What might this team look like next year?
Noah Spirek | @NoahSpirek | July 21, 2023
2023 has been a season to forget for Rockies fans. As the team continues to threaten their first 100-loss season in franchise history, now is a good time to put this year aside, and glance at who the Rockies have under contract for 2024. Additionally, I share my (way-too-early) prediction for the 2024 Rockies Opening Day roster and lineup.
Impending Free Agents
- Charlie Blackmon
- Randal Grichuk
- C.J. Cron
- Jurickson Profar
- Brent Suter
- Chase Anderson
- Fernando Abad
Option Players and Players Facing Arbitration
- Germán Márquez (Team Option)
- Brad Hand (Team Option)
- Brendan Rodgers
- Pierce Johnson
- Austin Gomber
- Peter Lambert
- Harold Castro
- Ty Blach
- Yonathan Daza
Phew. That is a lot of names. Calling the upcoming offseason anything other than crucial would be selling it short. The Rockies’ front office has several big decisions ahead of them. Here’s what I think they’ll do. Or, what I think they should do.
“Take a good look, you won’t see [them] for long.”
The only impending free agent I could see the Rockies re-signing is Charlie Blackmon. Now, while that might be surprising, this is because I think they will trade Randal Grichuk and Brent Suter. C.J. Cron might garner some value at the trade deadline, and if he does not, I would be very happy to get Cron back on a team-friendly, one-year deal. I think 2023 is the last we see of Jurickson Profar, Chase Anderson, and Fernando Abad in purple.
Moving onto the players under team control, I think the best case scenario for the Rockies is to trade Brad Hand at the trade deadline, but if he is not dealt, I expect the Rockies to let him go into free agency. He carries a hefty $7 million price tag, and that expensive option is not one I believe the Rockies will pick up given Hand’s recent regression. After a strong start to the season, his ERA has ballooned to 4.83 with a high 1.484 WHIP. If Pierce Johnson is able to harness his command in the second half of the season, I could see the Rockies keeping him on the staff. I do expect the Rockies to part ways with Ty Blach and Yonathan Daza, as they have both fallen victim to crowded position battles.
My Way-Too-Early 2024 Rockies Opening Day Roster
Yes, I know, it’s JULY. There are still 60+ games to go in the 2023 regular season, and the trade deadline has not yet passed. That being said, I am excited to revisit this in the offseason and when the Rockies make their official roster announcement next March, just to see how close (and wrong) I am. Bear with me, this might be wild.
Here we go.
Catcher (2): Elias Díaz, Brian Serven
I like the idea of returning All-Star Elias Díaz leading the staff, and Serven stepping in on the days that Díaz needs rest. Serven has worked a lot with the minor league pitchers, and this hypothetical roster happens to include a bunch of younger arms.
First Base (2): Michael Toglia, Elehuris Montero
The stellar defense and switch-hitting ability of Toglia would fit nicely in this lineup, and I think Montero gets one last shot with the Rox. He has dominated every level of the minor leagues, and the whole BSB team is hoping he is able to put it all together against MLB pitching.
Second Base (1): Brendan Rodgers
Brendan is ahead of schedule in his recovery, so there is a good chance we might get to see him before the end of the 2023 season.
Third Base (1): Ryan McMahon
Hopefully a first-time Gold Glove award recipient, McMahon would be locked into the middle portion of this lineup.
Shortstop (1): Ezequiel Tovar
A rising star. I cannot wait to see what Tovar will look like next year with a full season of big league experience under his belt.
Outfield (3): Nolan Jones, Brenton Doyle, Sean Bouchard
A dynamic outfield trio that would be fun to watch. Jones (25), Doyle (25), and Bouchard (27) would make up one of the youngest outfields I can remember the Rockies rolling out.
Designated Hitter (1): Kris Bryant
Ideally, slotting KB in the lineup as the DH would keep him off his feet, off the IL, and in the lineup.
Utility (2): Harold Castro, Aaron Schunk
Welcome back, Hittin’ Harold. Yes, I think the Rockies will re-sign Castro because they love his versatility and contact-centric approach. Schunk gets his spot in the big leagues as a versatile infielder, playing a great third base and a solid second base.
Starting Pitchers (5): Germán Márquez, Kyle Freeland, Antonio Senzatela, Austin Gomber, Peter Lambert
This rotation relies on health. Let’s leave the injuries in 2023, fellas.
Relief Pitchers (8): Daniel Bard, Jake Bird, Lucas Gilbreath, Tyler Kinley, Tommy Doyle, Gavin Hollowell, Matt Koch, Connor Seabold
A fun bullpen? Yes indeed! This group of arms features a wide range of ages, but I think Bud Black could mix and match these guys into fitting roles, and the return of Kinley and Gilbreath will certainly be a welcome sight for Rox fans.
Hypothetical Opening Day Lineup
- Ezequiel Tovar
- Brendan Rodgers
- Ryan McMahon
- Kris Bryant
- Elias Díaz
- Nolan Jones
- Michael Toglia
- Sean Bouchard
- Brenton Doyle
What do you think? What would you change?
Story by Noah Spirek.
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