Mile High Maniac
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Colorado Rockies: Five Free Agents to Target

By Matthew Schoettler

Sep 6, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; A general view of Coors Field before the first inning of the game between the Colorado Rockies and the San Francisco Giants. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 6, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; A general view of Coors Field before the first inning of the game between the Colorado Rockies and the San Francisco Giants. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mat Latos Presents Obvious Upside

With the Colorado Rockies focused on acquiring Yovani Gallardo, they should turn their attention to a starting pitcher flying under the radar. Mat Latos had the worst season of his career in 2015, splitting time between three teams and finding himself a free agent with Spring Training around the corner. A likely factor to Latos’ free agency stint is that he is not a great locker room presence; however, he went to three tough organizations to deal with in 2015.

Unlike Miami or Los Angeles, the Colorado Rockies present a quiet, low-key environment for Mat Latos to regain his confidence, because expectations in the Mile High City are kept in check due to the fact that the team continues to be a basement team in the National League West. In 2015, Mat Latos owned a 4-10 record, with a 4.95 ERA. However, to his defense, he had a 3.72 FIP, giving hope that he could be the bearer of bad luck.

While with the Reds in 2013 and 2014, Mat Latos put together back-to-back strong seasons, registering a 3.16 and 3.25 ERA, respectively. In the past three seasons, Mat Latos posted an 8.0 K/9 or higher each year, which bodes well for playing in hitter-friendly Coors Field. Ian Kennedy managed to land a lucrative deal with the Royals based on his strikeout rate and home run rate.

The Colorado Rockies should turn their attention to Mat Latos, because he provides a low-risk, high-reward situation. If Latos is at his best, he presents value of an ace for pennies on the dollar. Moreover, the Colorado Rockies do not have to give up pick to acquire his services, unlike that of Yovani Gallardo. The Colorado Rockies have no definitive ace heading into 2016, and Mat Latos may be a cheap alternative to that problem in 2016.

Next: First Base Option for 2016?

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