DENVER -- The lesson of last year's return to the postseason was the same as every successful season in Rockies history: A strong bullpen makes the difference. When Spring Training begins next month, the Rockies will arrive having invested big in their relief staff.
It took a three-year guarantee worth $52 million to land free-agent closer Wade Davis, who replaces Greg Holland -- whose work, especially in the first half, helped the Rockies build numbers in the "W" column. Colorado also added lefty Jake McGee and righty Bryan Shaw to three-year, $27 million contracts, and righty Adam Ottavino and lefty Mike Dunn will be making $7 million apiece.