The Rockies’ offseason roster shuffle began Friday when versatile outfielder Jake Cave and right-handed pitchers Dakota Hudson and Peter Lambert opted for free agency after being outrighted to Triple-A Albuquerque. All three players were on the Rockies’ opening-day roster.
Cave becoming a free agent opens the door for Sam Hilliard to compete for a roster spot in spring training as Colorado’s fourth outfielder. Hilliard slashed .239/.305/.507 with 10 homers and 27 homers in 58 games.
Cave, 31, who was acquired from Philadelphia for cash considerations late in spring training, became a fan favorite because of his hustle and energetic style. He slashed .251/.290/.396 with seven home runs and 37 RBIs in a career-high 123 games.
Hudson, 30, who chose to come to Colorado as a free agent for 2024, struggled as a member of the rotation and was slowed by injuries later in the season. He signed for a relatively low $1.5 million but posted a 2-12 record with a 6.17 ERA over 18 starts. His 12.4% walk rate was not only above the league average but also above his 12.1% strikeout rate.
Lambert split his time between Triple-A Albuquerque and the Rockies, who used him as a spot starter and a long reliever. Lambert, 27, was a second-round pick in 2015 but has struggled to regain his form after undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2020. He was finally healthy in 2023 but posted a 5.51 ERA over 148 2/3 big-league innings over the past two seasons.
The moves leave the Rockies with 38 players on their 40-man Major League roster, not including right-handed starter German Marquez, who’s on the 60-day injured list.
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