Colorado Rockies Willing to Forfeit a Major Bat for Kevin Gausman
Kevin Gausman has once again drawn the attention of the Colorado Rockies. A nice idea, but the Baltimore Orioles just won’t budge.
The Colorado Rockies are gradually creeping out of the shadows of the National League. Their high-powered offense has launched them into relevance and has provided hope to a franchise that hasn’t seen a winning season since 2010. Colorado is finally transitioning from rebuild to build.
Their first building block this offseason was locking up Ian Desmond to a 5-year/$70 million deal. A somewhat questionable signing given Colorado’s already stellar outfield and high quality middle infield. But Desmond’s versatility opens up multiple options for the Rockies. As of now, the most probable spot for Desmond is first base, however, he’s proven himself worthy as an outfielder. Interesting possibility, but how is that possible with David Dahl, Charlie Blackmon, and Carlos Gonzalez as the team’s current outfield starters?
It’s simple: Trade one of them. The Rockies have never been shy in discussing a Carlos Gonzalez trade. Of course, that was back when Colorado was far from respectable and hungry for prospects. Nevertheless, the Rockies still appear open to trading their star right fielder.
Per reports, the Rockies are looking to initiate a trade with the Baltimore Orioles. Rumors indicate Carlos Gonzalez and Kevin Gausman are the headliners.
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Colorado is obsessed with Kevin Gausman, understandably so. The Colorado native finally peaked in his 2016 campaign. He tossed a career high 179 innings and had an ERA of 3.61. He also added 174 strikeouts to his stat line. Gausman was the Oriole ace in 2016. Baltimore evidently thinks he can be an ace for years to come as they once again seem uninterested in a trade for Gonzalez.
The offer can swing both ways. Baltimore has intently been shopping for outfielders, and Carlos Gonzalez just so happens to be better than any free agent/trade worthy outfielder on the market. Regardless, the Orioles seem to covet Gausman more so than an impact bat like Gonzalez.
As tough as it is to pass on Carlos Gonzalez, it’s nearly impossible to give up on a 6’3”, wiry 25-year-old, who throws a fastball in the consistent upper 90s as a starting pitcher. Additionally, Gausman is under team control until 2021, making him that much more valuable to Baltimore. The trade denial seems very reasonable when his contract is taken into consideration. Still, the idea of Carlos Gonzalez wearing a Baltimore Orioles jersey, overlooking that short right field porch… that requires some serious discipline on the Orioles’ part.
Rockies’ center fielder, Charlie Blackmon, has also surfaced the rumor mill. Blackmon has emerged as one of the league’s purest hitters. He’s an outstanding leadoff hitter with sneaky power. He would allow Baltimore to drop Adam Jones to the middle of the order, a luxury they would need assuming they don’t re-sign Mark Trumbo. Blackmon would be a nice fit, however, it’s not really a question of fit with Blackmon or Gonzalez. The focus for the Orioles is Kevin Gausman.
Baltimore might reconsider if they had a better starting rotation. The Orioles’ starting pitchers had the 6th worst ERA in the American League in 2016. There is no way they could withstand the loss of Kevin Gausman given their current state. It just so happens Colorado’s greatest weakness is also Baltimore’s greatest weakness. The Rockies need an impact starting pitcher while the Orioles already have one. Advantage Orioles.
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Baltimore’s stubbornness will not fade when it comes to Gausman. Colorado must either up their bid, or shop elsewhere.