2015-16 Colorado Rockies

The 2015 version of the Colorado Rockies took full advantage of playing in the high altitude of Coors Field . The Rockies finished 2nd in the NL in both Batting Average and Home Runs, and enjoyed career seasons from Nolan Arenado, DJ LeMathieu and Carlos Gonzalez. But despite all of the offensive fireworks, it was a league worst 5.06 team ERA that kept the Rockies in last place, 24 games behind the LA Dodgers.

As GM of the Rockies for this simulation, I set two goals to help improve this 68-win roster.

1. Shed some payroll in order to make a run at a #1 or #2 starter in the rotation. As the roster stood, we only had $10 million to spend on free agency. This meant that a trade or two would be necessary in order to make a run at a Johnny Cueto, David Price, or Jordan Zimmerman.

2. Take advantage of playing 81 games in Coors Field, by adding power, and groundball pitchers to the roster.

When the Rockies dealt Troy Tulowitzki before last year’s trade deadline, they not only took on an oft-injured Jose Reyes – but also his $22 million contract. Removing his contract from the roster was actually my 3rd goal for this project. However, that task quickly turned into a pipedream. I made offers to 6 teams that I felt either had a need for SS, or had lots of money under the salary cap. Some deals,( like an offer to Baltimore for Ubaldo/Hardy) even would’ve brought back more money in total than Reyes’ contract was worth.  A 32-year old SS who earns $22 million/yr and only appeared in 116 games last season, is as unmovable of a contract as any (not named A-Rod).

Once it was obvious that Reyes was going to remain in Colorado the next move was to decline Justin Morneau’s $9 million option. Injuries and lack of production made Morneau expendable. Not only did backup Ben Paulsen slug 11 HRs in 325 ABs, but we also plan on having Wilin Rosario try first base. Rosario’s power, (especially in Coors) is too impressive to keep on the bench, or in AAA.

The only realistic way to shed payroll and be able to bid on FA starting pitchers was to explore a trade involving Carlos Gonzalez. Gonzalez hit a career high 40 HRs so trading him while his stock is high seemed like a good idea. 2015 was also the first season since 2012 that Gonzalez appeared in over 110 games.

The official decision to trade Gonzalez came when St. Louis offered OF Randal Grichuk, RP Tim Cooney and agreed to take on all of Gonzalez’s contract. Grichuk, 6 years younger than Gonzalez, is ready to step in and start immediately alongside Blackmon and Dickerson in the OF. His power (17 HRs in only 323 ABs) will be a welcome addition in Coors Field.

The only way this deal made any sense is if we were able to take the money saved in the trade and apply it to a big named free agent. Instead of making a $27 million offer to Greinke, I decided to go after a combo of Johnny Cueto ($19 million offer) and 1B Chris Davis ($8 million offer). Davis would’ve been perfect for Coors Field, and could’ve hit 40 HRs in his sleep there. Unfortunately both bids were too low, and that forced our hand to make a max offer to Jordan Zimmerman. Is he worth the $26 million/yr he received? Probably not. But he was the best FA available at the time – and we desperately needed him.

Now Zimmerman and Jorge De La Rosa headline an up and coming staff that includes Chad Bettis, Jon Gray, Tyler Chatwood and former #1 prospect Tyler Matzek. If the Rockies have any hopes of contending for a playoff spot next season, they need at least 2 of these young starters to have breakout seasons.

Former Marlins closer Steve Cishek was added for $3 million to help sure up an inexperienced bullpen. Either Cishek or Adam Ottavino will go into Spring Training with a chance to replace John Axford as the team’s closer.

The Rockies have a solid lineup that includes many young players to go along with a former all-star like Reyes. The question, as always with this team, is pitching. Jordan Zimmerman helps out Colorado’s pitching staff tremendously. However, he can’t do it all.  Many of Colorado’s young starters will need to take several steps forward if this team hopes to contend with the likes of Los Angeles or San Francisco in 2016.

2016 Colorado Rockies Roster + Salary

Salary cap: $103,800,000
Rockies Salary: $103,750,000

C
Nick Hundley 3,150,000
Brayan Pena 1,100,000

1B
Wilin Rosario 3, 200,000
Ben Paulsen 510,000
Morneau (buyout) (750,000)

2B
DJ LaMathieu 3,700,000
Daniel Descalso 2,100,000

3B
Nolan Arenado 6,600,000

SS
Jose Reyes 22,000,000
Cristhian Adames 510,000

OF
Charlie Blackmon 4,500,000
Brandon Barnes 1,200,000
Corey Dickerson 510,000
Kyle Parker 510,000
Randal Grichuk 510,000

SP
Jordan Zimmerman 26,000,000
Jorge De La Rosa 12,500,000
Chad Bettis 510,000
Jon Gray 510,000
Tyler Chatwood 1,000,000
Tyler Matzek 510,000

RP
Steve Cishek 3,000,000
Boone Logan 6,250,000
Adam Ottavino 1,600,000
Tim Cooney 510,000
Eddie Butler 510,000