The Rockies will carry long-lost MLB reliever Daniel Bard on their Opening Day roster, GM Jeff Bridich tells reporters including Nick Groke of The Athletic (Twitter links). He’ll have to be selected to the 40-man roster in order to be activated.
Also making the Rox were outfielder Matt Kemp and utilityman Chris Owings. They’ve had much more recent MLB activity than Bard, but are also looking for redemption after crashing out with other organizations.
Once an exciting young reliever, Bard ended up with irredeemable control problems after an attempted rotation conversion. His path back to the majors has been anything but straightforward. Remarkably, Bard’s last MLB pitch came more than seven years ago, in late April of 2013.
Bard’s tale is surely Shakespearean.
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Shirley you jest.
Don’t call me Shirley.
Chris Owings is horrible
Mr. Todd have you heard what velo Bard is topping out at? Wishing him luck as an old fan of his.
I love Bard’s story, and I am cheering for him all the way!
I hope he’s “that guy” who turns in the 0.00 ERA this season!!
and that’s your NL comeback player of the year right there
Very possible. If Johnny Venters did it..
Typical Rockies… it’s sad that they think they’re competitive. Bard’s story is great but Owings and Kemp do nothing but block the young kids from playing time. Monfort and Bridich at their finest
Monfort and Briddich… they have more, and better, info than I do but their track record just doesn’t inspire faith.
Agreed about Owings, but Kemp is worth a shot, especially with the DH. Last season was the first time he wasn’t at least league average since his rookie season in 2006. Also has an OPS over 1k in Colorado in 86 games.
Yeah, what are they thinking? Actually trying when some guy on the internet thinks they should just roll over for other teams that look better on paper.
Never mind the facts that this is largely the same group that made the playoffs 2 out of the last 3 years and was decimated by injuries to its starting rotation last year..
Opinions like that just turn me off about the future of the sport.
Well, they did at least unload Shaw and McGee.
Yay!!!! Daniel Bard!!!
Looks like the Rox are going to rely on a few comeback players. Good for all 3 but most of all, Bard.
Are the Rockies tanking the season before it starts. Does tanking even exist in Baseball??
it may this season, at least, with the low amount of games and no fans… i could see the pirates, random example, just pack it in before it begins. whether that constitutes tanking is up for debate…
No team should tank this season. In 60 games anything can happen. Three weeks of hot ball and close to 500 the rest of the way and you could find yourself in the playoffs. You get an outbreak on one of the top teams and they lose guys for 20% of the season and it opens the door for another team.
I’m really hoping this season can happen just for the craziness and urgency of every game.
Agreed. The only precaution I would issue is to abstain from trading the farm if you’re still clearly in rebuilding mode and off to an unsubstainably hot start. Otherwise, you might as well go for it. Remember: The Mariners started 13-2 last season, so anything’s possible
Matt Kemp. Boy, what a roller coaster career. Consistency could very possibly have put him in the Hall of Fame. As it is,…
I’m so happy for Daniel Bard. What a long, arduous and frustrating journey it has been for him. I really want to see him do well, although pitching home games in Colorado is a tough place for any pitcher to revive his career in. If he can come back as an above average reliever, he should win come back player of the year, or maybe come back player of the decade! Rockies fan or not, everyone should be pulling for this guy to succeed.
If Kemp or Bard do anything they could be dealt at the deadline
Pleased for Bard. I hope he does well.
Rockos got Kemp lmao