Rockies discussing trade for Sean Marshall

David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports

Feeling like they will not have the money to spend in free agency, it appears that the Colorado Rockies have turned their attention to trades to bolster their pitching staff. They remain in on A’s starting pitcher Brett Anderson and they are apparently discussing a trade with the Cincinnati Reds for Sean Marshall.

Troy Renck tweeted the following earlier today:

But, as things go at the Winter Meetings, by the time the rumored deal had been reported it was already on the verge of flaming out. Renck provided the following update:

Said concerns over his health would be the shoulder injury that limited him to 16 appearances in 2013. In those games he posted a 1.74 ERA. In the seasons prior he was nails for the Cubs and then at the back of a very good Cincinnati bullpen (stats from BaseballReference):

2010: 2.65 ERA in 80 games
2011: 2.26 ERA in 78 games
2012: 2.51 ERA in 73 games

Would the Rockies get the Marshall from pre-2013? If the Reds are listening to trade offers for him, the Rockies should be appropriately weary that his troublesome shoulder still lingers as a concern. There is no question that a healthy Marshall would be a huge get for the Rockies. But, as with Anderson as a possible rotation candidate, Colorado must consider if they can afford to gamble on a guy with recent injury troubles when their margin for error is so very slim to begin with.

More news to come as this week’s meetings unfold.