Denver Post sports writer Patrick Saunders with the latest installment of his Rockies Mailbag.
Pose a Rockies- or MLB-related question for the Rockies Mailbag.
Will Nolan Jones be the only Rockies All-Star? Does Charlie Blackmon make it through the year or get traded to a contender?
— Tony Erquiaga, Winnemucca, Nev.
Tony, I believe that Jones is the Rockies’ next big star. He’s talented, committed, charismatic and an eager learner. So, yes, he’s likely the Rockies’ best candidate for the All-Star Game. I wouldn’t rule out shortstop Ezequiel Tovar. He’s already evolving into a prime-time infielder, so if he can bump up his offense a bit, we might see him at Globe Life Field in July.
As for Blackmon, the plan right now is for him to finish out the season — and perhaps his career — in Colorado. That’s why he signed a one-year, $13 million contract.
Now, suppose Blackmon has a terrific first half. Would other teams want him? Would the Rockies trade him? Teams might covet him as a veteran designated hitter for a playoff run, but the price tag on his remaining contract might make a trade problematic. But if a contending team did make a legitimate offer, I could see the Rockies trading Blackmon and giving him a chance to go to the playoffs again. With his veteran status, Blackmon can nix any trade.
For the record, I thought the Rockies overpaid Blackmon, who can earn $2 million in performance bonuses as part of his 2024 contract, which would raise his pay to $15 million.
Hey Patrick, Zac Veen was left off the MLB top 100 prospects list this year. Do you still think he’s on a 2024 ETA for the majors or should we temper our expectations?
— Ron, Pueblo
Ron, the reason Veen dropped out of MLB Pipeline’s top 100 is because he was limited by an injury last season. In July, Veen had surgery to repair a tendon in his left — the top hand in Veen’s left-handed-hitting swing. The injured wrist handicapped Veen at the plate where he hit .209 with two home runs and 24 RBIs in 46 games at Double-A Hartford. I would imagine that Veen will return to Hartford to begin the 2024 season but I wouldn’t rule out Veen making his big-league debut in 2024.
Where and how will we watch the broadcast?
— Philip Cherner, Denver
Phillip, this has been a central question during the offseason. I’ve been told that a resolution to the Rockies’ TV dilemma could come as early as this week. But then, I’ve been told that a deal was near several times. Stay tuned.
From what I’ve been told, all 162 games will be televised, Major League Baseball will acquire the broadcasting rights and will produce and distribute the games. Games will be streamed on MLB.tv. Most, if not all, of the on-air crew will return in some form or fashion. What I don’t know is if games will be shown via a local cable channel.
I did a deep dive on this topic earlier this month.
Watching Nuggets games recently, I noticed that Altitude has been running promotional plugs for Rockies tickets being on sale. This is the first time that I have seen this happen. What are the chances that a Rockies TV deal on Altitude Sports becomes more likely?
— Jake Chavez, Westminster
Jake, unless a last-minute deal is struck, I don’t think the Rockies will work out a deal with Altitude. I believe the ads are airing on Altitude because it’s a smart place to advertise to a sports audience and because the Rockies no longer have a TV home in which to pitch their product.
I’m (cautiously) encouraged by the couple of rotation moves the club made this off-season with Dakota Hudson and Cal Quantrill. But the bullpen is looking lackluster, to put it mildly. Is there work to be done there before spring training or are we just rocking with what we got? Also, were there honest negotiations with Brent Suter before the Rox let him walk?
— Shawn, Chicago
Shawn, “cautiously encouraged” is an apt description. I think the Quantrill acquisition was a savvy move — if his shoulder is truly healthy. We’ll see how it turns out.
This is what I wrote in November when Colorado’s trade with the Guardians was made:
“The Rockies hope they’re getting the same pitcher who was outstanding in 2022 when he went 15-5 with a 3.38 ERA over 186 1/3 innings (32 starts) and helped the Guardians win the American League Central title.
“But Quantrill, 28, saw his ERA balloon to 5.24 with the Guardians this past season as he dealt with lingering shoulder issues. He spent two stints on the injured list and pitched just 99 2/3 innings. Still, it was a surprise when the Guardians designated him for assignment earlier this week.”
I agree with you that the bullpen is a gigantic question mark. I would not be surprised if we see the Rockies add a reliever in the next few weeks.
Regarding Suter, he told me toward the end of the season that he was interested in re-signing with Colorado. It didn’t work out but the Rockies attempted to bring him back. I asked general manager Bill Schmidt your question and he told me: “We had a lot of discussions with Suter’s agent prior and after he became a free agent.”
Suter, who grew up in Cincinnati, signed a one-year, $3 million deal with the Reds.
“We are super excited, it’s just a dream come true,” Suter told MLB.com. “The Reds were my favorite team of any sport, anything for years and years growing up. This is absolutely surreal, so cool.”
Suter, 40-22 with a 3.49 ERA in 253 career games for the Brewers (2016-22) and Rockies (’23), graduated from Archbishop Moeller High School in Cincinnati and lives in the city during the offseason.
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