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

3 of 3

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.

More from Colorado Rockies News

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.

Tommy La Stella at 31 is kind of doing a poor man's version of what Daniel Murphy did at 31, and that's a compliment. He's #versatile, he's OBPed at .358 since 2017, and he shouldn't cost too much. Imagine a guy in Coors who puts the ball in play *a LOT* and rarely Ks.
— Luke Hall (@OakTreeStatus) January 19, 2021

Aug 3, 2020; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; New York Mets catcher Wilson Ramos (40) celebrates with teammates after a victory against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

If you read the tweet on the previous page, you saw the name of Wilson Ramos. The 33-year-old Ramos recently signed a one-year, $2 million deal with the Detroit Tigers. With that in mind, Ramos could have provided the Rockies with another veteran catcher to pair up with Elias Diaz. However, Ramos also brings some offensive upside as well.

With a career OPS+ of 103, there are plenty of offensive things to like about Ramos behind the dish. Take a look at what was included in the press release about his signing with the Tigers.

Since 2018, Ramos has been one of the best-hitting catchers in baseball, leading all backstops (min. 450 plate appearances) with a .288 (287×997) batting average, ranking second in hits (287), third in RBI (158), fourth in total bases (438), fifth in extra-base hits (82) and doubles (47), seventh in on-base percentage (.346), eighth in walks (86) and tied for eighth in home runs (34).

Rockies fans, would you have paid $2 million to have that behind the plate? Instead, the Rockies will ride with Diaz and Dom Nunez at catcher.

Sep 29, 2020; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Twins third baseman Marwin Gonzalez (9) throws the ball to first base in the seventh inning against the Houston Astros at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /

The Boston Red Sox reportedly inked Marwin Gonzalez to a one-year, $3 million deal on Thursday evening. As stated in this article about the signing: “A switch-hitter known for his defensive versatility, Gonzalez played first base, second base, third base and right field for the Twins last season.”

More from Rox Pile

Yes, Gonzalez had a down year (.211/.286/.320 with an OPS+ of 68) for Minnesota during the shortened 2020 campaign, but the 31-year-old Gonzalez has totaled a nice 6.9 bWAR over the last four seasons and was discussed as a good fit for the Rockies as recently as the offseason before the 2019 campaign.

Rockies fans know how much the franchise values versatility and Gonzalez brings that to every club he has represented in his nine-year career. With a Colorado infield that has plenty of opportunities for playing time after Arenado’s trade, Gonzalez would seemingly have been a fit. And, again, he likely could have provided some kind of offensive boost along the way, especially if he could recapture the swing that pushed him to earn MVP votes after a 2017 campaign where he posted a 146 OPS+ and hit 23 home runs while driving in 90.

Next. How the 2019 offseason killed the relationship between the Rockies and Nolan Arenado. dark

So would you have wanted any of these three with the Rockies? And for the price they signed with other teams? How about another player who might have been a fit in terms of needs and budget for 2021? Let us know in the comments below.

Home / Colorado Rockies News

More from Rox Pile

Schedule