Rockies Prepare To Shuffle Infield Alignment After Injury

The shoulder surgery that could end second baseman Brendan Rogers' season is causing the Colorado Rockies to re-think their infield alignment. And it'll likely end up costing them Gold Glove caliber fielding at not one, but two positions.

According to Rockies GM Bill Schmidt, they'll likely be moving starting third baseman Ryan McMahon back to second base.

Talked to Rockies GM Bill Schmidt about plans after losing GG 2b Brendan Rogers (shoulder) possibly for the season. Said likely will move 3b Ryan McMahon to 2b. Look at Nolan Jones/Elehuris Montero at 3b, mainly keep Kris Bryant in the OF. Did not completely rule out trade.

— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) March 3, 2023

Losing the Gold Glover Rogers will hurt the infield defense, as he led all MLB second basemen last season in Defensive Runs Saved, with 22. And McMahon was a Gold Glove finalist at third as well. 

But McMahon is no stranger to 2B, having played his first full season in Colorado (2019) at the position. In fact, in his six seasons in the big leagues, he's played second base 222 times, to 314 at third. 

So who's on third? One potential candidate could have been Kris Bryant. The Rockies signed him as an outfielder essentially, but the hot corner was his position for his first six seasons in the majors; he earned an MVP and three All-Star selections as a 3B. But the Rockies are determined to keep him in the outfield to try and protect him from injury. And Bryant himself isn't too keen on the idea. "They haven't talked to me about that, and honestly that would be a pretty tough thing to do. Maybe if I'd spent a whole offseason getting back into it ..."

Bryant missed most of his debut season with the Rockies last year with physical concerns. 

Schmidt said that they'll look at former top prospects Nolan Jones and Elehuris Montero for third base, though he didn't rule out a trade. 

 Photo: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports