Denver Post sports writer Patrick Saunders with the latest installment of his Rockies Mailbag.
Pose a Rockies — or MLB — related question for the Rockies Mailbag.
After the rough season(s) by Wade Davis, will the Rockies turn to Daniel Bard in the ninth inning this year? Or is it a healthy Scott Oberg’s job to lose this spring? Thanks and be well. — Greg Jewett, Syracuse, N.Y.
Greg, I think Oberg would be the better closer, but given his health history with blood clots, I imagine the closer role on opening day will belong to Bard.
Oberg was sensational in 2019, posting a 2.25 ERA and limiting opponents to a .196 batting average. In a year when baseballs were rocketing out of ballparks, he went 5-0 with four saves and a 1.71 ERA in 28 games at Coors Field. But his season ended prematurely for a third time due to blood clots in his right arm.
The blood clots have appeared in August each time, so the plan is for the Rockies to monitor Oberg’s innings and pace him throughout the season in hopes that the blood clots don’t reoccur. Last September, he underwent thoracic outlet surgery (involving the removal of a rib) and the hope is that the procedure will alleviate blood clotting. As for Bard, his remarkable comeback 2020 season was no fluke. He’s got excellent stuff and is tough-minded.
All things Rockies have been relatively quiet from a national and local standpoint. Are the chances that they just stand pat and run the same team back next season greater than the chances of any additions/trades at this point? — Ron, Denver
Ron, I think it’s pretty clear that the Rockies are going to remain quiet unless they trade Nolan Arenado or Trevor Story. I’ve been monitoring those situations closely and I’ve been told that there’s nothing imminent regarding either player. That being said, while Arenado has a no-trade clause, Story does not, so Story could be traded without being involved in the process. In other words, he could be traded with very few people seeing it coming (shades of the Troy Tulowitzki trade in July 2015).
According to numerous people I’ve talked to in the industry, there has been no movement in regard to locking up Story to a long-term deal before he reaches free agency after the 2021 season. I think there is a very good chance this will be Story’s last season in a Rockies uniform.
As for free agency, I still think it’s possible the Rockies will add an outfielder — perhaps Kevin Pillar returns — but I don’t foresee any major additions.
Finally, let me add one more point. I realize that fans like to cast general manager Jeff Bridich as the villain because he hasn’t signed any big names, but from what I’m hearing, it’s owner Dick Monfort who has dictated that the Rockies are not going to spend money this offseason. Bridich can’t pursue players if he can’t offer them competitive contracts.
Who made the decision to let DJ LeMahieu go? They should be fired. — Marty Kling, Westminster
Marty, this topic has been rehashed in this space many times, but in the wake of LeMahieu signing a six-year, $90 million contract with the Yankees, we’ll revisit it one more time. From what I’ve been told by numerous people, including LeMahieu, the second baseman had interest in returning to Colorado after the 2018 season. The Rockies front office, however, showed little interest in re-signing LeMahieu. That’s what I’ve been told. Bridich does not discuss the internal workings of contracts, etc., so I have not heard his side of the story.
As we all know, the Yankees ended up initially signing LeMahieu for two years, $24 million. He became a star in New York. The Rockies signed Daniel Murphy for two years and $24 million and he ended up being a huge disappointment.
How about going after a veteran starter who’s coming off a rough season. Jeff Samardzija, Cole Hamels, Jake Arrieta are all out there. It wouldn’t hurt to see what’s left in the tank. We messed up letting David Dahl and Tony Wolters go. — Fed Up Fred, Denver
Overall, the track record of veteran starters coming to Colorado is not great, and I have my doubts that any of those you mentioned would want to pitch at Coors Field late in their career — unless they were overpaid.
A pitcher I think the Rockies should at least investigate is right-hander Taijuan Walker, although I don’t believe they have explored signing him. He’s just 28 and has a versatile arsenal of pitches. Walker, who had Tommy John surgery in 2018, has fared well in hitter-friendly ballparks. In 32 games at Arizona’s Chase Field, he posted a 3.47 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP. In four starts at Coors Field, he has a 2.63 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP.
Walker would be something of a risk, but could be an affordable option. Bottom line: I don’t expect the Rockies to sign a free-agent starter to a major-league contract.
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Randall, those are great questions. 1. I think “Chuck Nazty” has plenty left in the tank. He’s 34 but he’s in great shape. Nobody has a stricter workout routine than Blackmon. Yes, he’s slowed down on the bases and he doesn’t cover ground in the outfield like he used to, but he can still hit. Last year, he batted .500 in his first 17 games and he hit .375 vs. left-handed pitchers — and Blackmon is a lefty. If the designated hitter comes to the National League in 2022, Blackmon becomes the perfect candidate to be the DH. 2. The outfielder has a player option after 2022 and ’23. He’ll make $21 million in 2022 and $13 million in ’23. I don’t see him opting out, so I do think he’ll finish his career in Colorado. There is always a chance he gets traded, but I don’t see that happening. 3. I doubt Blackmon will have his number retired. Not that he won’t deserve it, when all is said and done, but the Rockies seem reluctant to honor someone else with a retired number.
Denver Post sports writer Patrick Saunders with the latest installment of his Rockies Mailbag.
Pose a Rockies — or MLB — related question for the Rockies Mailbag.
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