Outfield facing big questions ahead of 2021 season

There are gaps in the Rockies’ outfield.

Were not talking about the power alleys at cavernous Coors Field that have produced 19 cycles, the most at any ballpark in major league history.

We’re talking about the holes that need to be filled in order for the Rockies to have a chance to rebound in 2021. And they’ll have to do it without the talented, but oftinjured David Dahl, who was cut loose at the non- tender deadline earlier this month. Dahl, an all- star in 2019, was projected to make $ 2.6 million through arbitration, but the cost- conscious Rockies decided to move on. On Friday, Dahl agreed to a one- year, $ 3 million deal with the Texas Rangers, according to multiple reports.

“There’s a number of good outfielders that we currently have on our roster, some of whom we would like to get, obviously, some more playing time,” general manager Jeff Bridich said. “There’s financial decisions, and then there’s a health part of it too, which has been a struggle for David at times with us.”

Given the lack of overall production from Colorado’s outfield in 2020, the decision to give up on Dahl is curious. Consider: Rockies outfielders hit just 22 home runs in 2020 ( 26th in the majors) and posted a combined .725 OPS ( 20th).

There were, to be sure, some bright spots. Veteran right fielder Charlie Blackmon, 34, hit .303 and swatted six home runs. Over his first 17 games, Blackmon batted .500 and launched three homers, his hot streak coinciding with Colorado’s sprint out of the gate. But then Blackmon cooled off considerably as the Rockies tumbled toward a 26- 34 final record.

Raimel Tapia, who’s entering his first offseason of arbitration, took over the leadoff spot and produced a solid slash line: .321/. 369/ .402. He also stole eight bases. Plus, Tapia made strides in left

field, perhaps impressing the Rockies enough that he could get a chance to play center in 2021. Tapia, however, hit just one home run and does not profile as a slugger.

As it stands now, the remainder of the outfield would be comprised of Ian Desmond, Sam Hilliard, Garrett Hampson and Yonathan Daza.

Desmond, 35, who opted out of the 2020 season, is scheduled to make $ 10 million in 2021 ( including a $ 2 million buyout on a 2020 club option). In three seasons with Colorado, he’s hit .252 with a .741 OPS and an OPS+ of just 82. It’s fair to ask how much production to expect after Desmond’s been away from the game for a year.

Hilliard and Hampson both showed some pop, with Hilliard hitting six home runs in 114 plate appearances and Hampson — who’s not known as a power hitter — hitting five homers in 184 plate appearances.

Both have displayed solid defense, but for either of them to get consistent playing time, they’ll have to be more reliable at the plate. Hillard, who was demoted to the alternate training site late in the season, slashed .210/. 272/. 438 while striking out 36.8% of the time. Hampson’s strikeout rate was 32.6% and he slashed .234/ .287/. 383.

Daza, 26, remains unproven at the big- league level. Because of the pandemic, he did not play in 2020, so he lost a full season in which to hone his skills. In 2019, he raked at Triple- A Albuquerque, batting .364 with 11 home runs, 48

RBIs and 12 steals in 89 games. But Daza struggled after making his big- league debut, batting just .206 in 44 games ( 24 starts).

The wild card in the equation would be picking up an outfielder via trade or free agency. Colorado acquired Kevin Pillar from the Red Sox at the trade deadline. He played excellent defense and hit well, slashing .308/. 351/. 451 with two home runs in 24 games. But Pillar is a free agent and the Rockies might not pursue him. He made $ 4.25 million on a one- year contract last season and will likely seek a similar deal for 2021.

An outfielder to watch in spring training is Ryan Vilade, a secondround pick in 2017 who worked out with the big- league team at the alternate training site this summer. Had the minors played in 2020, Vilade likely would have begun the season at Double- A Hartford. He slashed .303/. 367/. 466 with 12 home runs and 24 stolen bases in the California League in 2019. There’s a chance he could make his debut with the Rockies in 2021.