Trade Deadline Preview: Colorado Rockies
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The Colorado Rockies got off to a hot start in 2014 and were one of the three teams vying for the NL West crown through 40 games. The Rockies were sitting pretty with the best offense in the sport and some solid defense.
But since then, everything has been going wrong for the mile high men. Featured players Nolan Arenado, Carlos Gonzalez and Michael Cuddyer have hit the DL this season, along with over half of their starting rotation.
It is nothing new that the Rockies are struggling to pitch this season. What is new is the potential reason why. The Rockies have had 12 different pitchers start a game this season, and of those 12, six of them are on the disables list right now. Tyler Chatwood, Christian Bergman and Brett Anderson are all on the 60-day DL and their ERA leader Jordan Lyles hasn’t pitched since June 4.
The bullpen hasn’t suffered injuries like starting rotation, but they have been just as bad. LaTroy Hawkins and Tommy Kahnle have been two bright spot out of the pen while Adam Ottavino, Matt Belisle and Rex Brothers all have ERAs over four.
There is no telling where a healthy offense could have carried the Rockies in the first half of the season, but they will have some decisions to make at the deadline.
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What they need
1. Pitching
If you page through the short history, the phrase ‘they need pitching’ would likely be the most used. If your team has the highest batting average and the most runs scored in the National League but are still 13 games under .500 then pitching is obviously a need. With a team not likely to make a run at the playoffs this season the Rockies will likely be looking at adding some controlable players in the hopes that they can keep their lineup healthy in the seasons to come.
The Rockies will likely look to bolster their minor league pitching stock. They already have two pitchers in Baseball America’s top 50 prospects, Jonathan Gray and Eddie Butler.
2. Young First Baseman
Every other need for the Rockies pales in comparison to their need for pitching, but first base could be a hole down the road.
Justin Morneau is doing a bang-up job at first base for the Rockies right now, but he is the second oldest everyday player on the team. Although he is under contract for this year and next year and has a mutual option for 2016, Morneau’s is the one postion that they really don’t have covered into the future. When Troy Tulowitski was on the block in the offseason the deals were often centered around young first basemen like Matt Adams.
3. A Direction for the future
The Rockies have been an uninspired organization since making the playoffs in 2009. If they are able to stock up on young pitching without sacrificing too much of their major league hitting they could be competitive in the NL West in just a few years.
Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Who could be moved:
Gonzalez has been injury prone in the past few years, and as a result the Rockies have been able to build some major league depth in the outfield. In his time on the disabled list, young outfielders Corey Dickerson and Charlie Blackmon have proven to be quality MLB outfielders. With two rising outfielders coming to take his spot, Gonzalez will likely be the odd man out if he can get healthy in time. His value is still up for debate due to his ridiculous splits and his injury history, but he may be one of the biggest names on the move this deadline.
Number 86 on Baseball America’s top 100 prospects, shortstop Rosell Herrera is still a long way away. Although he is only playing at high A this year, Herrera looks like he will be blocked from the major leagues for a long time. Tulo isn’t going anywhere, DJ LeMahieu is developing into a solid second baseman and Nolan Arenado looks like he could be a superstar in the making. If the Rockies make a move with a team like the Cubs or Rays Herrera could be on the move.
What happens when you find an old diamond in some old rough? You trade him for a mid level prospect! I don’t expect Hawkins to draw a huge haul considering he is 41 years old, but he could be worth a look from a contender looking for a bullpen arm.
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Who they could target
1. Jason Hammel
Theo Epstein has made a living off of trading for players then moving them in the next season. Last year, the Cubs got Hammel in their deal sending Scott Feldman to Baltimore. Hammel can become a free agent in 2015, so the Rockies may be more interested in Jake Arrieta, but the Cubs are unlikely to want to move him after two outstanding starts. Although he isn’t under control beyond this season Hammel is a valuable piece. He has an ERA under three with 102 innings under his belt.
The Cardinals have always been on the top of the list when it comes to making traded with the Rockies. With such great hitters potentially being offered by the Rockies, the Cardinals should be on the list again this season. Miller has slipped from untouchable prospect to untouchable rotation member to suddenly trade-able middle-of-the-rotation guy. With pitchers like Michael Wacha and Joe Kelly zooming past Miller and Carlos Martinez holding his own in the rotation, Miller could be on the move for a big enough return. The Rockies may not want a fastball-flyball pitcher, but the third place finisher in the rookie of the year voting would bolster the Rockies system.
3. Dillon Gee
Depending on what the Mets are looking to do at the deadline, Gee could be available. Gee has been one of the Mets’ better pitchers in the over the past year and a half. He has been injured this season, but in his 8 starts Gee has a 2.73 ERA and a 3-1 record. He has one of the better change-ups in the sport, and has been a good ground ball pitcher. He had a career high 50 percent ground ball rate in 2012, and a still respectable 42 percent last year. He can become a free agent in 2017 so he would be under control for a long time.