Colorado Rockies news and links for Monday, December 9th, 2024
Even though general manager Bill Schmidt said that the team had “considered all options” with former top prospect and Gold Glove winning second baseman Brendan Rodgers, it came as no surprise when the Colorado Rockies chose to non-tender him last month.
Rodgers, now 28-years-old, had long struggled with injuries and failing to live up to the expectations of his draft pedigree. Due an estimated $5.5 million in arbitration and with austerity measures looming large, the Rockies chose to cut Rodgers loose after failing to find a trade partner.
While it obviously stings to see Rodgers walk for nothing, the Rockies at least had multiple options for the keystone in 2025.
Rookie Aaron Schunk showed both promise and patience in his first cup of coffee in 2024, while top prospects Adael Amador (no. 3 PuRP) and Ryan Ritter (no. 19 PuRP) aren’t too far away from the majors after spending 2024 with the Double-A Hartford Yard Goats.
The Rockies also have prospects like Greg Jones (no. 26 PuRP) and Sterlin Thompson (no. 17 PuRP), who can play second base. Add to these options, the Rockies’ decision to trade for someone with a bit more experience as they acquired Owen Miller from the Milwaukee Brewers.
The Rockies’ proverbial cup runneth over with cost-effective second-base options to take into spring training for 2025.
Photo by Dustin Bradford/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Things got confusing when—on that same night they non-tendered Brendan Rodgers—the Rockies signed 34-year-old free agent infielder Kyle Farmer to a one-year deal worth $3.25 million in guaranteed money plus incentives. Those incentives could take Farmer’s guaranteed money over $4 million while the deal also includes a $4 million mutual option for 2026.
That’s . . . not much of a savings in terms of money being spent. However, the move began to make sense once you sat down and thought it through.
The Rockies organization clearly doesn’t think Adael Amador or Ryan Ritter are quite ready. Amador made his major league debut out of necessity in 2024 but largely struggled with Double-A Hartford. Both he and Ritter also dealt with injuries that kept them from playing a full season’s worth of games.
Farmer meanwhile is a versatile and solid defender that can play throughout the infield. He’s logged substantial playing time at shortstop, second, and third base during his career with a smattering of first base and outfield appearances. He’ll even suit up in catcher’s gear if you ask him nicely.
He struggled last season at the plate as he battled injuries in the first half, but his second half was much more in line with his 2021-2023 seasons. During those three seasons he was worth a combined 4.2 rWAR and hit .258/.316/.402 with 61 doubles, 41 home runs, and 187 RsBI. He’s also well known as a strong clubhouse presence and an all-around good guy, both bonuses.
Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images
Stopgap years are not unheard of in recent Rockies history.
In 2022 the Rockies signed now famous pop star Jose Iglesias to a one-year deal as they waited for Ezequiel Tovar to be ready. Iglesias hit .292 over 118 games with Tovar making his debut at the very end of the season. The Rockies then went into 2023 with Tovar as the everyday starter.
Okay, the logic went last week, so perhaps Kyle Farmer is the starting second baseman with the possibility of Amador or Ritter taking over at the tail end of the season. Hopefully then the Rockies will be naming one of the prospects as the Opening Day second baseman for 2026. There’s that sorted.
Everything got confusing again last Friday when Thomas Harding skeeted (yes that’s what its called) on BlueSky that the Rockies were still looking for a second baseman, and former San Francisco Giants infielder Thairo Estrada was a potential candidate.
Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images
What?
General manager Bill Schmidt explained the organization’s thinking as the Winter Meetings began over the weekend.
“Farmer gives us some depth and versatility,” Schmidt told the Denver Post on Saturday. “He can play third, short and second. He could even catch in an emergency.”
Harding further confirmed over the weekend that both Farmer and Aaron Schunk will be multi-position utility players to start 2025, rather than be locked down to second base. The Rockies will instead look for another veteran to start at second.
Estrada, 28, is a lot like Farmer in that he’s trying to rebound from a rough 2024 where he struggled with both injuries and productivity. He was a strong contributor to the Giants from 2021-2023, and while primarily a second baseman, he also has that positional versatility the Rockies always seem to covet. Estrada has played every position but first base and catcher at least once.
Per Harding, the Rockies are also looking into former Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox second baseman Nick Madrigal, as well as former New York Yankees and Miami Marlins player Jon Berti (and his excellent mustache) to start for them in 2025.
Photo by Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos via Getty Images
Although the Rockies walking away from Brendan Rodgers wasn’t a surprise, everything else they have done since has been.
They cut him loose to save an approximate $5.5 million only to potentially pay more than that for Kyle Farmer to play a utility role and another veteran to be the stopgap second baseman.
The Rockies already had multiple options within the organization if this decision were about saving money. Aaron Schunk could have been given a chance to earn the starting job until Amador and/or Ritter were ready while Own Miller or Greg Jones could have played a utility role. (It’s not like anyone thinks the Rockies will be contending in 2025.)
Perhaps things will become more clear as the Winter Meetings progress throughout the week, but right now we are left asking this: Just what are the Rockies planning at second base?
★ ★ ★
Mets to sign Juan Soto | MLB Trade Rumors
The Juan Soto sweepstakes ended late Sunday night as the New York Mets emerged the victor. The Mets will pay Soto $765 million over 15 years with a $51 million AAV. The contract includes escalators that will take Soto above $800 million if he serves the duration of the contract. There are zero deferrals and an opt-out after five seasons.
Will Rockies target Estrada as Winter Meeting near? | MLB.com
Thomas Harding expands on the Rockies’ links to Thairo Estrada, as well as dives into to other possibilities over the next week in his guide to the Colorado Rockies at the Winter Meetings.
★ ★ ★
Please keep in mind our Purple Row Community Guidelines when you’re commenting. Thanks!