Colorado Rockies trade rumors: Mariners make offer for Drew Stubbs

Tell me one good reason the Colorado Rockies shouldn’t trade Drew Stubbs to a contender.

More from Colorado Rockies Rumors

• Colorado Rockies: Could recent injuries change their offseason philosophy?
• 3 free agents the Colorado Rockies should already be targeting
• The Colorado Rockies should take a flier on outfielder Franmil Reyes
• MLB trade rumors: Rockies could deal Chad Kuhl, Carlos Estévez on Trade Deadline Day
• 7 trade destinations for Colorado Rockies closer Daniel Bard

That is now officially an option, as reported by Nick Groke:

A major-league source confirmed to The Denver Post that the Seattle Mariners offered a deal for Stubbs this week. The Rockies aren’t actively trying to trade Stubbs, the source said……In any trade they make, the Rockies likely will want young pitchers in return.

And so we return to the issue: unless the Rockies plan to trade Carlos Gonzalez or unless they plan to part ways with Michael Cuddyer, why exactly would they want to keep Stubbs?

Don’t get me wrong, because Stubbs has been great. His .297/.335/.498 slash line has been a pleasant surprise, as has the fact that he has at least been able to hit for some power against right-handed pitching. Combined with his elite defense, Stubbs has emerged as just about the best possible fourth outfielder you could hope for.

The problem is, the Rockies also have Brandon Barnes, Corey Dickerson, and Charlie Blackmon. In terms of pure talent, Barnes is clearly the odd man out. But we all know that he isn’t going anywhere soon, and he slots in well enough as a bench player that we can put up with that fact.

But if Barnes stays, and if the Rockies want to sign Cuddyer this off-season, and if the Rockies do not want to trade CarGo, and if they are going to try to free up more regular playing time for Dickerson, and if Blackmon has earned the right as an All-Star to be in the everyday lineup…

…seriously, give me one good reason that the Rockies shouldn’t trade Drew Stubbs to the Seattle Mariners (or anybody else, for that matter).