GM Project: 2017-18 Colorado Rockies

This is a project where 30 people got together to act as the GMs of the 30 MLB teams with the idea of conducting the offseason in one week. This is what happened in this simulation, not a prediction of what will happen in real life.

By Paul Festa

The Colorado Rockies enjoyed a successful 2017 season that saw them make the playoffs for the first time since 2009. Although they were dispatched in the Wild Card game by the Arizona Diamondbacks, they headed into the offseason with a good, young core of players that should be able to contend again in 2018 – but they needed some help.

As Rockies GM-for-a-week, I wanted to build upon the strengths that led the Rockies to 87 wins last season. I set some priorities:

1. Reinforce the bullpen

The bullpen was arguably the main reason why the Rockies did so well in 2017. Outside of one bad month, Greg Holland returned to his pre-Tommy John Surgery form as one of the game’s most reliable closers. Lefty Jake McGee had a bounce back year, and his fellow southpaw Chris Rusin was a revelation. Hard-throwing youngster Carlos Estevez showed flashes of promise. Finally, the trade deadline acquisition of Pat Neshek stabilized the back end of the bullpen.

The problem is, Holland, McGee, and Neshek are all free agents. My job was to either re-sign them or replace them.

2. Find a veteran innings-eater to add to the young starting rotation

Jon Gray, Jeff Hoffman, Kyle Freeland, Antonio Senzatela, and German Marquez highlight a core of fine young arms to build around. But 81 games at Coors Field can wear out any pitcher. Acquiring some depth here was important.

3. Find a catcher

I had every intention of re-signing Jonathan Lucroy, but with the uncertainty of blind bidding on free agents, I was willing to listen to trade offers as well.

4. Reinforce the lineup

With Carlos Gonzalez and Mark Reynolds departing as free agents, I needed to fill holes in the outfield and first base. CarGo appeared to be on the decline last season, so I decided not to pursue him. Reynolds remained an option, but there were many first basemen on the free agent market this year, that I would consider others.

In general, my philosophy was “average hitters become great hitters in Coors Field.” So no need to make too big of a splash. I’d rather spend my money on pitching.

With those goals in mind, and a $130 million dollar budget, I went to work.

I began by declining Alexei Amarista’s option. Then I started to address the bullpen. The Mets offered AJ Ramos in exchange for a prospect. I pulled the trigger, and acquired Jacob Rhame in the deal as well to add more depth, whether that would be at Triple-A or in the major leagues. It would depend on who else I could acquire.

I took a stab at acquiring a few other arms, but my trade offers fell short. Then a deal for a catcher fell in my lap. I thought about waiting until free agency to try to get Alex Avila or Lucroy, but I had a feeling I’d have to spend a significant amount of money on them. I’d budgeted a maximum of $8 million for a catcher. The Twins offered me Jason Castro, who was due to make about $8 million in 2018, so I decided to jump. As it turned out, I’d regret the decision since Avila and Lucroy were signed for much less. Castro isn’t as good a hitter as those guys, but like I said, average hitters become great a Coors. And he does provide the reliable veteran backstop I needed.

I tried unsuccessfully to dump Gerardo Parra’s unsightly $10 million salary, but I figured I still had enough payroll flexibility to play in the free agent market. I bought high on Yonder Alonso for $6 million, which ended the Ian Desmond first base experiment, which I really didn’t like from the beginning. I’ll shift him to left, Parra to right, and of course keep Charlie “Chuck Nazty” Blackmon in center. I considered giving youngster David Dahl the LF job, but I like having the depth in case anyone gets hurt or underperforms.

I struck out on my attempts to find a veteran starting pitcher (and frankly, I wasn’t excited about my options), so I decided to turn my attention back to the bullpen. I still wanted a veteran to man the 8^th inning, as I still didn’t trust Estevez with the role (though I still expect him to take a step forward this year). I finally picked up Anthony Swarzak, who I will probably make my closer, while pushing Ramos to the position of highly-paid set-up man.

At that point, I was scraping the top of my budget, I decided to call it a team. I’m happy with my bullpen and lineup, and my depth on the bench and in the minors, but I still will look for a veteran starting pitcher at the non-waiver trade deadline (in my fantasy world). I also have some nice young power arms in the minors who will all get a chance during the long season. My 40-man roster costs $129,055,000.

With that, here’s your Colorado Rockies 25-man Opening Day 2018 roster:

SP

Jon Gray

Kyle Freeland

German Marquez

Chad Bettis

Antonio Senzatela

RP

Anthony Swarzak

AJ Ramos

Carlos Estevez

Chris Rusin

Mike Dunn

Adam Ottavino

Scott Oberg

Lineup

Charlie Blackmon CF

DJ LeMahieu 2B

Nolan Arenado 3B

Yonder Alonso 1B

Gerardo Parra RF

Ian Desmond LF

Trevor Story SS

Jason Castro C

Bench

Tom Murphy C

Ryan McMahon 1B-2B-3B

Pat Valaika SS

David Dahl OF

Domingo Tapia OF

Player	2018 Salary
Desmond, Ian	$22,000,000
Arenado, Nolan	$17,750,000
Parra, Gerardo	$10,000,000
Blackmon, Charlie	$13,400,000
LeMahieu, D.J.	$8,800,000
Dunn, Michael	$7,000,000
Ottavino, Adam	$7,000,000
Bettis, Chad	$1,500,000
Rusin, Chris	$1,400,000
Gray, Jon	$560,000
Oberg, Scott	$560,000
Story, Trevor	$560,000
Dahl, David	$555,000
Estevez, Carlos	$560,000
Marquez, German	$560,000
Murphy, Tom	$560,000
Freeland, Kyle	$560,000
Senzatela, Antonio	$555,000
McMahon, Ryan	$555,000
Tapia, Raimel	$555,000
Ramos, AJ	$9,200,000
Castro, jason	$8,000,000
Swarzak, Anthony	$4,000,000
Yonder Alonso	$6,000,000
Valaika, Pat	$560,000
	$122,750,000