5 Players the Rockies will wish they had signed this offseason

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It is no secret that the Rockies are likely a few years away from contention, however, they had (and still have) an opportunity to give the roster a little more "zazz" going into the 2024 season. Whether or not their plan is to compete this year, it never hurts ticket sales and fan/team morale to add some fresh faces to a club that is struggling to find a successful identity. Featured here are players who could have helped the Rockies bridge the gap to the future by either their performance on the field, the presence they could bring to the clubhouse, or from the potential return at the trade deadline to bolster the farm system. Here are a few players the Rockies may regret not signing this offseason.

Their left-handed outfielder could have been Joey Gallo

Minnesota Twins v Cleveland Guardians / Ron Schwane/GettyImages

If the previous slide did not already spoil it, the first name that comes to mind when thinking of players that would look great in purple, the first answer is (and always has been) Joey Gallo. Entering his ninth year in the big leagues, Gallo, in his MLB tenure, has primarily been known for one thing: hitting baseballs unspeakably far. Underrated, however, is the fact that Gallo also plays surprisingly strong defense in the outfield, and at first base. He could easily fit into the Rockies outfield rotation and mix in at first base to ease the pressure on Michael Toglia or Hunter Goodman, depending on who wins the first base job in Spring Training.

Though Gallo has generational power which would have played tremendously at the elevation of Coors Field, his strikeout numbers are a lot less attractive, last year with Minnesota, Gallo struck out 142 times in only 282 at bats, making him a true "boom or bust" player, which, for a team stuck in the middle as the Rockies are, could have been a risk worth taking, especially with the Rockies need to add a left handed outfielder. However, we will all be once again left to speculate what could have been if Joey Gallo brought his outrageous power to the Mile High City, as Gallo signed a one year, $5 million contract with the Washington Nationals earlier this offseason.

The former ace of the Reds, Tyler Mahle could have stablized the top of the Rockies rotation

Kansas City Royals v Minnesota Twins / David Berding/GettyImages

The Rockies rotation in 2024, will likely look something like: Kyle Freeland, Cal Quantrill, Austin Gomber, Ryan Feltner, and Dakota Hudson with Marquez and Senzatella out for most if not the entirety of the season. There are several question marks in that rotation, even if healthy, which is why a starter like Tyler Mahle could go a long way to stabilize the top end of the rotation.

Mahle signed a two year, 22-million-dollar deal with the defending champion, Texas Rangers, as a 29-year-old entering his eighth year in the MLB. He has posted a modest 4.30 ERA in 122 games started, with only 98 homers given up in 635 innings pitched. While Mahle does not necessarily have "ace stuff", he could have provided some stability and delivered some quality innings on a very reasonable deal in a tough park to pitch in, at elevation. The Rockies may have missed out on a solid, young, and low financial risk signing here with Mahle, even if they were forced to add an extra year or extra money to persuade him to brave pitching at Coors.

Carlos Santana's veteran presence could give this locker room an experienced leader

Chicago Cubs v Milwaukee Brewers / Patrick McDermott/GettyImages

In terms of low-risk signings, Carlos Santana has made a living over the past couple seasons providing veteran leadership, stability, and above all, vibes to the teams he has played for, including Seattle, Kansas City, Milwaukee, and most recently, Pittsburgh, after spending the first several years of his career in Cleveland. No relation to the guitarist, Santana debuted in 2010, and in that time has been a solid switch-hitting catcher, converted to first baseman for six different teams, and is now joining his seventh, the Minnesota Twins, on a one-year deal worth $5.25 million.

Santana, at this point in his career, is someone who could have provided a veteran presence to a young Rockies first base situation and would have likely taken a one-year deal, with the potential of a small return at the deadline should he have popped off in the thin air at Coors. If for no other reason, a Santana signing would given the Rockies a much needed burst of energy and leadership in the clubhouse.

Wade Miley was overlooked in 2023, but he could've added stability while giving them a valuable trade chip come July

St. Louis Cardinals v Milwaukee Brewers / John Fisher/GettyImages

Similar to Mahle, Wade Miley is another name that could have brought stability and presence to a potentially messy Rockies rotation. Miley returned to the Brewers this offseason, signing a one-year, $7-million deal, with a potential $2.5 million in incentives, a move that the Rockies could have certainly handled financially, if for no other reason, to bring some competition and veteran presence into a rotation that, from the looks of it, could very well lack identity in 2024.

Miley is 37 and debuted in 2011 for Arizona. A borderline "cup of coffee" player, Miley has played for eight different teams in his career, and has a 4.06 career ERA, and is someone who can keep the ball in the stadium, surrendering only 194 home runs in his 1738.1 career innings pitched. Miley could have almost certainly been a player for a top three rotation spot, and on a one-year deal, could have helped bridge the gap until the Rockies get Marquez and Senzatella back, or until young prospects like Carson Palmquist, and eventually, Chase Dollander, are ready to join the big club.

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4 Players the Rockies will wish they had signed this offseason