Colorado Rockies: Review of the Regular Season and Rocktober
By Paul Ashley
Although Bridich made some questionable decisions to not bring back certain players in free agency, the decisions ultimately worked out for the 2018 team.
Chatwood was only able to put together a 4-6 record through 24 games pitched in 2018. During the season, he threw 103.2 innings and compiled dreadful numbers with a 5.30 ERA, a 5.60 FIP, and 1.804 WHIP. Although Chatwood is only 28-years-old and could turn things around, his contract could have been detrimental for a smaller market team such as the Rockies if he is not able to turn things around.
Holland put together a 0-2 record with a 7.92 ERA through 32 games pitched with the Cardinals. This ultimately led the team to release him despite owing the remainder of his $14 million salary. Despite his poor performance, the Nationals took a chance on Holland after he was released.
Through 24 games pitched for Washington, Holland put together a 2-0 record with a 0.84 ERA. Although his numbers down the stretch were phenomenal, his first half performance with the Cardinals could have greatly impacted the Rockies postseason hopes.
Lucroy helped the Athletics reach the postseason in 2018 as a Wild Card team, but his slash line was not as impressive as the one he put together down the stretch in 2017 for the Rockies. Through 126 games for the A’s, Lucroy held a slash line of .241/.291/.325. He had 10 passed balls and was only able to throw out 31 of the 103 base runners (30%) that attempted to steal with him behind the plate.
Reynolds did not make his regular season debut until May 13th due to signing midway through April. Although he had a game in which he hits 2 HRs and compiled 10 RBI, Reynolds was only able to hit 13 HRs alongside 40 RBI through 86 games.
Out of the five notable players that left through free agency, Neshek may have been the biggest loss. After compiling a 1.12 ERA with the Phillies through 43 games and a 2.45 ERA with the Rockies through 28 games in 2017, he kept up his strong performance in 2018 with a 2.59 ERA and a 1.151 WHIP. Even though he did not make his season debut until July 1st, he could have provided a large boost to the Rockies bullpen during July, August, and September.