3 players the Rockies are already regretting not acquiring this offseason

1 of 4

I am of the opinion that the Rockies could be a lot closer to being a competitive team in 2024 than most people think despite playing in an absolute monster of a division. This team features an offense that is more than capable of winning 75 plus games. However, there are a few obvious weaknesses that will most likely stop this group from being one of the teams to look out for in the dangerous NL West.

There is certainly belief amongst the fanbase that a few extra low risk, low-cost offseason additions could have brought this team much closer to competing than they likely will be with the current roster, I am one of those people. Worst case scenario, if you sign a free agent to a one- or two-year deal, they perform well but the team is out of contention; then you have means to acquire prospects or picks at the trade deadline. That's an easy and cheap way to bolster your 22nd ranked farm system (according to ESPN).

The fact the Rockies don't believe in this philosophy is very troubling and telling of just how poorly run the organization is. That being said, let's take a look at some players that should have been donning the purple and black (for at least the first half) of 2024.

1. Martin Perez

Detroit Tigers v Pittsburgh Pirates / Justin Berl/GettyImages

The veteran southpaw, Martin Perez, had a decent season last year for the World Series champion Texas Rangers, posting a 4.45 ERA in 141 innings pitched. However, coming into free agency it was pretty clear, early on, that Perez would have little chance of keeping a spot in a strong Rangers rotation that hopes to add Jacob DeGrom and Max Scherzer back into the mix sooner than later.

With that, Perez signed a one year, $4.4M deal with the Pirates. So far, Perez has looked really strong with Pittsburgh; his sinker is biting a lot, and he has a 2.45 ERA in his first two starts, totaling eleven innings. His sinker/cutter combo would have played well at Coors Field as Perez has been pretty good at keeping the ball in the yard over the course of his now 13-year career.

For a Rockies rotation that has struggled mightily in 2024, another solid starter to anchor the back end (or more likely front end at this point) would have been ideal to try and shade the disastrous start of Cal Quantrill and Kyle Freeland's seasons. What is that saying, "you can never have too much pitching"? I wish the Rockies believed that...

2. Andrew Chafin

Oakland Athletics v Detroit Tigers / Mike Mulholland/GettyImages

The Rockies bullpen has had some surprise revelations so far in 2024. With the emergence of Victor Vodnik, who, in 7.2 innings over the course of four games, has yet to surrender a run as of April 10th. Vodnik along with Peter Lambert, and Nick Mears have been big time performers while Justin Lawrence and Tyler Kinley have struggled big time. When those two get going, if Vodnik, Mears and Lambert can continue their strong seasons, the Rockies would be looking at a pretty decent bullpen.

If they had added a veteran lefty who can help cover the middle innings, like, say, an Andrew Chafin type, who signed a one year, $4.75M deal this offseason with the Tigers. The 34-year-old lefty is another "sinkerballer" who had a tough 2023 season, but over the course of his career has more often than not, been good at keeping the ball from ending up over the fence.

With Chafin, the Rockies bullpen would have a real chance at being a top 15 bullpen in baseball despite the inherent disadvantage of pitching at altitude. Should Chafin perform and the team already be looking forward to 2025, Chafin could have easily been swapped at the deadline this year, for a competing team looking to add a veteran lefty to bolster their bullpen. What is that old adage, "you can never have too much pitching", but I repeat myself...

3. Tom Murphy

Tampa Bay Rays v Seattle Mariners / Steph Chambers/GettyImages

Despite a slow start to the season, Tom Murphy is a player that could have used the thin air at Coors Field to his advantage. The distinct homefield advantage the Rockies have built in, you would think they would try to take advantage and bring players in with more offensive upside than a Jacob Stallings type who is a pretty traditional "glove first" backup catcher. Not that there is anything wrong with having a player like that, but I would have liked to have seen the Rockies go a little more offensive minded with their backup catcher position.

Murphy has a strong bat for a backstop, batting .290 in 47 games in 2023 before an injury ended his season in mid-August. He has good gap-to-gap power and would have been in the mix for a DH position while sharing time with Elias Diaz behind the plate, taking pressure off him defensively and saving the club from plugging in a near automatic out into the lineup every time Diaz needs a day off or a day at DH. Not to mention that Murphy is an ultimate "vibes guy" as he seems to brighten any clubhouse that is lucky enough to have him.

The Rockies have a very confusing organizational philosophy, and if I had any idea what it was I would gladly share it; I'd like to think if I were in a position of power for this team, I would go to no ends to acquire players with offensive upside, who could be turned into prospects at the deadline by boosting their stats from playing home games at Coors, but I guess that's just me...

Call to Action

Are you a fan of the Rockies? Do you love talking about all things Rockies? Do you want to write about the Rockies on your own schedule with the potential to earn some extra cash? Go to https://openings.fansided.com and look for the Rox Pile site and apply to join our staff.

More from Rox Pile

manual

Home / Colorado Rockies News

1. Martin Perez

2. Andrew Chafin

3. Tom Murphy

Call to Action

More from Rox Pile

Schedule