{"id":543648,"date":"2026-01-29T06:28:18","date_gmt":"2026-01-29T06:28:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/543648\/"},"modified":"2026-01-29T06:28:18","modified_gmt":"2026-01-29T06:28:18","slug":"what-to-make-of-moves","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/543648\/","title":{"rendered":"What to Make of Moves"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Rockies have been busier this winter, or at least more active than past offseasons. On January 28, the Rockies made two trades. Colorado shipped out Angel Chivilli to New York for infielder T.J. Rumfield, and also acquired Edouard Julien and Pierson Ohl from the Twins.<\/p>\n<p>Chivilli to Yankees, Rockies get Rumfield<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Despite what was a trying year for the Colorado Rockies, the team\u2019s bullpen was a rare strength last season. <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/h\/halvose01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=newbaseballmedia.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-01-28_br\">Seth Halvorsen<\/a> emerged as a solid closing option for the future, while the mix of <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/search\/search.fcgi?pid=hergeji01,herget001jim&amp;search=Jimmy+Herget&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=newbaseballmedia.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-01-28_br\">Jimmy Herget<\/a>, <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/search\/search.fcgi?pid=mejia-006jua,mejiaju01&amp;search=Juan+Mejia&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=newbaseballmedia.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-01-28_br\">Juan Mejia<\/a>, and <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/v\/vodnivi01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=newbaseballmedia.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-01-28_br\">Victor Vodnik<\/a> all provided different looks out of the bullpen.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/c\/chivian01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=newbaseballmedia.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-01-28_br\">Angel Chivilli<\/a>, a 23-year-old right-hander, was one of several interesting, young arms for the Rockies. However, he didn\u2019t have much success. Last season, Chivilli gave up 46 earned runs over 56.2 IP, 13 home runs, and ranked 217th out of 221 relievers in wOBA (.387) last season.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Granted, Colorado is not a friendly ballpark for pitchers. However, there were things in Chivilli\u2019s game that you just don\u2019t want to see at all.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Chivilli is a hard-throwing right-hander who topped out at 99 MPH and averaged 97 MPH last season. However, his four-seamer missed very few bats. Only 11% of swings last season off the four-seamer resulted in a swing-and-miss. And the year before, that number was just 9.4%.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His four-seamer is very runny. There\u2019s not much induced vertical break on it, and it runs more than it rides. Thus, it acts more like a two-seamer than a four-seamer. It, on paper, is something that can be corrected.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"490\" height=\"556\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Angel-Chivilli-2025-Pitch-Movement.jpeg\" alt=\"Chivilli 2025 pitch movement\" class=\"wp-image-53713\"  \/><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The good news with Chivilli\u2019s numbers is that he had a Whiff% over 40% on both the changeup and slider. Unsurprisingly, given those numbers, his overall Whiff% (29.7%) ranked above the league median despite the fastball getting hit.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In return, the Rockies received infielder <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/register\/player.fcgi?id=rumfie000tj-&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=newbaseballmedia.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-01-28_br\">T.J. Rumfield<\/a>. Rumfield has been with the Yankees organization since November 2021, when New York (AL) acquired him from the Phillies as part of the deal that sent <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/n\/nelsoni01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=newbaseballmedia.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-01-28_br\">Nick Nelson<\/a> and <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/s\/sandsdo01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=newbaseballmedia.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-01-28_br\">Donny Sands<\/a> to Philadelphia.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The 25-year-old Rumfield had some interesting years in the Minors, highlighted by a 17-home run campaign in 2023 between High-A and Double-A across 82 contests. This past season, Rumfield slashed .285\/.378\/.447 with 16 home runs and 48 extra-base hits across 138 contests with Scranton.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rumfield isn\u2019t a high power (6.3% Barrel%) guy, even though one could argue that an average power hitter can do well in Coors Field. On the other hand, low Whiff% (21.5%), and slightly below-average tendency to chase (27.9% Chase%) down in Triple-A.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Still, he walked a lot of times. Rumfield received 70 free passes in 2025.<\/p>\n<p>Colorado acquired Julien &amp; Ohl<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Three years ago, <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/j\/julieed01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=newbaseballmedia.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-01-28_br\">Edouard Julien<\/a> was a <a href=\"https:\/\/newbaseballmedia.com\/what-to-expect-from-twins-infielder-edouard-julien\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">high-rising name<\/a> in the Twins\u2019 organization. A power-hitting second baseman with power and ability to work counts &amp; get on base, Julien looked to be a key part of Minnesota\u2019s future. That didn\u2019t turn out to be the case.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sure, Julien had his moments. The now-26-year-old hit 16 home runs in his rookie season three years ago. However, Julien had trouble at second base defensively. And despite a good eye at the plate, Julien had difficulties with breaking balls and offspeed. Over the last two seasons, Julien bounced around between the Majors and Triple-A.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Julien\u2019s eye (17.1% Chase%) remains his biggest asset. On the other hand, he doesn\u2019t possess elite bat speed and tops off on pitchers with regularity, in addition to the aforementioned swing-and-miss troubles.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Rockies also received pitcher <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/o\/ohlpi01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=newbaseballmedia.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-01-28_br\">Pierson Ohl<\/a>. Ohl was a swing-and-miss machine in Double-A last season and ultimately made his MLB debut later in the year. The 26-year-old struck out 27 over 30 innings for the Twins at the MLB level.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Low-90s fastball, along with a low-80s changeup with high separation off the fastball, plus a cutter and curveball.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Twins received pitcher <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/register\/player.fcgi?id=kamins000jac&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=newbaseballmedia.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-01-28_br\">Jace Kaminska<\/a>, a 10th-round pick by Colorado out of the University of Nebraska. Kaminska, who did not pitch last year, struck out 104 batters over 87.1 IP.<\/p>\n<p>Analysis<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The new regime is shaking up things in Colorado. And aside from those moves, the Rockies also designated former top prospect <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/f\/fernaya01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=newbaseballmedia.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-01-28_br\">Yanquiel Fernandez<\/a> for assignment. Fernandez was an <a href=\"https:\/\/newbaseballmedia.com\/what-to-expect-from-rockies-outfielder-yanquiel-fernandez\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">intriguing power hitter<\/a> in the Minors but limited thanks to extremely high chase and defensive limitations.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At the very least, the Rockies are getting players that fit the analytical mantra that\u2019ll likely be in place with Paul DePodesta running the show. Two high OBP players who can hit for power, and potentially, fit in Coors Field.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Switching briefly to the Yankees for a second, though, New York didn\u2019t give up much to get Chivilli, a project pitcher heading into 2026. That\u2019s not to say Rumfield won\u2019t be useful. However, with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/r\/ricebe01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=newbaseballmedia.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-01-28_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Ben Rice<\/a> around, Rumfield didn\u2019t have an opening in the Yankees\u2019 infield.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Given that, presently, the Rockies\u2019 likely option at first base was going to be <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/c\/crimbl01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=newbaseballmedia.com&amp;utm_campaign=2026-01-28_br\">Blaine Crim<\/a> heading into the spring, that does change somewhat. But, the same could also go for Edouardo Julien, who can play first and second.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Julien is out of options heading into 2026. So, Minnesota had to make a move on him before Opening Day anyway.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Check out more of our\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/newbaseballmedia.com\/category\/mlb\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">MLB<\/a>\u00a0coverage.<\/p>\n<p>Like this:<\/p>\n<p>Like Loading\u2026<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"sd-link-color\"\/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Rockies have been busier this winter, or at least more active than past offseasons. On January 28,&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":526972,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2405],"tags":[11477,5,167,52,4316,71812,47236,4,168,148,142],"class_list":{"0":"post-543648","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-colorado-rockies","8":"tag-angel-chivilli","9":"tag-baseball","10":"tag-colorado","11":"tag-colorado-rockies","12":"tag-coloradorockies","13":"tag-eduoard-julien","14":"tag-frontpagenews","15":"tag-mlb","16":"tag-rockies","17":"tag-twins","18":"tag-yankees"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@mlb\/115976976287263129","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/543648","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=543648"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/543648\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/526972"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=543648"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=543648"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=543648"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}