Colorado Rockies: 3 questions left unanswered with spring stoppage

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 …

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.

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