Grading the Colorado Rockies pre-MLB lockout signings

Extending catcher Elias Díaz: B+

The thought of the Colorado Rockies extending catcher Elias Díaz on June 1 would have been insane, let alone extending him for three years and giving it a B+ rating but that’s what we are giving their extension of Díaz because he was, arguably, the Rockies best catcher in franchise history after June 1.

Through June 1, Díaz was hitting a paltry .123/.191/.185 in 28 games with one homer and four RBI but after that, he hit .284/.348/.553 with 17 homers and 40 RBI in 78 games. That’s equivalent to 35 homers and 80 RBI in a full 162-game season.

That got Díaz a three-year extension for $14.5 million, which should be a good deal for both sides going forward.

Re-signing Jhoulys Chacín: B

Overall, re-signing Jhoulys Chacín is a good move for the Rockies but this is ranked the lowest of the re-signings/extensions of the offseason for the simple fact of the others are more involved in games.

Chacín, who turns 34 next month, pitched to a 4.34 ERA in 64 1/3 innings pitched last season after the Rockies signed him just a few days prior to Opening Day. He was originally a long reliever but with other guys in the bullpen having issues, Chacín moved into a set-up role and pitched very well.

From June 28 through the end of the season (when he was in a set-up role), he had an ERA of 3.16 and a FIP of 3.98.

Chacín also provides the Rockies with a veteran in a young bullpen and also, he pitches well at Coors Field. Ideally, he is a long man going into 2022 but the Rockies will have to make some additions in the bullpen and some of the Rockies current relievers will have to step up for that to happen.

Overall offseason ranking thus far: C

By and large, the Colorado Rockies are in the middle. They made some good trio of extensions but the Gray debacle was an unmitigated disaster.

The grading will go down if Trevor Story leaves because, again, there won’t be any compensation for him other than the comp pick.

But also, the Rockies need to make more moves this offseason. If they do nothing and Story also leaves, the Rockies will probably get a D- or an F, which is something they definitely got last offseason.