Reacting to Bleacher Reports recent Rockies wish list ahead of Spring Training

With Spring Training right around the corner, Bleacher Report takes a look at what should be on the wish list before the beginning of the 2024 season

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Bleacher Report just came out with an article as we move closer to spring training, "A wish-list for every MLB Team to improve before 2024 Spring Training". I don't think it will surprise anyone at what those positions are, but I wanted to touch on the order of them, as well as some of the names that Rockies fans could expect to be included in those conversations.

No. 1 on the Wish List is adding a Left-handed-hitting outfielder

This is a topic we have covered before, "3 left-handed outfielders the Rockies should target". The Rockies have a number of interesting young outfielders and a few of those emerged last year to show their potential. We saw Nolan Jones put up a 3.7 fWAR season, along with a 20-20 season and a 135 wRC+. We also saw Brenton Doyle put together one of the best defensive seasons in recent memory, earning a Gold Glove in centerfield.

A left-handed option for Bud Black could be a very valuable asset. They have quite a bit of right-handed options with Hunter Goodman, Kris Bryant, and Sean Bouchard. The idea of a high upside left-handed outfielder like Winker, Gallo, or Austin Meadows could make a lot of sense.

I think adding a left-handed outfielder should be a priority for the Rockies. It is a long season and adding some more depth to roam around the largest outfield in baseball is always a good thing. However, given their decent depth in the outfield, the next position should be priority number one.

No. 2 on the Wish List is a reserve infielder

When you look at the Rockies outfield and see names like Nolan Jones, Brenton Doyle, Sean Bouchard, Hunter Goodman, occasionally Charlie Blackmon or Kris Bryant, that seems like some solid depth. Sure, you could add another bat out there, but it is not out of the question to roll into training camp with that core.

When you look at the infield, it should put the Rockies almost into panic mode, especially the middle infield. Their middle infield consists of Ezequiel Tovar and Brendon Rodgers; next up on that list is Julio Carreras, but he should not be counted on for anything after just 16 games at AAA. Tovar was really good in his first big league season, but Rodgers has really struggled to stay healthy, and you will need some solid depth behind him at some point this year.

The corner infield spots have a little bit more depth with guys like Elehuris Montero, Michael Toglia, and Warming Bernabel that could rotate in, all of whom have good upside. This just isn't a very deep or versatile infield; they would be wise to add someone looking for a bounce back year with some versatility. The Rockies should be in on players like Josh Harrison, Kolten Wong, Tim Anderson, Adalberto Mondesi, Amed Rosario, Eduardo Escobar and possibly even Gio Urshela.

No. 3 on the Wish List is to convince a starting pitcher to come to Coors

We have talked about it a few times this offseason, this starting rotation group is going to struggle. They are full of youngsters and hopeful bounce back candidates. The Rockies should have been in the market for a guy like Sean Manaea, especially considering it cost just two years and $28 million for arguably your number one or number two starter.

They added a few interesting arms this offseason in guys like Dakota Hudson and Cal Quantrill. With those two, veteran Kyle Freeland, and hoping to get some solid seasons out of promising youngsters Austin Gombert and Ryan Feltner, the Rockies' rotation is by no means complete.

They aren't going to be in the Blake Snell market, but it could inspire some confidence in this rotation to go after a few names we have talked about before. Guys like James Paxton or Mike Clevinger could give the Rockies a solid front of the rotation starter while giving this young group another experienced veteran presence. They could also target short-term guys that could be a starter or rotate in the bullpen. Veterans like Zach Davis, Alex Wood, or still relatively young lefty, Eric Lauer (who showed some promise in 2021 and 2022) could make a lot of sense for the Rockies.

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