Three 2019 New Year’s Resolutions for the Colorado Rockies

DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 20: Fireworks are set over the field as spectators fill the outfield after a game between the Colorado Rockies and the Arizona Diamondbacks at Coors Field on September 20, 2013 in Denver, Colorado. The Rockies beat the Diamondbacks 9-4. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 20: Fireworks are set over the field as spectators fill the outfield after a game between the Colorado Rockies and the Arizona Diamondbacks at Coors Field on September 20, 2013 in Denver, Colorado. The Rockies beat the Diamondbacks 9-4. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /
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ESPN, in seemingly dubious tradition, ranks the most miserable fan bases in professional sports. Ever since they’ve been reminding of us of our misery, the Colorado Rockies fans have been on this list. This year’s iteration finally got the Rockies out of the top 25 from the 18th spot to the 41st.

While the ultimate goal wasn’t accomplished, 2018 helped exercise a lot of demons making the future consistently look brighter. Here are three New Year’s resolutions to help the Colorado Rockies from slipping back into that dreaded list.

Go Broke for the Bullpen. Again.

Even though every major bullpen signing didn’t work out last year, that shouldn’t deter the front office from pursuing the same strategy. Sure, signing Craig Kimbrel seems like overkill but there are plenty of good options. The good thing here is you can’t sign enough arms and money should be no object in this scenario. Management signaled hope in this department last offseason. Let’s keep it going.

At bare minimum, the club would be wise to re-sign Adam Ottavino. He is one of the best relievers in club history coming off his best season. There is some rumor that this may already be happening. Otto won’t command the highest possible salary because of his age and Tommy John history. But his proven track record here makes him a good target that is a proven leader in the pen.

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The club can’t stop there though. Andrew Miller unfortunately is off the market to the Cardinals but he could be the formula the Rockies are looking for. (Besides injury history.) They need a lefty with a good strikeout rate. Former Oriole Zach Britton could fill that role. His sinker is simply one of the best in baseball. Even if it doesn’t lead to whiffs, that ground ball ratio would look impeccable at Coors.

Joe Kelly would have been a nice right-handed option but he went to the division rival Dodgers. Kelvin Herrera could be a more affordable option as a righty but he does bring some risk missing the last month in Kansas City with a torn ligament in his foot. He is one of the younger free agents on the market and seemingly still in the prime of his career. He doesn’t hit triple digits with regularity like he did earlier in his career but upper 90s sounds nice at altitude. This guy simply throws strikes. Something the bullpen could use more of in 2019.

Don’t force Daniel Murphy at first

That move hasn’t helped Ian Desmond at all. Moving to a more natural position in the outfield will hopeful get him back to where we all know his game can be. This is the Rockies biggest free agent signing and it might be likely it stays that way. They need to protect the investment. DJ LeMahieu still doesn’t seem to be a serious pursuit for the club. That makes the possibility of seeing Brendan Rodgers playing the position full-time at an all-time high. But if he struggles with the transition to second or just isn’t ready for the majors, don’t force his call up.

Same with Murphy. It isn’t the same scenario as Desmond. Murphy has played the position before but he has much more experience at second. The last time Murphy played first for more than 100 games was 10 years ago. It is also the only time he has hit that number at that position. Give Murphy the option at second if he wants it or needs it. Roster lineups are Bud Black‘s speciality. Protect your biggest free agent at all costs this time.

Add depth behind the plate

The Rockies seemingly had an opportunity to do this last year by resigning Jonathan Lucroy but the Athletics took the chance. They did it on the cheap and it paid off in dividends as the club reached the Wild Card game. (Lucroy recently signed with the Angels.) But wait a moment. So did the Rockies with a main core of Chris Iannetta and Tony Wolters. The later of whom got the club past the Wild Card round, something the A’s can not say.

Next. Colorado Rockies land three players in fantasy Top 25 projections. dark

Our Kevin Henry explored the possibility of the Rockies signing a catcher with the probability looking less than stellar. The whole platoon of catchers last year struggled with the bat. Boy does J.T. Relamuto look enticing. But for the asking price, not that enticing. The brightest spot last year was the development of young home grown pitching. The Rockies need more veteran presence behind the plate to continue to develop these arms. Ianetta did that in spades last year and will continue to do that this year. Adding a bat to fortify the bottom of the order though might be exactly what the team needs to put them over the edge and win their first division.