With Cruz Off The Market, Carlos Gonzalez’s Trade Value Is Up

With Nelson Cruz now off the market, trade offers for Carlos Gonzalez might be at an all-time high.

As you may or may not have seen, Nelson Cruz recently signed a four-year, $57 million deal with the Seattle Mariners. Cruz was arguably the best outfielder on the market this offseason and his signing with Seattle boosts the trade value of Carlos Gonzalez.

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The Colorado Rockies, who have already said they would listen to offers for Gonzalez, may be seeing an influx of offers from the teams who failed to wrap up Cruz.

Power hitters are scarcer now than they were a decade ago and both Cruz and Gonzalez can provide a big bat for a team that is in need of a power hitter. With Cruz gone, the next best option for teams looking to add power may be a trade for Gonzalez.

Though he comes with a big salary and is injury-prone, teams looking to add extra strength to their lineup might be willing to trade for him. The real question is if the Rockies will actually consider any offer that is thrown their way.

Since new GM Jeff Bridich announced they would be willing to listen to offers for Tulowitzki and Gonzalez, the Rockies front office has done nothing but listen. Literally. It made huge news when they said they were taking offers but all they have done is listen and it is not making very many fans happy.

Some fans, like myself, have been calling for a Gonzalez trade since the middle of last season. He is injury-prone and has been giving lackluster play since his breakout season of 2010.

For various reasons, I believe CarGo is now a must-trade seeing as his value has now increased. First off, as every Rockies fans will tell you, a trade might bring in some much needed pitching. It’s no secret Colorado’s pitching is near the bottom of the MLB and a trade could help bring the Rockies out of the basement.

A Gonzalez trade could also free up a huge amount of salary space. With more salary money, the organization could bring in a talented free agent or an up-and-coming prospect. Read more about trading for salary room here.

It may or may not be a popular move with Rockies fans, but it is a move the organization needs to make. It is time to trade Carlos Gonzalez.

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