The Colorado Rockies signed left-handed reliever Brad Hand. The two parties agreed to a one-year, $2 million contract. This will be Hand’s eighth team in 13 seasons.
Hand spent last season with the Philadelphia Phillies. He posted a 2.80 ERA in 55 games. It was one of Hand’s lowest ERAs in a couple of seasons.
Going to Colorado is not where any pitcher wants to go. Elevation causes baseballs to fly further from the bat and makes a pitcher’s breaking ball less effective. Fans often see pitchers’ numbers skyrocket after they head to Colorado.
Hand will join a bullpen that doesn’t have a single member who posted a sub-4.0 ERA last season. His lowest ERA came from his closer, Daniel Bard (4.29).
“Mile Tall Meatballs,” one fan tweeted.
“Have fun with it,” said another fan.
The fans don’t have faith that Hand will make it with the Colorado Rockies. All the odds are against you.
Fans believe Hand will be taking batting practice in Colorado. You wouldn’t be surprised if he has a terrible ERA this season.
Things must change for the Colorado Rockies
From the roster to the front office, the team is in bad shape. The Colorado Rockies haven’t been a .500 team since 2018, when they lost to the Milwaukee Brewers in the NLDS. That was the year they had Nolan Arenado and Trevor Story.
Fangraphs has projected this team to have the fewest wins in the league, at 65. There isn’t a polarizing player on their roster that the team can get behind.
It’s hard for the Rockies to get free agents. No pitcher wants to go there, and hitters don’t want their offensive numbers with an asterisk on them because they played in Colorado.
They have great young players like Ryan McMahon and Brendan Rodgers. However, Rodgers dislocated his left shoulder a few days ago. The dislocation may require surgery, putting his 2023 season in jeopardy.
Hopefully they get a healthy Kris Bryant this season. The Rockies signed Bryant last year for seven years and $182 million. He only played in 42 games last season while dealing with foot problems.
The Rockies will trust Bryant this season. He may be the only bright spot on their roster this season if Rodgers can’t take the field.