Deadline deals signal team eyeing playoffs
The Rockies were not wallflowers at the trade deadline.
On Monday, they acquired veteran outfielder Kevin Pillar from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for a player to be named later and 2019- 20 international slot money.
That move came a day after they traded for right- handed reliever Mychal Givens in exchange for prospects Tyler Nevin and Terrin Vavra, plus a player to be named later. Givens
figures to be a late- inning set- up man.
Here’s what the moves tell us about the 2020 Rockies in this unique 60- game season:
• Despite their pedestrian 1717 record entering Monday night’s game against San Diego, the Rockies believe they are good enough to be one of eight National League teams to make the expanded playoffs. They also think they can make some noise in the postseason.
• Pillar, 31, an eight- year veteran, has good range in the
outfield and is capable of making tough catches, something that makes him a good fit for Coors Field’s spacious outfield. He ranks in the top 25% in sprint speed, defensive outs above average and range, according to Statcast.
But general manager Jeff Bridich disagreed with the notion that Pillar was brought in primarily for his defensive skills. As is often the case with Bridich, he cited intangibles as the reason why he believes Pillar is a good fit, even comparing him to outfielder Gerardo Parra, who was part of Colorado’s 2017 and ’ 18 playoff teams and helped Washington win the 2019 World Series.
“I see a lot of the same sorts of things, same sorts of qualities that we really desired and respected,” Bridich said. “Watching ( Pillar) play and watching Gerardo play games all of those years, we respected the way he went about playing the game.
“He’s about the energy and the effort. Doing little things to help teams win a game, bringing some sort of personality and some excitability on the field.”
• The Rockies’ offense has underperformed and needs a jolt, something Pillar might provide.
“We’re hoping that Kevin can come in and provide a spark to our offense and play an above- average center field in a park that demands it,” manager Bud Black said.
Pillar was having a relatively strong season in Boston, with a .274/. 325/. 470 slash line. The righthanded batter has hit four home runs with 13 RBIs in 30 games.
• Bridich likes Pillar’s experience in the National League West and at Coors Field. He hit .264 with 21 home runs and 87 RBIs in 156 games for the San Francisco Giants last season. In 12 games ( 10 starts) at Coors Field, Pillar has hit .326 ( 15- for- 46) with one home run, two doubles and seven RBIs.
• The Rockies are hoping that all- star David Dahl can return to be a contributor this season, but he’s slumped badly and is currently on the injured list with side and back issues. While Black indicated the Dahl will resume hitting during practices soon, Bridich sounded more cautious about Dahl’s situation.
“First things first with David,” Bridich said. “That’s the overall health of his body and getting him back into a physical state where he can perform the way … we saw last season, in particular.
“But right now his body is not in a position to allow him to do that and we need to continue to work with him.”
• Pillar provides some flexibility to the batting order. He has experience batting throughout the order, mostly in the spots five through eight, but he also has significant experience as a leadoff hitter, making 93 starts from that spot.
• Black said that Pillar could enable the Rockies to get veteran right fielder Charlie Blackmon off his feet more often and use him more often as a designated hitter — as much as Blackmon may prefer not to. However, Blackmon is likely to play mostly in right field until Dahl returns.