MEDIA CLIPS – Nov. 28, 2018 Desmond eyes more production in 2019 Thomas Harding | MLB.com | Nov. 27th, 2018 DENVER -- Ian Desmond spent the 2018 season hanging onto the number that mattered -- the one in the Rockies' win column. Many of the other numbers weren't kind to him. After a difficult and injury-filled 2017 season, which began his five-year contract worth $70 million, Desmond was healthy enough for 160 games in '18. But he batted .236 and wasn't treated kindly by the Wins Above Replacement stat -- minus- 0.7, per FanGraphs, and minus-0.6, per Baseball-Reference. As a comparison, Desmond averaged 2.2 and 2.1 WAR, respectively, over his seven full seasons before signing with Colorado. But with consistent production absent, Desmond at times fulfilled the Rockies' contention that he is a winning player. His 22 home runs, 20 stolen bases, 82 runs and 88 RBIs in 2018 are stats many players would love, and the Rockies will tell you he had a knack for the right, heady play during the team's second-half run. Hey, it all made him one of baseball's most interesting figures on Twitter; many games began with vitriolic reaction to him being in the lineup, and more than a handful ended with an apology after a late home run. Often fans familiar with his community involvement and interaction jumped to his defense. "The one thing I can say, I feel like no matter what the situation was, no matter what the numbers said, I feel like I came out and tried to do something to help the team win," Desmond said while clearing out of Coors Field after the Rockies were eliminated from the National League Division Series by the Brewers. "For me, it's hard to say that I can rest easy. It's 1 definitely not a rest-easy situation. I know I have work to do, but as long as I feel I can put myself out there, trying, that's really all I can do." As fans await the team's actions this offseason, Desmond doubles as a flexible part for the Rockies, and a gift that keeps on fueling some timelines. Over the next three seasons, Desmond is guaranteed $40 million (including a $2 million buyout on a $15 million 2022 option), plus a $1 million payment if traded. "I don't really care, to be honest," he said. "My job is to care about the people in this room, to try to help win ballgames. I don't care about money. I've never played for the money. It's not my incentive to do the job that I love to do. I just love to play baseball." Desmond has played first base and left field extensively, and center field and shortstop on occasion, in two years in a Rockies uniform. It means he can shift to accommodate whatever offseason moves the club makes. Two longtime regulars, right fielder Carlos Gonzalez and second baseman DJ LeMahieu, are free agents, plus many of the young players with feet in the Major League door can play multiple positions. "It's been part of it since he came here -- his athleticism and his ability to play different positions," Rockies general manager Jeff Bridich said. "We'll talk to Desi about it. It's nice to have that ability to be flexible, especially now. It allows you to have an open mind, be creative about how to best put together a team." Of course, when the Rockies signed him, they envisioned big offensive production as well. A broken left hand suffered in Spring Training and recurring right calf strains during the season limited Desmond to 95 games in 2017. Last season, an adjustment of lowering his hands while in his stance went out the window when his average dipped into the .150s in late April. The stats show Desmond needs to improve against the outside fastball, and work ahead in the count According to Inside Edge, Desmond's 81 percent ground-ball rate on fastballs away over the last two seasons was highest among hitters with at least 484 plate appearances. And his 2018 line-drive rate of 5.6 percent on fastballs away was the 2 lowest in the Majors. But when ahead in the count, his 12 homers in 109 plate appearances were a third-in-MLB 7.6 percent, and his 17 extra-base hits in 29 total hits while ahead in the count gave Desmond a ninth-best 58.6 percent. "I'm 33 years old and I'm still hungry to be the best player I can be," Desmond said. "I've just got to keep trying. Some years, the adjustments I have made in the offseason have worked out phenomenally. Some years, I've gotten off to a slow start and haven't regrouped. This was one of those years. "I'll get back to the drawing board at some point and try to make myself the best player I can be in 2019." 3 Patterson claimed off waivers by Mets Thomas Harding | MLB.com | Nov. 26th, 2018 DENVER -- Left-handed-hitting outfielder/first baseman Jordan Patterson, who hit .367 with 26 home runs at Triple- Albuquerque, was claimed off waivers by the Mets on Monday. Patterson, 26, was designated for assignment on Tuesday as the Rockies set their 40-man roster. He appeared in 10 games with Colorado in 2016, going 8-for-18 (.444) with two RBIs, but Patterson has not appeared in a Major League game since as the Rockies were crowded in the outfield corners and decided to usher Ryan McMahon into the Majors at first base in a timeshare with Ian Desmond. Over the past two seasons, Patterson, a fourth-round pick in the 2013 MLB Draft, has shown power numbers that could mean opportunity if it translates to Major League play. He has 52 home runs and 55 doubles over his past two Triple-A seasons. 4 Rockies still quiet as MLB’s hot stove season begins to heat up Colorado has not talked to free agents Adam Ottavino or DJ LeMahieu Patrick Saunders | DenverPost.com | Nov. 27, 2018 The Hot Stove season is just now beginning to percolate, but between now and Christmas, expect news to start boiling. Whether the Rockies make a major splash remains to be seen. Thus far, the biggest news has been made by the Braves, who inked veteran third baseman — and former American League MVP — Josh Donaldson to a one-year, $23 million deal, and also signed veteran catcher Brian McCann to a one- year, $2 million deal. Meanwhile, the rumor mill is shifting into a higher gear. Outfielder Bryce Harper and Manny Machado are dominating the headlines, with Philadelphia poised to make a big strike. As for the Rockies, they have stayed out of the headlines, which is exactly the way general manager Jeff Bridich likes it. What we do know is that Bridich’s No. 1 goal this offseason is adding a quality bat to beef up what was a disappointing offense in 2018. “We’ll likely be a little more focused on our offense this season,” Bridich said earlier this month. “A lot remains to be seen and learned at the GM meetings, and at the winter meetings (Dec. 10-13 in Las Vegas). There’s a lot of conversations still to be had and more information to be gleaned before a real, true course for our offseason is determined.” The Rockies are among at least 14 teams linked to Marwin Gonzalez, the free-agent, super-utility player who helped the Astros win the 2017 World Series. Over his last two seasons, Gonzalez has operated as a multi-purpose starter, with at least 15 starts at five positions — left field, shortstop (his natural spot), second, first and third base. During the GM meetings this month, Bridich was non-committal about Colorado’s possible pursuit of Gonzalez, or other multi-dimensional players. 5 “We’ve got some guys we can move around, so it’s nice to have that on the team already,” Bridich told MLB.com. “With the way that we’re built in the National League, 13 pitchers, it’s always part of our thought process. I’m not sure how much necessarily we will have that lead the day for us with free agency or trades, but it’s always part of our thought process.” A number of teams, including Colorado, have been mentioned as a potential trade partner with the Marlins for catcher J.T. Realmuto. The 2018 all-star, considered the best young catcher in the game, is 27 and under club control for the next two seasons. Rumors around him have swirled since agent Jeff Berry said Realmuto won’t be signed to a long-term deal, and he “definitely” will be traded. Bridich has given no indication that the Rockies will try to land Realmuto. Indeed when asked about Realmuto, Bridich steered the conversation to how Rockies catchers performed in 2018. “They were at times really good for us defensively and streaky offensively — at times they struggled as a group,” Bridich said. “We like different elements of what each guy brings. When you put together two or three catchers at a time on your 25-man roster, you’re looking for what they can do as a group, a combination — maybe even more so than any other position on the field. “The defensive elements of what they bring are really important, and that’s not lost on us.