The Rockies have agreed to a one-year, $3.25M contract with Thairo Estrada, reports Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. The deal comes with a mutual possibility for 2026 or a $750K buyout. Nevertheless, if both facet declines the mutual possibility, the Rockies will nonetheless have the chance to retain Estrada through arbitration for yet one more yr attributable to his Tremendous Two standing.
Estrada, 29 in February, started his profession with the Yankees however broke out after a commerce to the Giants in 2021. He carved out a task for himself in San Francisco with a league-average bat, above-average pace, useful defensive versatility and a plus glove at second base. Over 312 video games from 2021-23, he slashed .266/.320/.416 with a 105 wRC+, 45 stolen bases and seven.4 FanGraphs WAR.
Sadly, the 2024 season was tough for Estrada. He spent two separate stints on the injured checklist with a sprained wrist, and whereas he solely missed a handful of weeks, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area notes that he was enjoying via damage all through the season. It definitely confirmed in his numbers. Estrada nonetheless got here up with 9 Outs Above Common at second base, however his offensive manufacturing was dreadful. Over 96 video games, he slashed .217/.247/.343 with a 64 wRC+. Finally, the Giants have been now not prepared to maintain him on the roster, sending him outright to Triple-A on the finish of August. He elected free company after the season.
Thomas Harding of MLB.com linked Estrada to Colorado final week, noting that the membership was searching for a brand new second baseman. The Rockies are set with Ezequiel Tovar at shortstop and Ryan McMahon at third base, however they’d a niche on the best facet of the infield after non-tendering Brendan Rodgers earlier within the offseason. Whereas they signed
Kyle Farmer to a one-year, $3.25M assure in November, Farmer is older and lacks Estrada’s upside. He’s higher suited to a utility function, which is the function he’s performed for many of his profession.
Estrada additionally drew interest from the Yankees this offseason. But, in Colorado, he’ll get on a regular basis enjoying time as he seems to be to rebuild his worth. Finally, he may have competitors from prime infield prospect Adael Amador, however Amador gained’t flip 22 till April, and his aggressive call-up in 2024 proved he wasn’t prepared for the majors. Certainly, he has but to play a single sport at Triple-A. If Amador continues to progress and Estrada bounces again, Estrada may develop into a useful commerce chip for the Rockies subsequent winter.
