Grading the Colorado Rockies pre-MLB lockout signings

With the MLB lockout preventing all offseason transactions, now’s a perfect time to look back on what the Colorado Rockies have done this offseason.

The Rockies have not made a ton of moves as, in fact, they have not added an MLB player from outside of the organization yet. The Rockies, Cincinnati Reds, and Oakland A’s are the only teams not to do that thus far. However, the Rockies have made a few moves by re-upping some players or by letting players go.

Let’s evaluate what Rockies GM Bill Schmidt and company have done this offseason.

The Colorado Rockies have a mixed bag so far this offseason

Extending first baseman C.J. Cron: A-

The Colorado Rockies started out the offseason by extending their first baseman C.J. Cron. Cron, who turns 32 next month, was extended to a two-year deal worth $14.5 million. For the Rockies, that was the perfect length as they hope some of their top prospects, like Colton Welker or Elehuris Montero, will be ready to be an everyday MLB player by then and one of them would likely play first base.

Cron was also, by far, the best Rockies hitter in 2021 as he hit .281/.375/.530 with 28 homers, 92 RBI, and an OPS+ of 130 in 142 games. Had he stayed at that pace and not been on the IL for a lower back strain in May, he would have had 30+ homers and 100+ RBI as his 162-game average was 32 homers and 105 RBI.

For comparison on that OPS+, Nolan Arenado’s OPS+ in his final full three seasons with the Rockies (2017 through 2019) was 131.