? I go over this more in-depth in an article you can find here. Davis’ stats aren’t what you want to see for a reliever being paid $52 million. He has a 1-4 record and a high ERA of 4.98 with 32 saves (which does lead the NL) in 46 innings.

Looking at Otto’s stats for comparison is one of the reasons that the Rox should make him their closer. He’s got a 4-2 record, an ERA of 1.66 in 54.1 innings, and let’s not forget about those 81 strikeouts he’s racked up so far this season.

Now, of course, if this were to happen who would take Otto’s place as the 8th inning man that holds the opposing offense from scoring. The perfect man for the job is Scott Oberg. His stats, like Otto’s, are very good. Oberg has a perfect record of 7-0 with a 2.73 ERA and only a 1.21 WHIP.

With all these changes, that leaves another question about who would follow before Oberg and Otto. The answer to that would be literally anyone that’s in the bullpen would work. There’s so many guys that Bud Black could utilize if Ottavino became the closer to still make the innings work in their favor.

DENVER, CO – JUNE 20: Starting pitcher Chad Bettis #35 of the Colorado Rockies delivers to home plate during the first inning against the New York Mets at Coors Field on June 20, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images). /

Move Chad Bettis to the bullpen

Chad Bettis is coming back off the DL from a blister injury. There have been many reports that he would be placed in the bullpen, but it turns out he will be starting in tonight’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

While Bettis was on the DL, Antonio Senzatela left the bullpen and joined the rotation, all in all, he’s done as well as we thought he would. In his last start, which was against the Arizona Diamondbacks, he did end up the loss, but got 6 strikeouts out of it. That is one of the consistent things we’ve seen in his last 3 starts. Senzatela may not go that deep into games, but he can hold off runs and get guys swinging at what he wants them to.

Bettis’ last start before he hit the DL is a bit concerning which is why maybe keeping him in the bullpen would work well. He only pitched 4.2 innings and gave up 8 earned runs along with walking 5 batters. That’s not something you want to see from a starter and maybe him going to the DL helped, but either way, it’s something many will think about if he’s on the mound as a starter.

Next. No postseason? No problem. dark

Having Chad Bettis in the bullpen could most likely help the Colorado Rockies when the rotation isn’t getting the job done early on as he could provide some length as a long reliever out of the bullpen. The Rockies rotation has been doing well since the start of July but if they start to falter, Bettis could be able to help pick up the slack.

Home / Colorado Rockies News

Colorado Rockies: Three roster changes they need to make

The Colorado Rockies are playing in a highly competitive division and still have a chance at contention. With that being said the Rockies should really look over making some roster moves in order to help them to the road to contention.

Send down a catcher

Make Adam Ottavino the closer

More from Rox Pile

Move Chad Bettis to the bullpen

Schedule