Colorado Rockies: Mid-year review of their offseason acquisitions

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DENVER, COLORADO – JUNE 30: Starting pitcher Chi Chi Gonzalez #50 of the Colorado Rockies makes his home debut, throwing in the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Coors Field on June 30, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

The Colorado Rockies had a fairly quiet offseason, especially compared to recent offseasons.

The Colorado Rockies made the biggest signing in franchise history by extending their franchise stalwart, third baseman Nolan Arenado but of player’s outside of the organization, the Rockies really did not make many moves this past offseason.

This is a bit of a departure from past offseasons, as the Rockies had many bullpen signings in the 2017-18 offseason and bullpen signings and the signing of Ian Desmond in the 2016-2017 offseason.

However, there are a few guys that we can check up on entering the All-Star break and see how they are doing for the Rockies in 2019.

Chi Chi Gonzalez, Starting Pitcher

Chi Chi Gonzalez was one of a couple of minor league signings that the Rockies made this past offseason to provide the team with some depth and the Rockies have had to dip into that depth due to injuries and subpar seasons from other starting pitchers. As a result, Gonzalez has seen his first MLB action since 2016.

In two starts with the Rockies, he has pitched to a 6.00 ERA, allowing eleven hits and six runs in nine innings of work. However, his 3.87 FIP suggests that he is pitching better than the numbers show. The main thing that has been his issue is his walk rate, as he has walked six batters in those nine innings.

Overall, he’s not an ace or anything like that but it was a nice depth signing and he has provided the Rockies will just that.

DENVER, COLORADO – JUNE 29: Mark Reynolds #12 of the Colorado Rockies hits a 2 RBI single in the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Coors Field on June 29, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

Mark Reynolds, First Baseman/Pinch Hitter

Mark Reynolds was another minor league signing that the Rockies made in the offseason as they signed him to a MiLB deal with an invite to Spring Training for his second go-around as a Rockie.

He made the Rockies out of spring training but he hasn’t played particularly well with the Rockies this year, though.

In 151 plate appearances this year, he has only had 23 hits, with seven being doubles, four home runs, and 20 RBI. Overall, he is hitting .168/.291/.320 with an OPS+ of 49. He is also playing to a -0.8 WAR, so he has not been what the Rockies were looking for offensively.

Drew Butera, Catcher

At the very end of spring training, the Rockies signed catcher Drew Butera, who played for the Rockies at the end of the 2018 campaign.

He has largely played in Albuquerque for the Rockies as a backup but he has done well there. In 36 games there, he has hit .293/.414/.500 with five home runs and 18 RBI.

He also has provided depth for the Rockies at the position as he did see some MLB action when Chris Iannetta was on the IL. In that time, he played in seven games (19 plate appearances) and hit .176/.222/.294. Obviously, that is not great but he is spending time in Albuquerque and not taking up a MLB roster spot and still providing the Rockies with some depth.

PHOENIX, ARIZONA – JULY 06: Daniel Murphy #9 of the Colorado Rockies gestures to the crowd after hitting a solo home run off of Robbie Ray #38 of the Arizona Diamondbacks during the second inning at Chase Field on July 06, 2019 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /

Daniel Murphy, First Base

Daniel Murphy was the Rockies only MLB signing of the offseason. The deal was for 2 years and $24 million, which includes a $6 million buyout for the 2021 season. The Rockies and Murphy also have a mutual option for $12 million.

It was a bit of an odd signing because the Rockies signed him, a second baseman, to actually play first base full-time.

Recently, Rox Pile’s Kevin Henry spoke with him in an exclusive conversation about how the transition to first base on defense has been.

“I feel like I’ve played fairly well,” said Murphy. “I would say I left a bit to be desired on my own. I think some routine plays I haven’t made that I would really like to make. I think I’ve probably done fairly well on the ball that I’m not expected to make. I would like to tighten up my work on the routine play.”

The Rockies expected him to be one of their main bats entering the season but it was put on hold very early. In the second game of the season, he sustained a finger injury while he was fielding a groundball at first. He had to be placed on the injured list as a result.

The injury nearly cost him a month but it could have been longer.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 23: Daniel Murphy #9 of the Colorado Rockies dives for first base for an out of Matt Beaty #45 of the Los Angeles Dodgers to end the fourth inning at Dodger Stadium on June 23, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

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Rockies manager Bud Black recently spoke to Henry exclusively about his return from the injury and why he thinks it took Murphy a bit less time to recover.

“I knew that immediately that his confidence is in such a place that he felt he was going to come back sooner than the doctors and everybody recommends for injuries like that,” said Black. “That told me right away that this man is a player. He has a great deal of self-assurance and confidence. ‘I’m going to heal faster than normal and than others.’ “He was very diligent on staying the course and keeping the splint on as was told and with all of the other recommended therapies. When he is instructed to do something, he is very disciplined. That’s what stood out to me. He’s a very disciplined guy. His focus is always in the right spot. He doesn’t vary from the right thing to do. Whether it’s in practice or in the dugout or in the clubhouse, he’s always doing the right thing.”

After a bit of struggling after his return, he has really picked it up in the past few weeks.

Since the injury, he is hitting .282/.338/.464 with seven home runs and 44 RBI in 61 games (49 starts). Since May 21, though, he is hitting .322/.368/.503 with 5 homers and 30 RBI along with 48 hits, including 10 doubles.

Currently, his bWAR is still at -0.3 and his OPS+ is at 86 but with the numbers that he has had in the past six weeks or so, it seems like Murphy is heating up and providing the Rockies with another piece in their offense.

dark. Next. The good and bad of Madison Bumgarner joining the Colorado Rockies

Overall, the Rockies offseason was rather quiet but with the signing of depth and Murphy’s recent resurgence, it wasn’t necessarily a bad one.

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