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Colorado Rockies: 3 questions left unanswered with spring stoppage

By Kevin Henry |
ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - APRIL 01: Bud Black #10 of the Colorado Rockies watches gameplay during the fourth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on April 01, 2019 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - APRIL 01: Bud Black #10 of the Colorado Rockies watches gameplay during the fourth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on April 01, 2019 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
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BOSTON, MA – MAY 14: Nolan Arenado #28 of the Colorado Rockies hits a home run in the seventh inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on May 14, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Kathryn Riley /Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – MAY 14: Nolan Arenado #28 of the Colorado Rockies hits a home run in the seventh inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on May 14, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Kathryn Riley /Getty Images) /

When the Colorado Rockies and the rest of Major League Baseball had spring training stopped prematurely because of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, there were questions left unanswered about roster battles and more.

With no definitive date set yet for the return of baseball, Colorado Rockies fans are feeling a little lost without the sport they love, especially with the original Opening Day (scheduled for March 26 in San Diego against the Padres) coming later this week.

However, we know that baseball will return. And, when it does, there will be questions that need to be answered.

Chief among them is the status of the relationship between All-Star third baseman Nolan Arenado and general manager Jeff Bridich. The unexpected stop to spring training took the spotlight away from the “quiet game” that has been played between the two without talking with each other (according to last report).

Will the unexpected break give the duo a time to talk? If so, can some (or any) of the chill be taken out of their working relationship? If not, will it just be “business as usual” until the start of the season?

Of course, the delay of the start of the season means we’re not sure how many games will be played, what the schedule will look like, and when a trade deadline might be set, among other things. The talk of a potential trade is seemingly what sent the negative side of their relationship into the public’s eye in the days and weeks ahead of spring training’s start.

Certainly how the Rockies fare at the start of the season (whenever that is) will determine just how comfortable things might be in the clubhouse. Winning puts a lot of problems in the background while a tough start to the season (like last year) could put the Arenado-Bridich rift right back into the spotlight.

By the way, on Saturday, Arenado penned a heartfelt message to Rockies fans …

DENVER, COLORADO – SEPTEMBER 10: Starting pitcher Chi Chi Gonzalez #50 of the Colorado Rockies throws in the fifth inning against the St Louis Cardinals at Coors Field on September 10, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO – SEPTEMBER 10: Starting pitcher Chi Chi Gonzalez #50 of the Colorado Rockies throws in the fifth inning against the St Louis Cardinals at Coors Field on September 10, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

Who will take the fifth starter spot for the Rockies?

There is no question that German Marquez, Jon Gray, and Kyle Freeland will lead the Rockies rotation in 2020. It is widely thought that Antonio Senzatela be a part of the rotation mix. However, who will fill in the fifth starter role is still very much up in the air.

Jeff Hoffman is one of the options but gave up 10 hits to the 30 batters he faced in 5.2 innings spanning three outings. His 6.35 ERA and three walks with just four strikeouts wasn’t the kind of reassuring stats the Rockies were hoping to see this spring, especially with Hoffman out of minor league options.

Ubaldo Jimenez is likely still in the mix, but his last outing of the spring was problematic. After giving up four hits and two runs in four combined innings in his first two starts of spring, Jimenez was rocked by the Los Angeles Dodgers in his last spring start, giving up five hits and seven runs (three earned) in just 1.1 innings. After that game, manager Bud Black assured me and other members of the media that Jimenez was going to be a starter. He also said that the veteran would likely be willing to accept a stint in Triple-A in an effort to work his way back to the Major League mound.

Peter Lambert was thought to be in the mix, but a right forearm injury (to which we still don’t exactly know the extent of that injury) will likely knock him out of the competition … for the time being.

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Finally, there is Chi Chi Gonzalez, who I believe will land the fifth starter role when the season kicks back in. He’s faced 42 batters so far this spring and allowed 11 hits in 10 combined innings. The ERA is sitting at 6.30 and he’s allowed two homers.

But there’s a spring split to talk about here. In his first two spring outings, he gave up seven runs in four innings. In his last two outings, he’s struck out three each time while scattering four hits and not allowing a run in six innings of work.

That has clearly put him in the lead for the job, meaning Hoffman (if he is still on the roster) would move to a long reliever role.

DENVER, COLORADO – JUNE 12: Brian Shaw #29 of the Colorado Rockies throws in the seventh inning against the Chicago Cubs at Coors Field on June 12, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO – JUNE 12: Brian Shaw #29 of the Colorado Rockies throws in the seventh inning against the Chicago Cubs at Coors Field on June 12, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

Will Bryan Shaw make the roster?

Yes, this is a legitimate question to ask with Colorado’s current bullpen make-up and lack of options in some cases.

Yency Almonte does not have an option. Neither does Hoffman, who we are projecting as a long reliever (if he makes the team and the Rockies do not designate him for assignment).

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Take into account that Wade Davis, Jairo Diaz, Carlos Estevez, Tyler Kinley, Jake McGee, and Scott Oberg are virtual locks for the bullpen that has eight openings. With Almonte and Hoffman, that’s eight players. That list does not include Shaw or James Pazos, another left-hander who has the potential to be another southpaw options (along with McGee)

This spring, Shaw has allowed six hits and five runs in 4.1 innings, walking four and striking out three. The good news? He finished the first part of spring training by allowing just one hit and no runs and no walks in his final two appearances, covering 1.2 innings. Historically known for his slow spring starts, Shaw could be one of the pitchers most impacted by the start-stop-start that this historic spring training will be.

If he makes the roster, it likely knocks Hoffman or Almonte out of the mix, meaning the Rockies could lose either of them. They could also option Kinley to the minors, but he has been strong this spring (six shutout innings pitched and only two hits allowed) since being picked up in the offseason from Miami.

Next. Our current predictions for the Opening Day roster. dark

There are other questions the Rockies will face as well when spring training kicks back into high gear. We’ll cover those tomorrow.

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