When was the last time the Colorado Rockies entered the Major League Baseball trading period in a position of strength?
It’s been just short of a decade since Colorado was a “buyer” at the deadline, so they’ve been in the same position they’re in now since 2019. What’s different this time is that the Rockies actually have players that contending teams would want for their pennant race. We aren’t talking about former All-Stars like CJ Cron or Elias Diaz (whom the Rockies’ then-management held on to for at least a year too long… each) who could bring back less-than-dazzling returns. We’re talking (relatively) young and productive everyday players who could actually be difference-makers down the stretch… for somebody else.
Yes, the Rockies have had their moments this season, and appear to be on their way to what could be close to a 20-game improvement over last year’s historically terrible campaign. That’s led some to think – and say out loud – that they shouldn’t change anything. Those folks seem to have missed the part about Colorado still having the lowest winning percentage in MLB. They still aren’t good in their current form.
What could help them get a lot better is an influx of (young) pitching talent.
That’s not coming from the farm system just yet. And Colorado isn’t out there bidding for top free agents or trying to trade for Tarik Skubal. For them to acquire young pitching talent, they must make productive trades.
‘Tis the season.
So who can the Rockies actually trade and get real value in return? It’s been quite a while – maybe DJ LeMahieu from the Cubs for Ian Stewart and Casey Weathers in 2011 – since the Rox “won” a trade. It’s a fact that you have to give up something, or in this case, someone of high value if you want to get something great back in return.
The Rockies are flush with quality outfielders. Rookie Cole Carrigg has made an immediate impact. At age 24 and on a rookie contract, you don’t trade him. Two-time Gold Glover Brenton Doyle probably isn’t tradeable at this point, given how much time he’s spent on the injured list. Jordan Beck is back in Triple-A trying to find his form, so he’s not getting moved. Neither is veteran Troy Johnston or young Sterlin Thompson, who hasn’t shown enough just yet.
Colorado could trade former top prospect Zac Veen, who’s having a big season in Triple-A and could use a change of scenery. If not, they’ve got to get him up to the big leagues to see what he can do.
Which outfielders can they trade? It’s been floated around that the Houston Astros might be interested in one of Colorado’s lefty-hitting outfielders, likely either Jake McCarthy and/or Mickey Moniak. Both of them should be made available to the Astros – or anyone else – if they can get a top pitching prospect or two in return. And if you could get real pitching help in exchange for utility man Tyler Freeman, you can let him go, as well. Not saying it wouldn’t hurt, short-term, but once again, there’s going to be a price to pay to become a contender.
You could also trade suddenly red-hot third baseman Kyle Karros for young pitching, because you have white-hot prospect Charlie Condon waiting in Albuquerque. And you can trade pitchers Kyle Freeland (who is likely to veto almost any conceivable trade proposal) and Antonio Senzatela to a contender who needs bullpen help. Both would have value.
Those you don’t consider trading are shortstop Ezequiel Tovar and two-time All-Star catcher Hunter Goodman. There’s an old adage that remains very true today: “Great teams are built up the middle.” You need top-tier players behind the plate, at shortstop and second base, and in center field. You currently have three of those four, while still needing to find a standout second baseman at some point. So you don’t consider breaking up that group.
Between McCarthy and Moniak, plus Senzatela and perhaps Karros and Freeman, the Rockies have a good hand to play at the deadline. And for the first time in a long time, they appear to have the right poker players deciding which hands to play.
