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Colorado Rockies: Preview of the 2018-19 offseason and free agency

By Tyson Crocker

MIAMI, FL - JULY 10: Nolan Arenado #28 of the Colorado Rockies and the National League talks with Bryce Harper #34 of the Washington Nationals and the National League during Gatorade All-Star Workout Day ahead of the 88th MLB All-Star Game at Marlins Park on July 10, 2017 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - JULY 10: Nolan Arenado #28 of the Colorado Rockies and the National League talks with Bryce Harper #34 of the Washington Nationals and the National League during Gatorade All-Star Workout Day ahead of the 88th MLB All-Star Game at Marlins Park on July 10, 2017 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – JULY 15: Brendan Rodgers #1 of the Colorado Rockies and the U.S. Team makes a play during the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game at Nationals Park on July 15, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – JULY 15: Brendan Rodgers #1 of the Colorado Rockies and the U.S. Team makes a play during the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game at Nationals Park on July 15, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /

Second Base is another question mark for 2019, simply because we don’t know who it will be with 100% certainty. There are plenty of theories about what the Rockies will do, but one thing we know is that it’s likely the end of the DJ LeMahieu era in Denver, which kind of stinks.

The Options: Second Base

Brendan Rodgers

Bats: R // Throws: R

2019 Opening Day Age: 22

Brendan Rodgers has been thought of as “the future” since the day he was drafted third overall by the Rockies in 2015. Rodgers, the number six overall prospect in baseball, according to MLB.com, is ready to be the next star in Denver. Besides struggling a bit in very limited action at Triple-A in 2018, he’s produced at every level, he’s hit a collective .291/.346/.491 during his four minor league seasons, and playing his home games at Coors Field is his only challenge left. And after dominating some of the more pitcher friendly leagues in the minors, I’m sure he can’t wait to hit in Denver.

Originally drafted as a shortstop, Rodgers has bounced around the infield in the minors playing games at short, second, and third over his four seasons, so if there is a question mark within his game it definitely falls on to his defense. He holds a career .962 fielding %, however his highest percentage of the three positions is at second base with a .981 in 465.1 innings.

If there’s no one brought in through free agency, Rodgers should be the favorite to land the job out of Spring Training, but he may need to work on his defense before the team trusts him with everyday Major League duties.

Daniel Murphy

Bats: L // Throws: R

2019 Opening Day Age: 34

Many thought that Daniel Murphy was a guy the Rockies would add when Washington placed him on waivers in August. They didn’t, and it hasn’t hurt the Rockies not having him, but he could very well be an option for 2019, and if he were to be a Rockie in 2019, it would likely only be for 2019. Anyone not named Brendan Rodgers is likely a placeholder for next year, and Murphy would be a very viable one-year option.

He signed a three-year deal with the Nationals before the 2016 season and had two extremely productive season in D.C., and while injuries have hampered him in 2018, he’s still managed to hit .299/.336/.454 in split time between the Nationals and Cubs. His collective triple slash over the last three seasons, however is astonishing.

Daniel Murphy (DANIEL MURPHY?!) has hit a collective .325/.375/.543 in a little over 1500 late appearances. If a team doesn’t sign him to a multi-year deal, look for the Rockies to possibly kick the tires.

Other options: Garrett Hampson, Logan Forsythe

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