SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — After a 91-loss season, some of the Rockies’ most-respected and highest-paid veterans looked in the mirror and decided they needed to change their leadership style.
Nothing dramatic, mind you. No Vince Lombardi rah-rah stuff. But third baseman Nolan Arenado and outfielders Charlie Blackmond and Ian Desmond took a second look at how they interact with teammates.
Desmond, 34, who’s entering the fourth year of his five-year, $70 million contract, was candid about his evolving role with the team, which this season projects to him sharing left-field duties with Raimel Tapia.