The Rockies are in agreement with Kyle Farmer on a one-year deal with an option, reports Jon Heyman of the New York Post (X link). Robert Murray of FanSided first reported (on X) the sides were nearing an agreement. Financial terms remain unreported. Farmer is a Beverly Hills Sports Council client.
Farmer returns to the NL West, where he began his career as a member of the Dodgers. It wasn’t until Los Angeles dealt him to the Reds that he emerged as a significant contributor. Farmer played regularly as a multi-positional infielder with Cincinnati between 2021-22. He combined for 30 homers with nearly league average offense over that stretch. The Reds dealt him to the Twins over the 2022-23 offseason.
Over two seasons in Minnesota, Farmer hit .240/.308/.387 across 611 plate appearances. The bulk of that production was concentrated in year one. Farmer had a solid .256/.317/.408 showing with 11 homers and 14 doubles in 2023. His offense dropped off this past season, as he slumped to a .214/.293/.353 slash with only five longballs over 242 trips to the plate. A shoulder strain shelved him between the middle of July and the second week of August. The Twins made the easy call to pass on their end of a $6.25MM mutual option coming off that down year.
The Rockies will hope for a rebound as Farmer enters his age-34 season. He has primarily played on the left side of the infield in his career. He has more than 2000 innings at shortstop and just over 1000 frames at the hot corner. The Rox have Ezequiel Tovar locked in at shortstop and Ryan McMahon at third base. Farmer, a right-handed hitter with a career .283/.344/.468 batting line against lefty pitching, could spell McMahon against southpaws. He should get the bulk of his work at second base, where he has played around 800 career innings.
Colorado non-tendered Brendan Rodgers tonight, leaving second base wide open. The long-term hope is that prospect Adael Amador will take the job, but he’s coming off an unspectacular season in Double-A. Amador turns 22 in April, so there’s plenty of time for development. He’ll likely start the season in Triple-A Albuquerque. Farmer can serve as a stopgap with the versatility to move into a utility role if Amador plays his way into a job in the second half.
It’s the second free agent move for the Rockies, who also brought back Jacob Stallings on a one-year guarantee this week. As with Stallings, Farmer is a veteran with a strong clubhouse reputation who could serve a leadership role for a rebuilding team.
A 34 year old with little to no upside.
Checks out for Colorado.
Kyle Farmer had a superior road OPS to Brendan Rogers over the past two years. Neither of them is a starter on a good team. But Colorado is not a good team if Farmer is cheaper, the Rockies have lost nothing and hopefully Farmer will just be a backup.
It’s funny people are critical of this signing. Farmer won’t be the make or break for them contending.
He also has been just a but over replacement for pretty much entire career til barely dipping below last season. Which could easily change if he gets more consistent playing time. Then the bump he ll get from Coors.
Not exciting by any means but their current state relative to their division, this is type of player they should be signing. Maybe he has good first half and will have trade value to a contender for a utility role.
Having a good first half in Colorado just means you’ll have a lousy second half in COLORADO
Whatever you want to believe up there on your little hill….
Just non tendered Quantrill and Rodgers. Now sign this guy.
So get rid of the 28 year old relatively inexpensive second baseman and replace him with a 34 year old journeyman. Way to embrace the youth movement.
Frustrating, man. I’m sure Farmer is going to cost less than the $5.5M Rodgers would earn through arb.
Brendan Rogers’ OPS+ in 2024 – 94
Kyle Farmer’s OPS+ in 2024 – 82
Rockies, man, gotta love em.
Cheaper replacement for Rodgers who can hold down 2B while Amador gets more seasoning in AAA. Can become a utility guy if Amador bangs down the door and gets promoted for good at some point in the season. I don’t mind saving a few million that way in what will be a last place season anyway.
Farmer is a versatile player and great guy to have on a team. He should hit well in that park
We’ll Kyle, enjoy hitting a few additional homeruns. Might be able to beat your career high of 16.
Go get em farm dog!
Kyle Farmer. Kevin Newman. Kyle Farmer. Kevin Newman. For some reason I get these two guys confused with each other: now I’m not saying all white dudes 30s-ish utility infielders with mid power all look the same or anything…
This is the type of acquisition that the Rockies will be making until they’re free from the Arenado- departure and Bryant financial debacles.