Colorado Rockies: 3 quotes that will define the offseason

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DENVER, CO – MAY 7: Manager Bud Black of the Colorado Rockies looks on during the first inning against the San Francisco Giants at Coors Field on May 7, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /

For the Colorado Rockies, the offseason is shaping up to be quiet … or is it?

Based on the words from Colorado Rockies owner Dick Monfort and general manager Jeff Bridich just after the conclusion of the 2019 regular season, it seemed that the Rockies were backed into a corner financially. Now, almost six weeks after those quotes, not much seems to have changed.

“I don’t think we have a lot of flexibility next year of making some great big splash. That doesn’t mean we can’t get creative and do some things that will help if the right deal comes along.”

Those are the words from Colorado Rockies owner Dick Monfort on October 1 when Rockies leadership met with the media to discuss what happened last season during the disappointing campaign and what to expect heading into next season.

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These words have resonated throughout Rockies fandom. Many take them as the fact that the Rockies will do very little in the offseason to improve simply because sizable (and questionable) contracts given to underperforming players such as Wade Davis, Bryan Shaw, Ian Desmond and Jake McGee have backed them into a hole. Big contracts for Nolan Arenado and Charlie Blackmon, as well as a sizable increase that is coming for Trevor Story through arbitration and a potential extension, have also played into Colorado’s financial puzzle for the upcoming season.

A new television deal in 2021 will open up some funds, as will some of the above-mentioned contracts coming off the books. However, until then, unless the Rockies can find the “right deal,” there may not be a “big splash” coming.

But even if a big splash isn’t coming, the Rockies could still make a few ripples here and there. That ties into our second quote.

ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 08: Travis d’Arnaud #37 of the Tampa Bay Rays reacts after tagging out Jose Altuve (not pictured) of the Houston Astros during the fourth inning in game four of the American League Division Series at Tropicana Field on October 08, 2019 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

“Here, we will look for a complementary catcher, maybe, to Tony Wolters. (We’ll) see if we can figure that out.”

These are the words of Colorado general manager Jeff Bridich last week during an interview from Scottsdale, Ariz., where he was attending Major League Baseball’s GM meetings.

The Rockies can improve at catcher where Wolters played the lion’s share of games last season and responded with his best overall year yet. However, Colorado needs someone to step in and take some of the burden off Wolters without seeing a steep decline in productivity.

Dom Nunez is seemingly the future for the Rockies at catcher … but it’s clear that Colorado brass doesn’t think he’s ready yet. They’re looking for a veteran behind the dish in all likelihood … and they’re looking for someone who is going to fit their budget needs (see the previous quote).

In this article, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post tossed out Travis d’Arnaud as a possibility through the free agent market, as well as Jason Castro and Robinson Chirinos. We added Tucker Barnhart‘s name as a possibility through a trade.

A backup veteran catcher may not be the most glamorous move the Rockies can make, but it is a necessary one until Nunez proves he’s ready to perform at the Major League level for a full season.

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) /

“Being in Colorado we will always see if we can upgrade pitching in one way or another.”

More words from Colorado’s general manager Jeff Bridich. Let’s face it, the Rockies are set in the front part of the rotation with Jon Gray, Kyle Freeland and German Marquez. However, after that, it’s an unknown. The Rockies tried plenty of options last season but none seemed to dazzle (outside of Chi Chi Gonzalez in September when he posted a 2-0 with a 1.65 ERA in five games (four starts) with 11 walks and 26 strikeouts in 27.1 innings).

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Much like bringing in a veteran at catcher, if the Rockies are looking to add a veteran free agent pitcher, it will likely be an inexpensive one. There are plenty out there who could fit that bill, but will they actually be successful in the four and five spots for a team that is coming off a 5.87 ERA from its starters, the second-worst mark in MLB?

Bridich has already said “I wouldn’t put a ton of money on that,” when it comes to the Rockies chasing a high-priced veteran in the rotation.

Same likely goes with a bullpen that seems to be set with Scott Oberg, Carlos Estevez and Jairo Diaz showing their mettle in 2019 and setting up what could be a solid back end of the bullpen in 2020. “Upgrades in pitching” could always mean these three settling into the late-inning roles that were so up-and-down last season with the struggles of Wade Davis as well as the other “super bullpen” arms of Bryan Shaw and Wade Davis.

Next. The biggest trades the Rockies have ever made with their NL West rivals. dark

New arms are coming to the Rockies, either through younger players like Ben Bowden (who could be added to the 40-man roster before the Rule 5 deadline this week) or an established pitcher from another organization. However they arrive in Denver, it will be within Colorado’s budget. That’s one thing beyond clear from the words of Bridich and Monfort.

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