Grading the Colorado Rockies pre-MLB lockout signings

The Colorado Rockies extending starting pitcher Antonio Senzatela: B+

Right around the same time as the Cron extension, the Colorado Rockies also extended starting pitcher Antonio Senzatela, Senzatela, who will turn 27 next month, struggled in the win-loss department in 2021 (4-10 record) but he suffered from a lack of run support.

He had an ERA of 4.42 but a FIP of 3.61 suggests that lack of run support. In fact, that was his best FIP ever. He increased his strikeout rate to as high as it has been since 2018 and his walk rate of 1.8 BB/9 was the best of his career.

Since 2019, his groundball rate has been among the top 20 in all of baseball (more than 50 percent each season), which is why he pitches better at Coors Field. In 2021, Senzatela was 3-3 with a 3.97 ERA in 15 starts at Coors Field but on the road, he was 1-7 with a 5.05 ERA in 13 starts.

Like most of the Rockies starters (and pitchers, in general), he pitched better at Coors Field and, obviously, he wants to stick around so it was a good five-year deal for $50.5 million with a club option for $14 million for a sixth year.