The Denver Post’s Patrick Saunders on Tuesday answered questions from readers about the Colorado Rockies in a live Lunch Special chat. Here are the highlights:

Looks like the Giants are loading up with veteran bats. How do you think Evan Longoria and Andrew McCutchen will fare in the NL West and can you give us your current NL West power rankings?

Patrick: I think the Giants are markedly improved. But I still don’t think they are a very athletic team. Longoria and McCutchen are good, but no longer great players.

Anyway, I would rank the NL West this way right now:

1. Dodgers

2. Rockies

3. D-backs

4. Giants

5. Padres

Are there any players on the trade market that you could see making sense for the Rockies? Maybe someone like a Chris Archer or Jake Odorizzi?

Patrick: I don’t know if the Rockies are done yet … but I don’t see them trading for a starting pitcher. GM Jeff Bridich is not going in that direction.

Two outfielders, Christian Yelich or Billy Hamilton, might make sense in a trade. I emphasize MIGHT.

Do you think the Rockies are done adding pieces to the ‘pen? How do you see the bridge to Wade Davis shaping up?

Patrick: Yes, I do think the Rockies are done adding to their bullpen. The bridge to Wade Davis is pretty obvious. It will be right-hander Bryan Shaw and lefty Jake McGee.

Not every game of course. Lefty Mike Dunn and right-handers Adam Ottavino and Scott Oberg could see time in late innings, too.

Why was Charlie Blackmon signed to only a one-year deal?

Patrick: The reason Charlie Blackmon signed only a one-year deal is because it was his final year of arbitration eligibility. It was a way for the Rockies to save money this year and a way for Blackmon to get rewarded for his great season.

Charlie told me he was “happy” with the $14 million deal.

Charlie’s agent told me that the time and energy to work out a possible multi-year deal would not happen until spring.

Remember, there are two sides to this. Charlie wants to get paid and the Rockies have to examine their long-term vision.

Who will really be on first?

Patrick: Right now, I still think it will be a combo of Ryan McMahon and very possibly Mark Reynolds. I’ll have a story on that later today.

What are the options for CarGo’s future?

Patrick: I think CarGo will sign a one-year “prove it deal,” somewhere, to reestablish his value. I DON’T think it will be in Colorado. I could see him ending up in Arizona. I think that makes sense.

I feel that if the Rockies sign Reynolds, then they are set for Opening Day, do you agree? That would give them a nice platoon at first even though Reynolds isn’t great against lefties.

Patrick: Even if the Rockies sign Reynolds, I still think they are a bat short in their lineup. If they don’t beef up the offense, they are counting on big years from Ian Desmond, David Dahl and Trevor Story at the plate. Can those guys come through? Big questions.

Why did theRockies bring back catcher Chris iannetta? Worst starting catcher in MLB now? Especially with Jonathan Lucroy still on the market!! How do you justify this move?

Patrick: How do I justify the Rockies catchers? I hope you mean how do the Rockies justify it.

Anyway, from what I’ve been told, Lucroy was fishing for more money than the Rockies wanted to spend. It’s clear the Jeff Bridich’s plan all along was to spend big on the bullpen, and signing Iannetta relatively cheap (two years, $8.5 million), freed up money for the ‘pen.

I think the Rockies wanted to make sure and lock up a veteran catcher before they were gone.

Is the Rockies catching situation a team strength? No, but I think Iannetta is better than you think.

We’ve heard about the possibility of adding another bat at 1B or in the OF, either as depth or potentially an impact bat if the price is right. With the McCutchen trade is there any more urgency to make in a impact addition, or any addition at all?

Patrick: I agree that the Rockies should add a bat, at first or in the outfield, but the moves the Giants have made really don’t affect the team’s construction. You can’t build your team in reaction to what others do, you have to build based on what your team needs.

With the Rockies pinching pennies and signing Iannetta and no first baseman is that so we can potentially make a run at an ace or game changing player at the deadline?

Patrick: As I’ve repeatedly said, I don’t think the Rockies are going to make a run at an “ace.” It’s not in their blueprint.

As for a game-changing player, I thinking signing Wade Davis qualifies.

If you are waiting for the Rockies to sign J.D. Martinez or Eric Hosmer, I wouldn’t hold your breath.

How do the Rockies view Ian Desmond’s future with his big contract?

Patrick: Obviously, they believe in him. GM Jeff Bridich and manager Bud Black think the disappointing 2017 season as an aberration. They think Desmond will produce when he’s healthy.

I see him as the everyday left fielder and a part-time first basemen.

If everyone is healthy, big if, who is starting outfield? I would like to see Desmond, Blackmon and Dahl with Gerardo Parra and Raimel Tapia on bench.

Patrick: Projecting the Rockies outfield right now is difficult. I think you have it mostly right, though at this point I would put Parra in front of Dahl.

Do you think the Rockies will be able to sign Nolan Arenado, Blackmon and DJ LeMahieu to long term deals when they are free agents at the same time?

Patrick: The Rockies are facing difficult contract decisions, for sure.

Just to make sure you are aware, Blackmon and LeMahieu become free agents after the 2018 season. Arenado becomes a free agent after the 2019 season.

Can the Rockies keep all three? I don’t think so. If I had to handicap it right now, I think the priority is re-signing Arenado (he’s younger and could end up in the Hall of Fame), then Blackmon (who will be 32 this summer), then DJ.

What’s your projected Rockies rotation this year? I’m going: Jon Gray, German Marquez, Tyler Anderson, Chad Bettis, Kyle Freeland (with Jeff Hoffman and Antonio Senzatela in the ‘pen)

Patrick: I set up the rotation this way:

Gray

Marquez

Freeland

Anderson

Bettis

So we basically agree.

But I would not be shocked to see either Hoffman or Senzatela in the rotation on opening day. For once, the Rockies have excellent depth ….. and they are going to need it. Related Articles Rockies designate veteran reliever Wade Davis for assignment

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I’m a big fan of Raimel Tapia and would love to see him play every day. Do you think that’s in the cards?

Patrick: I like Tapia, too, but he’s still raw. The club could use his speed and athleticism.

I think the fourth outfield job, at least right now, is between Tapia and David Dahl. A healthy Dahl gets the edge because of his power.

Does Story need to have a strong year to avoid Brendan Rodgers taking his spot or is Rodgers likely the long term answer at 2B?

Patrick: I think Story is a better fielding shortstop than Brandon Rodgers … but make no mistake, this is a huge year for Story. He has to become a better hitter and cut down on strikeouts. I think he will. Which could open the door Rodgers at second base in 2019.

In recent years, we’ve seen contending teams realize you don’t have to finish building your team in the offseason and wait until closer to the trade deadline to address remaining holes. Could you see the Rox not making anymore moves this offseason, go with McMahon at 1st, and make a trade, if needed closer to the deadline? If so, who would be the likely trade candidates (short term rentals) at 1st?

Patrick: That’s an interesting way to look at this situation. The Rockies could certainly do that. Last year, they added catcher Jonathan Lucroy and reliever Pat Neshek at the deadline. They ended up as rentals.

As for who the Rockies might use at trade bait, I think it’s way too early to speculate.

Now that Josh Harrison has publicly asked to be traded, and with a cost of only $10.3 million for this season followed by two club options, any chance the Rox try and make a move for him?



Patrick: I suppose that’s possible, but I don’t think the Rockies would be willing to give up starting pitching prospect for him. But he is a versatile player who could play both outfield spots and provide versatility.

With the CarGo and Jose Reyes contracts off the books, who is the Rockies highest paid player now?

Patrick: For the 2018 season, Ian Desmond ($22 million) has the biggest salary.

After that it is:

Nolan Arenado ($17.5 MM)

Wade Davis ($16 MM)

Charlie Blackmon ($14 MM)

DJ is such a good all-around player. Why is he not paid more or given more attention? I actually think that it would be better if DJ was leadoff and Charlie could advance DJ or bat him home with his HRs.

Patrick: Regarding DJ LeMahieu, I agree that’s he’s underrated, at least nationally. His teammates, however, know how good he is.

I totally disagree with the idea of taking Blackmon out of the leadoff spot. He thrived there and he sets the tone for the whole team.

I continue to see the Rockies being linked to Logan Morrison. Is there anyway that happens? Or is the first base position Ryan McMahon’s to lose?

Patrick: I, too, have seen Morrison linked the Rockies. But GM Jeff Bridich completely dismissed that idea at the winter meetings.

Things might have changed, but I don’t think so.

Find the full chat transcript below:

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