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The Colorado Rockies didn't make a ton of moves over the offseason, but a handful of familiar faces are no longer plying their trade with the club and have moved on to other teams. How've they and their new teams been doing?
Michael Cuddyer
After three productive seasons with the Rockies in which he amassed a WAR of 4.3, Cuddyer was signed by the Mets to a two-year deal, who forfeited a first-round pick to acquire him. The Mets are sitting just half a game back of the Nationals and own a record of 24-18. With the exception of Lucas Duda, the offense has been lackluster and has a team line of .236/.303/.358. The Mets' pitching, however, has been phenomenal. The staff owns an ERA of just 3.13 and has been one of the league's best in the K/9, BB/9, LOB%, and GB% categories. Harvey and DeGrom have been excellent, and the Mets have gotten solid contributions from the rest of the staff. Noah Syndergaard debuted last Tuesday and had a bit of a rough time against the Cubs, but logged his first win Sunday with a convincing display against the Brewers. If the hitting catches up to the level of the pitching, the Mets are going to be pretty scary.
Cuddyer has struggled along with the rest of the lineup. He's hitting .253/.319/.363 and hasn't had a worse BB/K ratio since 2001. Cuddy has primarily been deployed in left field, with Lagares in center and Granderson in right. He's hit fourth for the most part, but has struggled to produce with only three home runs and 17 RBIs to his name. Mets fans and reporters are hoping that his performance last night against the Cardinals, in which he reached base safely each time with three singles and a walk, is indicative of things to come. Cuddyer says he feels a bit better about his swing as of late, and the Mets will be crossing their fingers that they get some more production out of the 2013 NL batting champion.
Josh Rutledge
Heading into the 2014 season, it wasn't clear who would be manning second base come the season's end. LeMahieu had always shown himself to be defensively sound before being recognized with a Gold Glove, but it was hoped that Rutledge could provide some more offense at the position. After failing to establish himself in the lineup, striking out as many times as he got a hit, Rutledge was shipped out to Los Angeles for Jairo Diaz. Erick Aybar and Johnny Giavotella are currently the starters at shortstop and second respectively, and former Rockies player Taylor Featherston is the Angels' infield depth guy, meaning Rutledge has spent the season in Triple-A so far with the Salt Lake Bees. In the hitter-friendly PCL, Rutledge has hit just .258/.313/.384 and has 39 hits to 30 strikeouts over 37 games. He has shown some ability to drive the ball, however, and has recorded nine doubles, two triples, and two home runs. The Angels, for their part, are 5.5 games behind the Astros, who've been as hot as they come having gone 7-3 in their last 10 games.
Juan Nicasio
After posting an ERA of 5.38 and failing to lock down a spot at the back of the rotation in 2014, the Rockies DFA'd then traded Nicasio to the Dodgers for outfielder Noel Cuevas. Nicasio has had a spot in the Dodgers' bullpen thus far and has tossed 17.1 innings of solid relief, allowing two runs for an ERA of 1.02. He's also whiffed 25 and owns a WHIP of 1.08. Nicasio also earned his first save in his sole opportunity of the season. The Dodgers, of course, are 24-16 and a game and a half ahead of the Giants for the division lead.
Rob Scahill
Scahill was dealt to the Pirates for RHP Shane Carle, who's been playing in the minors with both New Britain and Albuquerque. Scahill, however, earned himself a spot with the Pirates MLB roster and has, like Nicasio, looked good so far. Through 17.2 innings of relief, Scahill has allowed just two runs and owns an ERA of 1.02. Similarly to Nicasio, Scahill is striking out more than twice as many batters as he walks and he's got a WHIP of 1.30. The struggling Pirates are 18-22 and sit 8.5 back of St. Louis.
Jhoulys Chacin
Chacin struggled throughout 2014, beginning the season on the DL with shoulder inflammation and starting just 11 games before being shut down. A drop off in velocity and concerns over the injury prompted the Rockies to release Chacin, who has now found a home with the Cleveland Indians. Chacin is currently pitching for the Columbus Clippers in the Triple-A International League. Over two starts through which he logged just 10.2 innings, Chacin has allowed eight runs.
Brett Anderson
Anderson signed with the Dodgers after the Rockies declined to exercise their team option, and he has made eight starts so far. He's struggled to go deep into games and has lasted 6.0 innings in just three of his starts. Anderson has struck out 31 while walking just 9, which is something I wish our pitchers could take notes on doing, and has a record of 2-2 and an ERA of 3.61.
Matt Belisle
Belisle has been a steady contributor in the Cardinals' bullpen after leaving the Rockies as a free agent. Through 18.1 innings, Belisle has an ERA of 2.95 and has struck out 15. He does have one blown save, but otherwise has looked solid in 19 appearances. It's definitely nice to see a long-time Rockies player like Matt Belisle get a chance to play for a team as good as the Cardinals, who are fighting off the second-place Chicago Cubs.
Nick Masset
Masset battled back from injuries that caused him to miss all of 2012 and 2013 to earn a spot in the Rockies bullpen in 2014. He struggled mightily in a late-inning role, posting an ERA of 5.80 through 45 innings. Masset signed a minor league deal with the Marlins over the offseason, was released, resigned, then DFA'd before signing with the Braves. He's bounced around between Triple-A and the majors a bit, but has hopefully found a place in the Braves' bullpen. He pitched a clean inning in his first appearance with the Braves, striking out one in the Braves' 5-3 loss to the Rays.
Franklin Morales
Morales signed with the Royals over the offseason and has been pitching out of the bullpen. He's allowed seven runs through just 16.1 innings and has blown a save. Morales has generally looked solid, but was lit for four runs by Cleveland two weeks back.