Colorado Rockies: A history of Jeff Bridich signings and trades

Former Colorado Rockies closer Wade Davis — DENVER, COLORADO – SEPTEMBER 18: Pitcher Wade Davis #71 of the Colorado Rockies throws in the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Coors Field on September 18, 2020 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

2017 – 2018:

Number of Minor League Deals: 63

Number of Major League Deals: 5

Number of Trades: 3

Number of Waiver Pickups: 0

Signed Draftees: 32

Most important deal: Signing Bryan Shaw, Wade Davis, and Jake McGee

Trades were quiet (unless you are a big Drew Butera fan) and we are getting to the point in the draft where most of the players are nowhere close to making their debuts (except Ryan Rolison). For once, the front office decided to gamble on Major League talent, and it was one of the most debated decisions in franchise history.

The signing of the “super bullpen” has become the stuff of legends in the Rockies community. First, Wade Davis was good in his first year with the Rockies. He led the league in saves and was critical to getting the Rockies to the postseason in 2018. McGee was good in 2017, so a new contract was fine, but he fell apart in 2018. Bryan Shaw was never good for the Rockies.

This disaster of a group of signings bloated the payroll and was a likely reason for how conservative the team has been with free agents the past few years. This essentially crippled the team that looked like contenders for two solid years with a solid enough core to build around, putting them to the state we see them in now.