MLB hot stove: top trade target for each team

SEATTLE, WA - JULY 30: James Paxton #65 of the Seattle Mariners waits to deliver the pitch in the second inning against the Houston Astros at Safeco Field on July 30, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. The Seattle Mariners beat the Houston Astros 2-0. (Photo by Lindsey Wasson/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - JULY 30: James Paxton #65 of the Seattle Mariners waits to deliver the pitch in the second inning against the Houston Astros at Safeco Field on July 30, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. The Seattle Mariners beat the Houston Astros 2-0. (Photo by Lindsey Wasson/Getty Images)
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MLB hot stove
MILWAUKEE, WI – OCTOBER 04: Colorado Rockies third baseman Ryan McMahhon (24) scoops up a ball during batting practice at Miller Park before the Rockies played the Milwaukee Brewers for the first game of the NLDS October 04, 2018. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post via Getty Images)

Colorado Rockies

The Colorado Rockies seemingly backed themselves into two corners – one a bad spot due to multiple big contracts given to relievers that now leave them without a lot of flexibility in their pitching staff for a bevy of young arms on the way up the system. The other is at first base, where the signing of Ian Desmond not only cost the team a draft pick, but it just caused the team to designate a promising hitter and block another player.

While Trevor Story has been discussed this offseason, and with the team’s depth up the middle in the organization, he could be a legitimate trade piece, it is sounding more and more like the Rockies will go into the season with Story, and he could become a trade chip by midseason.

Star third baseman Nolan Arenado is receiving loads of interest, but he is the heart and soul of the Rockies, and they’re likely to watch him walk out the door after 2019 over trading him at any point, as much as that could hurt Rockies fans everywhere.

By the time he does leave, his replacement may have been traded, however. Ryan McMahon is already going to be 24 this season and spent the entire 2018 riding the major league bench. He’s got much too much bat to be doing that, and the Rockies could maximize on that this offseason in a deal, especially if they choose to pursue a top-of-the-rotation starter or a big-name catcher.