NFL Free Agency opens up on Wednesday, with the legal tampering period beginning on Monday. The top free agents usually all commit to a team during that period, so be ready to rock and roll to start next week.
Denver, CO
Rockies bullpen gives up six runs in ninth in 8-4 loss to Phillies
The Rockies have turned heartbreak into an art form.
For the umpteenth time this season, a late-inning rally against their undependable bullpen cost the Rockies a victory on Saturday night.
The Phillies won 8-4, scoring six runs in the ninth off relievers Jalen Beeks, Justin Lawrence and John Curtiss. The Coors Field crowd of 37,535 fans, many clad in Philly red, held a party.
“It’s frustration right now,” said Lawrence, who blew his third save and is carrying a 5.91 ERA. “It feels like a couple of times now that we have spoiled some really, really good starts by our guys. They have had some incredible stretches lately.
“I’ve been real big on trying to make those relief innings just kind of boring. Got out there and execute. But the (Phillies) are a good team and they have some really good hitters. YOu have to be able to execute against one of the best teams in the league, and I didn’t do that to the best of my ability tonight.”
Colorado’s loss was compounded by the loss of rookie outfielder Jordan Beck, who broke his hand while making a diving catch in the first inning.
In the ninth inning, Beeks committed a cardinal sin by walking leadoff hitter Brandon Marsh. Enter Lawrence, who promptly gave up an opposite-field RBI triple to right by Edmundo Sosa, tying the game, 3-3. Garrett Stubbs’ single through the right side scored Sosa for the go-ahead run.
Regarding Sosa’s triple, Lawrence said: “I threw that pitch with conviction, and it was one pitch that I executed. We wanted to go fastball in there, and he turned it inside out the other way. He’s hitting (.333) for a reason. He’s a great hitter.”
It got worse for the Rockies’ ‘pen. Much worse.
Curtiss relieved Lawrence and gave up a three-run homer to Bryce Harper, who sliced his 13th homer of the season just inside the left-field foul pole. The Phillies fans of LoDo serenaded Harper with chants of “MVP! MVP!”
A double by Alec Bohm and an RBI single by Nick Castellanos put a bow on Philly’s comeback.
Colorado scored a run in the bottom of the ninth on Charlie Blackmon’s RBI double, his 600th career extra-base hit, breaking a tie with Larry Walker for the second-most in franchise history behind Todd Helton (998).
“There is frustration when you lose a game, depending on how you lose it,” manager Bud Black said. “Whether it’s starting pitching, whether it’s lack of offense, whether it’s not hitting in the clutch, whether it’s poor defense … Right now, the bullpen has been very variable. So it is frustrating.”
The painful part for the Rockies, who are now 17-34 and on pace to lose 108 games, is that they are wasting excellent starting pitching.
Behind a solid start from Dakota Hudson, the Rockies looked primed to beat the powerful Phillies for the second night in a row.
Hudson, who’s been the weak link in the rotation chain, pitched a fine game. He held the Phillies to two runs on five hits over six innings. The right-hander has been walk-prone, but he issued just one free pass and fanned two.
“I was mixing a little bit over everything,” Hudson said. “I could have been a little bit better with my glove-side heater, but I felt really good about the changeup.”
Over the last five games, the Rockies have five quality starts and a sparkling 1.93 ERA. Since May 1 (22 games), they have a 3.80 ERA with 12 quality starts. All of that after an April in which Colorado starters posted a 5.81 ERA with just seven quality starts.
“I have always believed that starting pitching is the backbone of a team’s success,” Black said. “We have had a nice run of starts. I’m proud of the guys. In a lot of ways, they are very unheralded … but I’m proud of them and they way they are throwing the ball.”
Hudson’s night started out a bit rough. Kyle Schwarber led off with a solid single up the middle and scored on Harper’s line-drive single to right.
But Hudson regrouped and held Philly scoreless until the fifth. Stubbs led off with a single, advanced to second on Johan Rojas’ groundout, and then took third on a delayed steal when he caught the Rockies napping. Stubbs scored on Kyle Schwarber’s sacrifice fly to center, cutting Colorado’s lead to 3-2.
The Rockies manufactured single runs in the first, second and third innings against Phillies starter Aaron Nola. Until the ninth inning, it was all the offense the Rockies needed.
Back-to-back, two-out walks by Ryan McMahon and Kris Bryant set the table for Brendan Rodgers’ RBI single in the first. In the second, Brenton Doyle led off with an infield single, stole second, and took third on Jacob Stallings’ single. Doyle scored on Hunter Goodman’s groundout to give Colorado a 2-1 lead.
Ezequiel Tovar converted his leadoff single into a 3-1 lead in the third. Marsh’s error allowed Tovar to scoot to second, and Tovar took third on Ryan McMahon’s groundout. Tovar scored on Bryant’s hard groundout that caromed off Nola.
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Denver, CO
Ranking the Broncos free agent needs on offense
I figured now would be a good time to do a little discussion around the Denver Broncos and where we think their top priorities should be on offense when free agency kicks off.
Broncos top FA needs on offense
Tim Lynch: For free agency, I’d say running back and tight end are the highest on my wish list.
I’d say pay big for a top free agent running back and ensure you have a monster two-headed backfield next season. They need a superior run-blocking tight end and, if they move on from Evan Engram, a pass-catcher too.
Christopher Hart: I agree with Tim. Those are the biggest needs for the offense. Getting a top-notch running back and a tight end capable of playing inline to replace Adam Trautman is a must. The two players I advocated a few weeks ago were running back Travis Etienne and tight end Cade Otton. Both would be fantastic additions and help take Denver’s offense to the next level in 2026.
Scotty Payne: Playmaker is the top and biggest need. That includes a RB, TE, and/or WR in that order.
Need to improve the run game regardless, need some sort of production out of the TEs as well as improved blocking, and if they can get a true WR1, that would be great too.
Ross Allen: I think we’re all in agreement.
Getting someone who can be the dominant running back and have RJ Harvey serve that glamorous “joker” role would be huge for this offense. And given that they also don’t have a legitimate playmaker at the receiving position hurts them. A TE or WR can fill that role.
Sadaraine: The #1 need for the Broncos on offense is a top-notch running back. I will be blown away if the Broncos don’t sign a top-tier free agent running back to upgrade the offense (and no, J.K. Dobbins wouldn’t be that guy…not with his injury history).
There’s a significant gap in need after that until we start talking about tight ends and receivers. I think we’re more likely to see more money spent on a tight end than a receiver, but this offense could use both to be sure.
Ian St. Clair: Not to beat a dead horse, but running back is the biggest need and priority for this team when free agency starts. Having a consistent and effective running game will make Nix and the offense exponentially better. It will make the team better. After running back, the Broncos need to figure out their tight end.
Adam Malnati: Give Bo a weapon. I don’t care which position. Yes, RB is a need. Yes, TE is a need (thanks a lot Evan Engram). Still, a weapon would be nice.
Predictably, we’re all heavily keyed in on running back and tight end. That was a big part of our free agent profile coverage too and for good reason. There have been many rumors around Denver looking to target both positions next week and where there is smoke there is usually fire.
The question really becomes: go big or go affordable? With the championship window open, I’m leaning go big on premium play-maker positions this offseason.
Where do you stand on this discussion? Give us your top free agent needs on offense and how you hope the Broncos address them next week.
Denver, CO
Denver area events for March 5
Denver, CO
Report: Broncos expected to ‘make a splash’ at running back
The Denver Broncos are in the market for a running back.
Just two days after NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Denver wants to have the running back position addressed before the draft, Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports reported that the Broncos are “poised to make a splash” at running back during NFL free agency.
“Denver is the reason why the Jets used the franchise tag on Breece Hall rather than the transition tag, according to sources, making sure Denver wouldn’t get the opportunity to put together an offer the Jets would refuse to match,” Jones wrote for CBS Sports.
Jones said the Broncos would be an obvious potential landing spot for Kenneth Walker, and he noted that Travis Etienne could be a cheaper alternative. The Athletic’s Nick Kosmider also reported this week that Denver is expected to “closely examine” the RB market, and he name-dropped Walker, Etienne and Rico Dowdle.
The Broncos also have an in-house free agent at RB in J.K. Dobbins, who has expressed his desire to remain in Denver. The Broncos can begin negotiating with pending free agents from other clubs on March 9, but no deals can become official until the new league year begins on March 11. In-house free agents can be re-signed at any time.
Social: Follow Broncos Wire on Facebook and Twitter/X! Did you know: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.
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