Trade Deadline Preview: Colorado Rockies
By Sam Clancy
Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
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.