MLB Rumors: Colorado Rockies not looking to add another pitcher
By Hayden Kane
The Colorado Rockies faced nervous times almost immediately this spring when top starting pitcher Jhoulys Chacin was forced to miss time with shoulder troubles.
Even with relatively good news about Chacin, who is not expected to miss much time at the beginning of the regular season, it stood to reason that the Rockies might try to add another arm for the rotation. The first name that came to mind, of course, was free agent pitcher Ervin Santana, still sitting out there available to any team willing to pay him and surrender a compensatory draft pick.
As the Santana rumors swirled this weekend, the Rockies were linked to him at various points. But at this point the Rockies are reportedly out on Santana and are not expected to look to add another pitcher this spring. Per Troy Renck of the Denver Post:
"The Rockies aren’t looking to acquire a pitcher after Jhoulys Chacin’s injury. Pitcher Ervin Stantana’s free agent odyssey was expected to end Saturday, but not with a deal from the Rockies. Colorado monitored his situation and liked the pitcher. However, the Rockies reached their budget weeks ago when they added $33 million in contracts with multiple trades and signings.”"
The Rockies have a number of high-upside or unproven candidates competing for a spot in the back of their rotation. While none of those options are a sure thing, the Rockies are comfortable proceeding with them rather than paying the steep price for Santana. For a team whose success will always be predicated on their ability to draft and develop talent, that is probably wise.