Colorado Rockies make needed move with Wade Davis

The Colorado Rockies made a move at closer on Friday, as Wade Davis has been removed from that role, at least for the time being.

After being permanently converted to the bullpen at the end of the 2013 season, Wade Davis had emerged as one of the better relievers in the game. He was a key part of the Royals consecutive treks to the World Series, and continued to perform well in his one season with the Cubs. A three time All Star, Davis was one of the most sought after closers in the game when the Colorado Rockies signed him to a three year, $52 million contract prior to the 2018 campaign.

However, Davis has not been the same lights out closer that he had been before. His struggles reached the point where the Rockies have made the decision to remove Davis from the closer role, at least for the time being.

While Davis had his struggles at times in 2018, he remained relatively solid. Overall, he had posted a 4.13 ERA, albeit with a 1.056 WHiP and a league leading 43 saves. He struck out 78 batters with just 26 walks in his 65.1 innings, making a relatively successful adjustment to Colorado.

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However, this year, Davis has not had that same success. Instead, he has been hit hard, although that has mainly come in tie games instead of save situations or at home. Nonetheless, the overall results – a 6.82 ERA and a 1.737 WHiP over his 31.2 innings entering Saturday – do not inspire confidence.

Even with those struggles, Davis has actually been solid in the ninth inning, at least in terms of locking down the victory. He has 15 saves on the season in his 17 attempts, a respectable 88.2% success rate. However, his career worst 5.7 BB/9 rate, and the opposition producing an .827 OPS against are cause for alarm.

One has to wonder if the Rockies will look to move on from Davis in the offseason. He would be in the last year of his contract, with $15 million due for 2020. Of course, there is a mutual option for 2021 worth another $15 million that becomes a player option only if he finishes 30 games in that season, but the Rockies may be willing to pay to send him elsewhere.

Even if the Rockies pick up a portion of that salary, Davis could be worth the risk. He has looked to be his dominant self on the road, posting a stellar 0.68 ERA and a 1.275 WHiP away from Coors Field. In those 13.1 innings, he has struck out 15 batters. While his nine walks are a blemish on those sparkling numbers, the opposition has managed just a .581 OPS against Davis away from Colorado. There is still something left in the tank.

The Colorado Rockies have, at least for now, removed Wade Davis from the closer role. It may behoove them to look for a trade partner for the former All Star come the offseason.