The Colorado Rockies have had one of their most interesting offseasons in memory. I say interesting because it doesn’t seem like there is any consensus on whether the offseason would be considered good or bad. While the team was able to fill their needs in the bullpen and at first base, they took an unorthodox approach that has some fans scratching their heads and saying to themselves, "Ian Desmond? First baseman?" Regardless, the opening up of the purse strings signals that the Rockies may be ready to open up their contention window.
With spring training set to begin next week, ESPN.com’s Jim Bowden has handed out his offseason grades to all 30 MLB teams and he seems to be a fan of what the Rockies have done. He gave the Rockies a "B", the second best grade in the NL West behind the Dodger’s "A."
The Rockies did an excellent job selecting Black as their next manager, and he should be a real difference-maker in the dugout and in handling their pitching staff. Their big free-agent signing came as a surprise when they gave Desmond a five-year, $70 million deal to play first base. The out-of-the-box decision to sign Desmond over a first baseman like Encarnacion, Trumbo or Napoli might have been a shock, but it could turn out to be a solid move. Desmond has always been a 20 home run, 20 stolen base player with a low batting average and on-base percentage. However, playing half his games at Coors Field will in all likelihood inflate all of his numbers, and he should become a well above-average defender at first base.
The Rockies improved their bullpen immensely with the signings of Holland and Dunn, and should be ready to be legitimate wild-card contenders in 2017.
The Atlanta Braves, New York Mets, and St Louis Cardinals also received "B" grades.
What do you think about the Rockies offseason? How would you grade it? Knowing what we know now, do you think spending the money was the wise choice?