Condon will need more seasoning before his big-league debut. There’s still the potential he can manage the outfield instead of being wedged at first base. Should the bat progress rapidly, it would not be a surprise to see him at first base even if someone else is holding down the position.
Free Agent Potential
Entering the offseason, Pete Alonso was atop the list of available first base talent. His five-year, $155 million deal with the Baltimore Orioles is the fifth-largest signed this offseason.
“I think theoretically we could have signed Alonso, right? But what we’re looking to do is really raise our floor,” team president Walker Monfort said at a baseball event in Greeley, Colorado in late January.
As such, it stands to reason that the club doesn’t necessarily need the best man for the job; rather, the best value is what is most optimal for the rebuilding franchise.
Even after Carlos Santana signed a one-year, $2 million deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks and Paul Goldschmidt returned to the New York Yankees for $4 million, no less than five viable options are still available in free agency: Rhys Hoskins, Nathaniel Lowe, Justin Turner, Dominic Smith and Ty France.
There’s even potential for trying to find lightning in a bottle on a minor-league deal as they did five years ago with Cron, but even less options remain. Rowdy Tellez represents the only one of intrigue.
Even still, the Rockies would be more inclined to go with their numerous in-house options than bring in yet another unsure thing.
Trade Candidates
There’s still the potential that Colorado’s Opening Day first baseman is currently with another team.