Colorado Rockies: 3 players who could have fit budget, needs

Oct 5, 2020; Los Angeles, California, USA; Oakland Athletics second baseman Tommy La Stella (3) forces out Houston Astros center fielder George Springer (4) during the first inning in game one of the 2020 ALDS at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 5, 2020; Los Angeles, California, USA; Oakland Athletics second baseman Tommy La Stella (3) forces out Houston Astros center fielder George Springer (4) during the first inning in game one of the 2020 ALDS at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
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Sep 9, 2020; Oakland, California, USA; Oakland Athletics designated hitter Tommy La Stella (3) scores a walk-off run as players leave the dugout to celebrate with batter, center fielder Ramon Laureano (not pictured), during the ninth inning against the Houston Astros at Oakland Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 9, 2020; Oakland, California, USA; Oakland Athletics designated hitter Tommy La Stella (3) scores a walk-off run as players leave the dugout to celebrate with batter, center fielder Ramon Laureano (not pictured), during the ninth inning against the Houston Astros at Oakland Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

While we know the Colorado Rockies are currently not in a spending mode, there are three players with relatively budget-friendly deals we wish they would have signed to fill some needs and boost the offense.

Before you even dive into this article, yes, we know, we know. The Colorado Rockies aren’t spending money this offseason. We’ve seen that with the non-tendering of All-Star outfielder David Dahl and all of the minor-league-only deals the Rockies have inked. After all, when pitcher Austin Gomber is listed as your best acquisition of the offseason and the southpaw came to Denver only because he was part of the Nolan Arenado trade, well, that says something.

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We also get that the Rockies are wanting to see what players like Brendan Rodgers, Sam Hilliard, and Dom Nunez can provide in a full season, so signing veterans may not have been in the cards for the Rockies on that front either.

With all of that being said, there have been plenty of moves happening around the National League West, including one made by the San Francisco Giants that we wish the Rockies had made. Veteran infielder Tommy La Stella recently signed a three-year, $18.75 million deal and we fully expect him to be among the next wave of players who find plenty of success against Colorado.

Again, we know more than $6 per year might not have been in Colorado’s current pay climate, but it sure would have been nice to have had a player who was praised after signing with the Giants for his low strikeout ratio and brings the veteran versatility the Rockies love. Maybe the Rockies are counting on Chris Owings (signed to a minor league deal) to be that?

I admit I saw the La Stella idea first from @OakTreeStatus on Twitter and I’ve been intrigued with it ever since. However, knowing the deal he inked with the Giants would have made La Stella the fifth-highest-paid Rockies player this season makes the dream a bit tougher to realize. Still, think about this and remember Colorado paid Daniel Murphy $24 million during his two-year deal.

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