Adams, Bird, Nova & Rusin: More in the Tank
By Jack Etkin
Matt Adams is hoping to revive his career by slugging for the Rockies. After signing a Minor League contract late last month, the veteran first baseman was working out at the Rockies’ alternate training site, which was being held at their Salt River Fields at Talking Stick complex in Scottsdale, Ariz., before his contract was selected on April 29.
The left-handed hitting Adams, 32, is nicknamed “Big City” for his size — he’s listed at 6–3 and 245 pounds — and ability to hit long home runs. Adams played sparingly in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, but in 2019, Adams hit 20 home runs with 56 RBI in 333 at-bats over 111 games with the Nationals. The Rockies signed him to a Minor League contract March 28.
Adams has spent all or parts of nine seasons in the Majors and has hit 20 homers twice, 21 home runs once and at least 15 in four other seasons. And only once has he had more than 367 plate appearances in a season.
“He’s got an undeniable track record of big league performance offensively,” says Assistant General Manager of Player Personnel Jon Weil. “Defensively, despite what a big guy he is, he’s actually more nimble than people would think. He’s a presentable defender with power. And his make-up and character traits are off the charts.”
In addition to Adams, two veteran pitchers are looking to extend their careers with the Rockies after signing Minor League contracts.
Right-hander Ivan Nova, 34, was in camp this spring with the Phillies but opted out of his Minor League deal and was released March 25. The Phillies signed Nova on Jan. 29, shortly after Dave Dombrowski, president of baseball operations, said the team wanted to add some veteran pitching depth. Nova carries a career record of 90–77, with a 4.38 ERA in 240 Major League games, 227 starts. Nova’s chances of making Philadelphia’s Opening Day roster were not helped in early February when the club signed pitchers Chase Anderson and Matt Moore to Major League contracts. Additionally, Nova went 0–2 with a 7.30 ERA in five Grapefruit League games, allowing 15 hits and nine walks in 12.1 innings with six strikeouts. In 2020, Nova was 1–1 with an 8.53 ERA in four starts for the Tigers, totaling 19 innings. His last full season was 2019 with the White Sox, when Nova tied his career high with 187 innings, made a career-high 34 starts and finished 11–12 with a 4.72 ERA.
The left-handed Chris Rusin, 34, pitched for the Rockies from 2015–19, spending most of that time in a variety of relief roles. He was slowed by a back injury in 2019 and pitched two games for the Rockies. A free agent after that season, Rusin signed with the Braves but pitched just one game for them in 2020 on Aug. 3, when he allowed six hits, three walks and three runs in 3.1 innings. The next day, the Braves designated Rusin for assignment and assigned him outright to their alternate training site Aug. 6 when he cleared waivers. The Braves released him on Sept. 5.
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Rusin delivered in several big moments during his time with the Rockies, and he had a bit part in an historical moment Aug. 7, 2016, at Coors Field. Facing Rusin, Ichiro Suzuki of the Marlins lined a triple high off the out-of-town scoreboard in the seventh inning for his 3,000th hit. Being part of history came with a perk for Rusin. After the game, Suzuki, who is virtually assured of election to the Hall of Fame when he becomes eligible in 2025, signed one of his bats and had it sent to the Rockies’ clubhouse for Rusin.
Because he was not in Spring Training with any club this spring, Rusin is in the Rockies’ Minor League camp in Scottsdale, where he can get in pitching shape for the season rather than their alternate site, where nearly all the participants were in Major League Camp.
In addition to Adams, who provides the Rockies added depth, they also signed left-handed-hitting first baseman Greg Bird, who went to Grandview High School, to a Minor League contract Feb. 11. He was in Major League Spring Training with the Rockies before being optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque late in camp and is also at the alternate site. In 22 Cactus League games this spring, Bird, who is trying to revive his career which has been stalled by injuries, hit .244 (11-for-45) with one homer, four RBI and a .660 OPS.
Adams has seven years, 152 days of service time in the Majors, mostly with the Cardinals. Out of respect for that tenure, Weil says he and Adams’ agent agreed to discuss Adams’ situation, including whether he would be willing to go to Triple-A, when the alternate site concludes in the first week of May. Meanwhile, the Rockies can evaluate Adams.
“You’re bringing in a guy with (an) offensive track record and off the charts make-up into a situation that fits us both,” Weil says.
The Rockies have a similar arrangement with Nova, who has 10 years, 24 days of Major League service time.
The 2020 season, which was shortened to 60 games, was a lost year for Adams. He signed a Minor League contract with the Mets on Jan. 31 but opted out of the deal on July 18, six days before they started the 60-game season, and was granted his release. On July 20, Adams signed a Minor League contract with the Braves. He had been their primary designated hitter against right-handed pitching when he strained his left hamstring and went on the injured list Aug. 5. Upon being reinstated Aug. 17, Adams went 2-for-16 with 11 strikeouts in six games and was released Sept. 3 after being designated for assignment. Adams finished the season with a .184 average and .563 OPS in 16 games with two homers and nine RBI.
Adams, Bird, Nova and Rusin — some familiar names on the Rockies radar in 2021.
