The Colorado Rockies Missed Out On Baltimore Orioles Outfielder Nelson Cruz
By Andrew Dill
May 29, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Baltimore Orioles designated hitter Nelson Cruz (23) singles during the sixth inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
The Colorado Rockies and their management were looking to make a splash in free agency following a dreadful 2013 campaign. They would make an offer for Cuban defector and now Chicago White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu who is tearing it up in the American League. Abreu is hitting .276 with 17 doubles, 1 triple, 27 home runs, and 69 RBI’s in 75 games played. Colorado offered him a deal worth upwards to $63-million, but fell short to the White Sox bid of $68-million for six years.
Colorado whiffed on another prime free agent player in Nelson Cruz — who missed 50-games during the 2013 season due to a suspension regarding performance enhancing drugs. Maybe the Rockies were hesitant to sign the outfielder due to the PED scandal, maybe they didn’t know what they would get out of him. But all I know is, the Colorado Rockies swung and missed on Cruz.
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Sure, it’s easy for me to say this now, but Nelson Cruz is tearing up the league right now. The outfielder went 5-for-5 last night (July 6th), collecting his 27th home run of the season which ties him with Jose Abreu (noted above). Entering action on Monday night (July 7th), Cruz is slashing at a line of .290/.356/.582 with 17 doubles, 27 home runs, and 71 RBI’s.
Cruz was recently selected to his third All-Star game alongside teammates Matt Wieters (won’t play), and Adam Jones.
I cannot be mad with one signing for the Colorado Rockies this offseason which was former Minnesota Twins All-Star Justin Morneau. Many were quick to criticize the signing saying the former MVP was washed up and his concussion history will end his career. Well, Morneau has proved people wrong and his numbers are looking pretty good in a hitters park at Coors.
Entering Monday night, Morneau is slashing .316/.348/.518 with 20 doubles, 2 triples, 13 home runs, and 59 RBI’s — not to mention an on-base + slugging percentage (OPS) of .866. Morneau is slated to be a final vote candidate for the National League, so make sure to vote him in!
Colorado also went to on to make minor moves such as signing relief pitcher Boone Logan from the New York Yankees who hasn’t been able to stay on the field. They did however hit the jackpot on a low-key trade sending Dexter Fowler to the Houston Astros for Jordan Lyles and Brandon Barnes. Lyles was incredible as a plug-in pitcher for a staff who was battling injuries. Before going down with a broken hand, Lyles was 5-1 on the season with an ERA of 3.52.
LaTroy Hawkins was a solid pick-up for the bullpen that has been an absolute disaster. Their bullpen ranks 2nd-to-last in the league in terms of ERA which isn’t an easy way to win games by giving up that many runs.
I can’t be displeased with the signing of Justin Morneau as he has done nothing but produce for the Colorado Rockies, but they (meaning the Rockies) missed out on Nelson Cruz big-time. Thinking about it, if the Morneau signing never happened and you add in Nelson Cruz, Colorado could have easily slid 35-year-old Michael Cuddyer in to the infield to play first base.