2012 MLB Trade Rumors: Rockies Seth Smith Still Drawing Interest

Earlier this offseason it appeared the Colorado Rockies were on the verge of trading outfielder Seth Smith to the Atlanta Braves.  While talks have since cooled between the Rockies and Braves, teams are still expressing interest in Smith.  Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports says that the Athletics, Rays, Mariners, Indians, Red Sox and Mets have all been tied to Smith, who Colorado hopes to trade for a starting pitcher or second baseman.

Smith is 28-years-old and set to enter arbitration for his first time.  Under team control for three more seasons, Smith offers teams in need of offense a viable trade option.

Last season for the Rockies Smith hit at a clip of .284/.347/.483 with 32 doubles and 15 home runs over his 533 plate appearances.   Smith sports a career OPS of .833, though Rosenthal notes that he struggled against lefties in 2011 and his defense is said to have regressed.

Still, Rosenthal reports that more than a half-dozen teams have expressed interested in Smith this offseason.

In exchange for Smith the Rockies are seeking a back-of-the-rotation starting pitcher or a second baseman.  Colorado targeted Atlanta’s Martin Prado before talks fell through.  Rosenthal says the Rays (Jeff Niemann and Wade Davis) and Athletics (Tyson Ross and Josh Outman) have what it takes to acquire Smith, though it’s unknown what their level of interest is at this time.

For more on the Rockies, be sure to check out Rox Pile.