Holland gets Rockies' only qualifying offer

Colorado expected to pursue closer on FA market, along with CarGo, Lucroy, others

November 7th, 2017

DENVER -- Closer Greg Holland was the only free agent to receive a qualifying offer from the Rockies.
Holland has until Nov. 16 to accept or decline the offer, which would be a $17.4 million contract for 2018. He is expected to decline, though the Rockies are likely to pursue him as a free agent. Holland turned down a $15 million player option, and should have multiple suitors.
If Holland signs with another club, the Rockies would receive an additional pick in the 2018 MLB Draft.
Qualifying offers explained
None of the club's eight other free agents received a qualifying offer, but the club can still negotiate with them. The biggest question leading up to the deadline was whether the Rockies would extend a qualifying offer to right-field fixture , whose final numbers were down considerably in 2017 -- .262, 14 home runs, 57 RBIs -- from his three-time All-Star form. Gonzalez, who has been with the club since 2009, finished strong as the Rockies made the postseason for the first time since 2009.
The Rockies have many options in right field, including the possibility of re-signing Gonzalez. They also could pursue a free-agent outfielder or turn to homegrown players. Lefty-hitting hit .315 with seven homers and 24 RBIs in 63 games as a rookie in 2016 but didn't appear in the Majors in 2017 due to a rib injury that led to a back problem. Meanwhile, , who also bats left-handed, is also an option. He hit .288 with two homers and 16 RBIs in 70 games as a rookie in '17.
Hot Stove Tracker
Catcher is another player they're expected to try to get back. After joining the Rockies at the non-waiver Trade Deadline, Lucroy hit .310 with two homers, 13 RBIs and 11 extra-base hits in 46 games.
Meanwhile, right-handed starting pitcher , righty reliever Pat Neshek, lefty reliever Jake McGee, catcher , first baseman and infielder became free agents.