Colorado Rockies additions and subtractions
Key additions: Wade Davis, Bryan Shaw, Chris Iannetta
A Newcomer to watch Wade Davis. For the second time in his career, Davis is taking over for Greg Holland as the new closer. This time, it will be with the Colorado Rockies.
In his only year with the Cubs, Davis had another typically solid performance. He posted a 2.30 ERA and a 1.142 WHiP, notching 32 saves in 33 opportunities, while striking out 79 batters in 58.2 innings. However, there were signs that Davis was slipping; his WHiP was the highest of any season he spent in relief, and his 4.3 BB/9 rate was the highest of his career.
With a three year contract worth $52 million, the Rockies are betting that those numbers are an aberration. Davis was certainly excellent last year, but he was not that shut down cyborg he had been in the previous three seasons. If he does falter even further, those woes could be magnified in Colorado.
Notable losses: Greg Holland, Pat Neshek, Tyler Chatwood, Jonathan Lucroy
Biggest loss: Tyler Chatwood. The Rockies addressed the losses in the bullpen by bringing in Davis and Bryan Shaw. However, the loss of Tyler Chatwood from the starting rotation remains unfilled.
At first glance, Chatwood would not appear to be a major loss for the Rockies. Yes, he took the ball 33 times, making 25 starts, but the results were not exactly spectacular. He finished 8-15, leading the National League in losses on a team that was 87-75. Chatwood posted a 4.69 ERA and a 1.4442 WHiP, numbers that are better suited to a back of the rotation arm.
However, those struggles were almost entirely the product of Coors Field. Away from the launching pad in Colorado, Chatwood posted a 3.49 ERA and a 1.228 WHiP, striking out 62 batters in 77.1 innings. That performance gave the Colorado Rockies another excellent option on the road, and one that they may well miss in the coming year.