“We’ve played out scenarios where we would attempt to bring in two guys who can stabilize that area [emphasis added] — who can not only pitch well but know how to give us some bulk innings, which any team needs,” Byrnes said. “That’s probably how we’re trying to map it out. There is a lot of unknown with what pops up in trades or free agency, but we need to add in that area.”
Pitchers have so rarely chosen to pitch in Colorado’s taxing and hitter-friendly altitude that recent front offices all but swore off chasing free agents. But Byrnes said early feedback suggests pitchers are more willing to listen than has been believed in recent years.
“There are different tiers of free agency,” Byrnes said. “It’s kind of interesting, without naming names. But with guys on shorter deals, I think there’s some intrigue. Everyone around the game knows it’s harder to pitch in Colorado, but I think a couple of guys want to take on that challenge, and we’ve brought in a pitching group that will turn over every rock to get at it and solve this thing.”