Ben Paulsen Is Forcing The Colorado Rockies' Hand At First Base

Sep 1, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies pinch hitter Ben Paulsen (4) and first base coach Eric Young (21) celebrate his two run home run in the eighth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Ben Paulsen is proving to the Colorado Rockies that he can hit. It’s time to let him, and move Justin Morneau and Wilin Rosario for pitching before the trade deadline.

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No one makes big trades in April or May (well, not nobody, because A.J. Preller exists, but generally nobody does it). Guess what, though? It’s June now! Time for the Colorado Rockies to go Dealin’ Doug-style crazy!

Ok, maybe not that crazy. But it is time for Jeff Bridich to figure out the imprint he wants to put on this team now that he’s running the show. Part of that will certainly mean trading pieces that become expendable, or at the very least, highly coveted by other teams who are entering the playoff race as the season wears on.

Two of those pieces, Justin Morneau and Wilin Rosario, are guys we’ve mentioned before as being potential trade candidates based on their contracts, lineup situations, previous rumors surrounding them both, and other intel (go here for Morneau, or here for Rosario).

Now, Ben Paulsen is forcing the Rockies’ hand with those two guys, and I f***** love it.

Paulsen, who’s been up in the big leagues since Morneau went on the disabled list with concussion-like symptoms, is making his case to stay with the Rockies, telling MLB.com about his hitting goals in Denver:

"“The last week I was down there in Triple-A, [Isotopes manager Glenallen Hill] challenged me as a hitter to be on balance. Even if you’re fooled, be on your legs. He challenged me, saying, ‘I don’t care if you’re 0 for your next 15 at-bats, I want you to really be on balance.'”"

Balance – and power – have worked out in Paulsen’s favor with the Rockies, as he’s homered several times and proven to be a capable bat off the bench and in the starting lineup this year, just as he did last year in his first taste of Major League action.

Now, why not let Paulsen be the starting first baseman?

There are hurdles to cross on any trades with Morneau or Rosario: for the former, a questionable health history regarding concussions has sprung up again, and he must prove he’s healthy; and for the latter, the Rockies and their trade partner need to figure out what position he can play and what role he’d have to get the best return.

But either way, both Morneau and Rosario are becoming increasingly expendable on a team that’s likely going nowhere. They’d each be valuable on clubs in the playoff hunt (didn’t the Cardinals just lose Matt Adams for the season, anyways?). And neither one is going to do much good in a Rockies’ uniform as the club tries to build for the future (sorry, Morneau), while prioritizing defense behind the plate and on the infield (though he’s improved at it, sorry, Rosario).

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It’ll take at least a few weeks to make this happen. The Rockies need to prove Morneau’s health, and showcase both him and Rosario to interested teams.

But for Jeff Bridich: if you’re going to do some deals this summer (which you should), Morneau and Rosario are the perfect places to start.

You’ll not only get a decent enough return for each player (mid-level prospect, pitching help, etc.), it’ll allow the club to stick Paulsen at first and figure out if his bat is really as good as it seems.

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Ben Paulsen Is Forcing The Colorado Rockies’ Hand At First Base

By Bobby DeMuro | Jun 1, 2015

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