Offseason begins
It was a pitcher's duel throughout when the Rockies played the Atlanta Braves in the Wild Card 1 game playoff. The only difference was a 2 run single by catcher Bryan McCann. Braves SP Kris Medlen spun a gem going 8 innings giving up no runs and just 3 hits. Medlen was a player who was involved in trade rumors with the Rockies earlier in the season before the Rockies got Tommy Milone instead.
The Rockies have a number of decisions in the upcoming offseason, They have 3 players with option years in their contracts:
RP Rafael Betancourt - $4,250,000 ($250,000 buyout)
RP Matt Belisle - $4,250,000 ($250,000 buyout)
SP Jorge De La Rosa $11,000,000 ($1,000,000 buyout)
They also have 6 players that are arbitration eligible:
SP Juan Nicasio - estimate $2,200,000
SP Chris Volstad - estimate $1,700,000
RP Josh Outman - estimate $750,000
2B Jonathan Herrera - estimate $1,000,000
SS Reid Brignac - estimate $750,000
LF Tyler Colvin - estimate $2,600,000
As well as one free agent that everyone in Colorado would love to see retire as a Rockie:
1B Todd Helton - asking $2,200,000
Available for Free Agents - $14,700,000
Available for Extensions - $6,700,000
As you can see the Rockies have a lot to decide. I would say the 3 biggest include Jorge De La Rosa's contract option, while he is Colorado's #1 starter he has not performed like it with a 4.40 ERA last season and only 14 quality starts in 34 starts. The question is do they stick with him as they don't have many better options or hope they can find a bargain deal to replace him in free agency? RP Rafael Betancourt was fantastic for Colorado this last season but with his current injury they would not see him on the field till at earliest July so is it worth it to pay half his salary while he recovers or let him go an appoint Rex Brothers the closer? And of course Todd Helton played well this year but also turned 40 so we don't know how he will perform next season and prospect Ryan Wheeler performed well in AAA. Stay tuned to see what happens.