What Does the Future Hold for the Colorado Rockies This Year?

As camps got underway last week and players prepare for their first Spring Training game this Friday, the Rockies camp was abuzz with excitement about what the 2017 season could hold. Not only was that excitement from the players and front office personnel, it was also from the fans who hope that they can see the team get back into the playoff chase.

After finishing last season with a losing record, (75-87), the Rockies were bound and determined to make the necessary moves this winter to move them up to the next level. All of it started at the beginning of October when manager, Walt Weiss, stepped down from the organization. During Weiss's 4-year tenure in Colorado, he had a win-loss record of 283-365 and finished on average 4th in the division.

As an effort to help reenergize the team and fans of the Rockies, General Manager, Jeff Bridich, conducted a long, extensive interview process including both internal and external candidate for the opening before announcing that former Padres manager, Bud Black, would be the team's next skipper.

Following that news, the Rockies went onto address their roster with hopes of making it as competitive as possible and putting the team in the playoff chase this year. Colorado first started by inking Ian Desmond to a five-year, $70 million dollar contract followed by the signing of free agent, relief pitcher, Mike Dunn, to a three-year, $19 million dollar contract. Furthermore, the team added more depth by signing free agent utility infielder, Alexi Amarista, to a one-year, $1.2 million dollar contract and finished by taking a gamble with free agent reliever, Greg Holland who has not thrown in over a year, on a one-year, $6 million dollar contract that includes a 2018 option.

All of these moves were done in part to address concerns from new manager, Bud Black, and his entire coaching staff about the team's lack of depth at certain positions around the field and to really build up a "super bullpen" like the Miami Marlins did. Whether or not all of these moves will work out, has yet to be determined, but what exactly does the future hold for Colorado?

Besides hopes and dreams of having a contending season in 2017, the Rockies are hoping for good health from all of their core players, a starting rotation that is solid enough to carry them through the entire season as well as a bullpen that also carries their weight. With all of that said, as the trade deadline approaches in July, Colorado will likely be at the forefront of many trade rumors especially if they are in contention at that point which looks likely right now.

If the team is in contention, then it will likely look to add on another starter, who could help push them deep into the postseason, along with a reliever or two. Depending on the availability of, Jose Quintana and/or David Robertson, at that time and what the asking price is from the White Sox, that is certainly a possibility. A package that brings Jose Quintana and David Robertson back to the Rockies would be outstanding and would essentially make add a veteran arm to their starting rotation, while beefing up the bullpen even more.

In addition, Colorado might look to a team like the Phillies and inquire about either Jeremy Hellickson or Jeanmar Gomez come July as well. Hellickson would be another veteran presence among the Rockies young staff, while Gomez would add more depth at the back end of the pen. Both Hellickson and Gomez are signed through the end of the 2018 season and could give Colorado a nice boost during that time depending on how the Phillies are performing.

Either way, Colorado has a few different possibilities that they could act upon come the trade deadline depending on the market and the asking price for certain players, but there is also the chance that the team does nothing and hopes that it can make the postseason with the current 25-man roster.

Regardless, Colorado is a loaded team offensively right now and is a true threat in the NL West.