Rockies get former CY Young Award candidate in rival’s blockbuster trade

The Colorado Rockies just made a great move, taking a low-risk chance on a pitcher who has proved to be pretty good in the past.

On Friday, Colorado acquired Dinelson Lamet off of waivers from Milwaukee. The right-handed pitcher was sent to the Brewers earlier this week in the blockbuster closer swap between Milwaukee and San Diego that sent Colorado kid All-Star Taylor Rogers to Wisconsin for four-time All-Star Josh Hader. Lamet was then waived by the Brew Crew and the Rockies claimed him.

Lamet debuted as a starter in the majors in 2017, then missed the 2018 season. The 2020 season was his finest, going 3-1 with a 2.09 in 12 starts during the pandemic-shortened year. In 2021, some struggles sent “El Flaco” to the bullpen, where he has stayed and struggled.

Lamet has a 9.49 ERA in 13 outings as a reliever this season. But at only 30 years old and not too experienced coming out of the bullpen, Lamet could figure things out.

He’ll be a free agent after next season, which gives the Rockies a window of possibly having Lamet, Tyler Kinley and Daniel Bard out of the bullpen next season.

In 315 innings of career work, he’s been a better-than-league-average pitcher, and if he can recapture the highs, the Rockies have found a diamond in the rough. That 2020 season earned him fourth in National League Cy Young voting, behind stars Trevor Bauer, Yu Darvish and Jacob deGrom. If Lamet doesn’t work out, no harm is done since the Rockies are already 25 games back in the division.

Claiming Dinelson Lamet is possibly the best Rockies move this year. It's a legitimately good idea, though it may not be the best for Lamet.

— Dan Szymborski (@DSzymborski) August 5, 2022

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