Rockies near deal with versatile utilityman Kyle Farmer (source)
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The Rockies are closing in on a one-year deal with versatile utility player Kyle Farmer, a source told MLB.com's Mark Feinsand on Friday night. The club has not confirmed the move.
Farmer has been a valuable role player throughout his eight-season career. He doesn¡¯t have any flashy skills, but he has been a plus hitter against left-handed pitching and can play just about every spot on the infield.
The 34-year-old batted .262 with a .751 OPS in 118 plate appearances against left-handers last season with the Twins. By comparison, his average and OPS against right-handed pitching was .167 and .545, respectively. He owns a career .812 OPS against lefties, which is 163 points higher than his career OPS versus righties.
Defensively, Farmer logged double-digit appearances at second base, third base and shortstop in each of the past two seasons with Minnesota. Center field, right field and catcher are the only positions he hasn¡¯t played in an MLB game, but no matter where he¡¯s positioned, Farmer has usually provided serviceable defense. He compiled four outs above average last year and has 16 OAA in the Majors.
An Atlanta native, Farmer was an eighth-round Draft pick by the Dodgers in 2013. He debuted in 2017 and has produced a .250/.310/.391 slash line and an 87 OPS+ through 707 big league games split between the Dodgers, Reds and Twins.
The Rockies also made a series of moves ahead of Friday's non-tender deadline, declining to tender contracts to pitcher Cal Quantrill and infielder Brendan Rodgers. Farmer could prove to be a capable replacement for Rodgers.