The Colorado Rockies are looking at an intriguing option at second base to replace recently non-tendered second baseman Brendan Rodgers. Per MLB insider Thomas Harding, the Rockies have shown interest in free-agent second baseman Thairo Estrada. Estrada is a six-year veteran who has spent the past four seasons with the San Francisco Giants. The Rockies are looking for a veteran stopgap in 2025, as second baseman Adael Amador, who made his debut in 2024, is the future at the position.
The #Rockies are in the market for a second baseman, and one name to watch, according to a source is Thairo Estrada, who had productive seasons in 2022-23 before battling injuries during a tough 2024 with the #SFGiants.
— Thomas Harding (@harding_at_mlb) December 6, 2024
The Rockies signed former Minnesota Twins infielder Kyle Farmer shortly after releasing Rodgers but are still looking for more veteran help. Farmer signed a one-year deal worth $3.25 million guaranteed with Colorado. Estrada could be available for a similar deal. The Rockies have also re-signed catcher Jacob Stallings to a short-term deal this offseason with an option for 2026.
Rumor: Rockies Interested in Signing Thairo Estrada
Estrada had an injury-plagued 2024 due to various injuries, including his hamstring and wrist. The injuries ultimately led to him playing in only 96 games. He hit .217/.247/.343 with nine homers and 47 RBI. However, 2023 was the best season of Estrada’s career, as he finished with a career-high 2.3 WAR. In 120 games, he hit .271/.315/.416 with 14 home runs and 49 RBI. He would be an intriguing option for the Rockies at the keystone position.
The Rockies front office is perhaps intrigued by the potential for Estrada’s offense to flourish in Colorado. He would be going to arguably the best hitter’s park in the majors after spending the last four seasons at a notorious pitcher-friendly park in San Francisco. In 47 home games in 2024, he hit .214/.221/.309 with three home runs and 18 RBI in 178 at-bats. In 49 road games, he hit .220/.270/.376 with six home runs and 29 RBI in 186 at-bats. Based on his home-road splits, a more hitter-friendly environment could do wonders for Estrada’s offensive game.
Estrada also offers some speed that the Rockies did not see at the position under Rodgers. In his career, Rodgers has one stolen base. Comparatively, Estrada has 52 career steals, including a career-high 23 bags in 2023. The Rockies front office has emphasized getting a faster lineup in Colorado to help produce more runs. Estrada would help the Rockies get closer to achieving that goal.
He also would effectively replace the Gold-Glove defender in Rodgers. Estrada finished with nine outs above average in 2024 per Statcast, which was in the 94th percentile of Major League Baseball. He has a career fielding percentage of .985 and can play all over the diamond, but mainly at shortstop and second base. At age 28, Estrada still has plenty of time to reach his potential and is an intriguing option for the Rockies as a replacement for Rodgers.
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