Colorado Rockies: Second Base Options for the 2019 Season
By Josh Ejnes
If the Colorado Rockies want to carry the momentum they created in 2018 into 2019 they’ll need to make some upgrades, starting at second base.
This is an important year for the Colorado Rockies. After the 2019 season franchise cornerstone Nolan Arenado will be a free agent, and unless the team can prove that they’re a championship contender it’s not super likely that we’ll see him sporting the purple and black in 2020.
Luckily, the Rockies are coming off one of their best seasons in recent memory. Their 91-72 record was good for second in the NL West, and their starting rotation, led by 25-year-old ace Kyle Freeland, was the best the team has put forward in years. The exits of Paul Goldschmidt, Patrick Corbin, and AJ Pollock from the Arizona Diamondbacks also helps the Rockies chances, and it looks like the Dodgers are the only team they’ll have to compete with for the division crown.
So far the Colorado Rockies biggest move this offseason has been the signing of Daniel Murphy, who for the last few years has been a super solid offensive second baseman for the Washington Nationals. Initially, it seemed like this move was made to fill the hole left at second base by the exit of DJ LeMahieu, but it was later made clear that Murphy would be the teams new starting first baseman. This is probably a good call (Murphy is a defensive liability at second), but it still leaves the Rockies with the question of who will play second base?
Right now the team’s depth chart lists Ryan McMahon as the opening day starter at second base. McMahon is super young, he’ll be 24 next season, and he’s shown some promise, but his .232/.307/.376 slashline from last year is not indicative of a starting second baseman on a contending team. If the Rockies want to take advantage of this year they’ll need to upgrade at the position. Luckily for them, there are quite a few solid second basemen still out there. Let’s check some out.