Colorado Rockies: Is Chad Bettis the odd man out?

The 2019 season is shaping up to be the year of the starting pitcher for the Colorado Rockies. Unless a surprise move is made, all seven pitchers who started a game last season will report to spring training battling for a spot in the rotation.

Led by Cy Young candidate Kyle Freeland, the franchise’s single-season strikeout record holder, German Marquez, the continued development of youngsters Antonio Senzatela and Tyler Anderson, and hopefully a bounce-back season from Jon Gray, the Colorado Rockies‘ rotation looks like it already could be set.

This leaves Chad Bettis and Jeff Hoffman on the outside looking to crack the rotation. Hoffman would likely start the season in the bullpen as a long reliever since he spent a portion of last season in that role.

Bettis, if he doesn’t make the rotation, could find himself without a role at all on the roster. So would the Rockies look to move him to the bullpen permanently or would they look trade him?

I recently asked the Denver Post‘s Patrick Saunders in his most recent mailbag article this question and here is what he had to say:

"Bettis’ career is in limbo in Colorado. He thinks of himself as a starter, and told me he wants to be a starter for the Rockies. However, he’s also a good soldier and will do whatever he can to help the team win.I wouldn’t count Bettis out. He’s a veteran and if he’s healthy he can be an asset. Plus, the Rockies will need depth because injuries – hopefully minor ones – are bound to pop up.Keep in mind that Bettis opened the 2018 season strong, going 4-1 with a 3.27 ERA into the third week of May. But then came the severe blisters on his right-middle finger and he ended up working as a seldom-used, long reliever out of the bullpen, finishing the season going 5-2 with a 5.01 ERA and a 1.40 WHIP in 27 games (20 starts).Could the Rockies look to trade Bettis? Sure, it’s possible, but I don’t see it happening. I think he will arrive at spring training eager and ready to make his pitch for a spot in the rotation. I wouldn’t count Bettis out."

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I agree with Saunders that Bettis won’t go down without a fight but the crowded rotation may force the Rockies to part ways with their oldest pitcher on the staff and most inspirational player on the team (he beat testicular cancer in 2017).

Another option would be to make up an injury and place him on the DL at the start of the year. This would give them the luxury to call him up if and when they would need an emergency start.

As a cancer survivor myself, it would be hard to watch the Rockies part ways with such an inspiring story but the overabundance of starting arms might force a move.

We are still two months away from when pitchers and catchers report to spring training but this is something to keep an eye on as we draw closer to the start of the season.