By Jordan Long
The Colorado Rockies have a looming decision coming this offseason at the closer position. Closer Greg Holland has a $15 million player option on his contract. If he rejects it, Holland becomes a free agent. What are the Rockies options at that position?
The best case for the Rockies is they re-sign Holland. Holland was amazing before the All-Star break. In the first half of the season the Rockies trusted him to save games. He was 28 of 29 in saves with a record of 1-1 and an era of 1.62. He came into games, struck batters out and didn’t leave the pitches high in the zone for hits or home runs.
In the second half of the season, it was worse for Holland. He blew 3 saves with a record of 2-5 with an era of 6.38. He didn’t keep the ball down in the zone and those ended up in hits and home runs. Colorado couldn’t trust him to save games. If the Rockies keep him, he is going to need to put together a season like he did in the first half of the year. If Holland pitches poorly, the Rockies will wonder why they spent the money.
The other options for the Rockies are to look at what they have in the bullpen right now or free agents. They could promote Antonio Senzatela, German Marquez, or Carlos Estevez to the closer position. They have never been the closer at the Major League Level. All of them will have to battle it out during Spring Training. It may not work out with any of them because of their lack of experience.
The Rockies other option is to look at free agents. There aren’t a lot of closers out there on the free agent market. The only one that makes sense is Wade Davis. Davis was remarkable as the Cubs’ closer. He made 32 saves out of 33 chances with a record of 4-2 and era of 2.30. The Cubs are going to try to keep Davis. If he happens to still be available, the Rockies should take a chance. He is reliable and proved that this season.
The only downside is his contract. He may want one similar to Kenley Jansen or Aroldis Chapman. Jansen has an average salary of $16 million while Chapman’ is $17.2 million a year. That is too much for the Rockies to pay a closer. The Rockies have plenty of time to decide what they want to do at the closer position next year.
What should the Rockies do at the closer position next season?
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