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Colorado Rockies: A simulated Wade Davis trade to the New York Mets

By Kevin Henry |
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - MAY 02: Wade Davis #71 of the Colorado Rockies throws a pitch during the ninth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on May 02, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - MAY 02: Wade Davis #71 of the Colorado Rockies throws a pitch during the ninth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on May 02, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
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For Colorado Rockies fans, there was perhaps no greater frustration last season than when their high-priced closer came into the game and couldn’t hold the lead.

Colorado Rockies fans were vocal about the disappointing season put up by (former) closer Wade Davis in 2019. By the time last season had ended, Davis had lost his job as the go-to guy in late innings and many were wondering if he would ever be able to conquer Coors Field in the future after posting after posting an 11.10 ERA in Denver while allowing 34 hits in 24.1 innings. Opponents hit .318 against him at Coors Field.

However, on the road, Davis fared better, posting a 5.40 ERA in 18.1 innings as opponents hit .250 against him. That was the bright spot in a season where Davis went on the injured list in May with a left oblique strain and never seemed to have the same stuff again.

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It was a stark difference from the closer who notched a franchise-record 43 saves in 2018 to help Colorado reach its second consecutive postseason appearance.

With Davis scheduled to make $17 million in 2020 (and with a 2021 option of $15 million that vests with 30 games finished in 2020, per Spotrac.com), it was time to see if those road stats that Davis put up last season could intrigue another team to take a chance on him. This would not only free up some necessary spending money for the Rockies but also give Davis an opportunity to rebound from a brutal season.

As a part of the FanSided Fake Winter Meetings, we found a trade partner for Davis in the New York Mets and came up with a deal that we believe helps the Rockies tremendously.

You can read about it on the next page. However, don’t forget, this is a simulation. This trade has not happened in real life.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 29: Dominic Smith #22 of the New York Mets celebrates after hitting a walk-off 3-run home run in the bottom of the eleventh inning against the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field on September 29, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 29: Dominic Smith #22 of the New York Mets celebrates after hitting a walk-off 3-run home run in the bottom of the eleventh inning against the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field on September 29, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

In our simulated trade, Colorado sent Wade Davis (and every bit of his salary) plus left-hander Helcris Olivarez (who played for Grand Junction last season) to the Mets in exchange for first baseman/outfielder Dominic Smith and utility player Jed Lowrie. The Mets are also sending $4 million to cover existing signing bonuses.

What the Rockies received

Smith was blocked at first base behind Rookie of the Year Pete Alonso but still hit .282/.355/.525 with 11 homers and 25 RBI in 177 at-bats last year. He’s also under team control until 2024 and a bright future is possible for the 24-year-old Smith.

Lowrie is a little more interesting and a high-risk/high-reward pickup. He brings a $10 million contract into 2020 and totaled just seven at-bats last year in an injury-filled campaign. Lowrie, who will turn 36 in April, will be a free agent in 2021.

Of course, the risk is that the Rockies are now on the hook for $10 million for a player who barely saw the field last year. The potential reward is that the switch-hitting Lowrie (who has reportedly focused on entering the offseason healthy) returns to form where he was an All-Star with Oakland in 2018 and compiled a .272/.356/.448 slash line in 310 games for the A’s in his two seasons there (2017 and 2018).

Regardless, Lowrie’s $10 million is less than the $17 million due Davis, freeing up some more precious capital to use in other places (pitching and catching, as you’ll see in upcoming articles).

Overall, in our view, the Rockies get two potential pieces to the lineup or bats off the bench.

What the Rockies gave up

We’ve already told you about Davis. We also had to surrender the 19-year-old Olivarez, who joined Grand Junction in June from the Dominican Summer League. He went 3-4 with a 4.82 ERA in 11 starts last season in Grand Junction.

Next. The simulated trade we made involving Daniel Murphy. dark

Remember, this is a simulated trade. But what’s your reaction? Would you be happy with this trade if the Rockies could pull it off? Let us know in the comments below or find us on Twitter (@RoxPileFS).

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