The 2026 season is rapidly approaching. Pitchers and catchers will soon report in about six weeks, and Paul DePodesta and company will have to start putting words into practice. The offseason has focused on building out the coaching staff and front office, leaving the big league roster fairly untouched. The only guaranteed big league addition is that of reliever Brennan Bernardino. The team has picked up various depth pieces on minor league deals but major league free agents have followed the same
pattern as in years past.
DePodesta has claimed recently that there are players who have reached out to the Rockies with a desire to come play here and that the team feels it is in a position to finally start making some offers, but until we start to see some action, we are left to speculate what it is they might actually do. First base seems to be the primary area of need since Blaine Crim is the presumed incumbent and waiver claim Troy Johnston will have a chance to compete. I’ve already covered the prospects of signing Paul Goldschmidt and Luis Arraez, but who else could the Rockies turn to?
Carlos Santana
There was a time back in the day that the Rockies had been connected to switch-hitting slugger Carlos Santana. Nothing ever materialized nearly 10 years ago, but perhaps they could take a risk on the now 40-year-old. Spending 124 games with the Cleveland Guardians and Chicago Cubs last season, Santana slashed .219/.308/.325 with 11 home runs and posting a 1.1 rWAR.
Santana’s bat has always left something to be desired in some areas, but he is an experienced player that would be a helpful veteran influence on some of the younger guys. He managed 23 home runs in each of the 2023 and 2024 seasons and has always displayed keen plate discipline. His 19.2% strikeout rate last season was the second highest of his career while also posting an 11% walk rate. Not to mention, he’s gotten better defensively as he has aged, posting 32 Defensive Runs Saved over the last three seasons and snagging his first Gold Glove in 2024.
If the Rockies want a veteran who has been fairly consistent over his 16-year career, well, Santana might just fit the bill.
Nathaniel Lowe
Since debuting with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2019, Nathaniel Lowe has become one of the more consistent, albeit overlooked, first baseman in the league. After taking on a regular role with the Texas Rangers in 2021, Lowe enjoyed quite a bit of success in Texas as he displayed quite a bit of power while managing to hit for a decent average. In 2025, Lowe spent most of the year with the Washington Nationals before spending the last month with the Boston Red Sox.
Lowe finished the year with 18 home runs and slashed .228/.307/.381, though a .280 AVG in Boston did some heavy lifting to raise the batting average. He has managed a strikeout rate of 24% in his career, a couple ticks above league average, while also posting an 11% walk rate. Defensively, he’s been fine and does own a Gold Glove he won back in 2023. He would also give the Rockies a much-needed left-handed bat in an otherwise right-handed-heavy lineup.
He may cost a little bit more as a Super Two player, as he had already raised his salary over $10 million in 2025 and was projected to earn a little over $13 million in 2026. However, it’s within the realm of possibility that any team, including the Rockies, could hand him a bigger deal but with a lesser AAV.
Rhys Hoskins
Rhys Hoskins has certainly not been the same player since suffering an ACL injury after the 2022 season. Still, the former Phillies slugger made an impact in Milwaukee over the last two seasons, even if he did lose his starting job in 2025. After blasting 26 home runs in 2024, Hoskins regressed to 11 home runs in 90 games with 91 strikeouts against 38 walks.
His strikeout rate spiked to career-highs these last two seasons, while his batting average has taken a dip. There is still plenty of power for Hoskins, and a new hitter-friendly environment like Coors Field could help. His defense has never been particularly good at first base, but if he can get the bat rolling a little more consistently, then that more than makes up for the glove troubles.
Hoskins earned $18 million in 2025, and the Brewers declined his $18 million option for 2026. After a down year that also saw him deal with a thumb injury for most of the second half, Hoskins could be picked up on a much cheaper deal with the hope he can rebound a little bit.
Justin Turner
With all the new Dodgers connections in the front office, it’s only natural that Justin Turner could be a prospective free agent to bring into the fold. At 41 years old, Turner’s time as an everyday starter is likely behind him. In 2025, he spent the year with the Chicago Cubs, slashing .219/.288/.314 with three home runs over 80 games. He spent the majority of his time playing first base or appearing as a pinch hitter, hence just 191 plate appearances last season.
Now, from a veteran leadership standpoint, the Rockies would likely benefit from Turner’s experience. If the goal is to have players that can set a standard and example for what it takes to thrive in the big leagues, than Turner’s reputation more than checks the box on the list. However, he would most likely serve as a bench bat that can fill in at first base, third base on rare occasion, and the designated hitter. Still, a contract worth about $6 million wouldn’t be too bad a price for a player that can still contribute to an extent.
Dominic Smith
By far the cheapest option on this list, Dominic Smith has been an interesting player over his career. Despite showing hints of being a slugger or a player who could hit for a high average, he has struggled to establish himself in the league. After a promising start to his career with the New York Mets, Smith hasn’t quite caught on anywhere else, often becoming a reserve depth option.
2025 was one of his better seasons after he landed with the San Francisco Giants in June, having spent the year in the minors with the New York Yankees. In 63 games with the Giants, Smith slashed .284/.333/.417 with five home runs and 33 RBI. Strikeouts have always been an issue for him, and last season was no different as he punched out 42 times against 15 walks. It’s hard to gauge his plate discipline since he has mostly been a part-time player, but he does sit mostly around league average.
In reality, he could be a left-handed platoon bat that could be brought in for under $3 million.
Conclusion
There are plenty of other options we won’t get into, but the fact of the matter is the Rockies have no shortage of options they could turn to for 2026; it’s just a matter of how much they want to spend and how much impact they want that player to have.
Tovar sheds sweets while striving to bake up a big 2026 | MLB.com
Ezequiel Tovar had a rough year in 2025 because of injuries. He has been working hard this offseason to refine his physical make-up, including cutting out some bread and sweets from home.
Rockies Hit With Predictably Harsh 2025 Season Grade That’s Almost Laughable | Rockies on SI
To the surprise of no one, the Rockies were given an F- grade for the 2025 season from a writer at Bleacher Report.
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