Colorado Rockies make surprisingly good move with Alex Colome
If one asks the Colorado Rockies, they are going to contend in 2022. Of course, they believed the same in 2021. And 2020. And the year before that. However, that has not actually been true since 2018, with the team plummeting to mediocrity since.
One thing is certain if the Rockies are going to reverse that trend – they are going to need pitching. While they could use another arm or two in the rotation, the bullpen was a disaster. Finding pitchers that can get outs later in the game will be crucial to those hopes. The Rockies are hoping they have added that type of piece in Alex Colome who they have signed to a one year deal.
Colorado Rockies make right move with Alex Colome
The Rockies attempted to rebuild their bullpen in free agency before. The trio of Wade Davis, Bryan Shaw, and Jake McGee were supposed to be the answer. In the end, it turned out that if they were the answer, the question was wrong.
But the Rockies had to do something if they were going to make good on their expectations. Enter Colome. He has been an All Star in the past, notching three 30 save seasons over the course of his career. In theory, he should solidify the ninth inning.
His overall numbers in 2021 may not give hope that will be the case. He posted a 4.15 ERA and a 1.400 WHiP in his 65 innings, striking out 58 batters with 23 walks. However, those numbers were skewed by a horrific start to the season; from May 1 through the end of the year, Colome posted a 3.51 ERA and a 1.314 WHiP in 56.1 innings. Although those numbers are not stellar, they are a marked improvement over what the Rockies had last year.
Colome is also exactly the type of player that a team such as the Rockies should target. He is on that one year deal, making him someone that could be easy to trade at the deadline if the Rockies struggle. Teams always need relievers, and if Colome returns to form, he could bring back a solid prospect or two. Provided the Rockies remember the deadline, of course.
The Colorado Rockies needed to shore up their bullpen if they are going to contend in 2022. Signing Alex Colome to a one year deal is the right move.