Rockies-Mariners Trade? It Could Work

By Duncan Marshall |

The Rockies are reportedly in preliminary trade talks with the Seattle Mariners. A trade between the two clubs could be one that helps out both sides tremendously.

The Colorado Rockies front office needs to make a trade. Whether it be a big or small trade, one needs to take place to show the fans they truly care about the direction of their organization. It is now being reported by Fox Sports’ Jon Morosi a possible trade with the Seattle Mariners is in the mix after the two clubs have been engaging in preliminary trade talks.

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With the winter meetings in San Diego coming up fairly quickly, this might be something that actually turns out to be more than just noise.

The Rockies desperately need to add quality pitching to both their rotation and bullpen and the Mariners are looking to snag up a hard-hitting left-handed outfielder. Both teams have plenty of what the other team is looking for.

Carlos Gonzalez, Corey Dickerson and Charlie Blackmon are all viable trade candidates. But can the Rockies actually get someone in return that’s worth what any of those three are worth? My guess? It’s unlikely.

To give up Gonzalez, Blackmon or Dickerson, the Rockies are going to need someone substantial who would vastly improve the quality of pitching. The Mariners up-and-coming pitching star, Taijuan Walker, is the only pitcher I can think that could help the Rockies substantially.

The Mariners will most likely be unwilling to deal away their top-pitching prospect for the likes of Blackmon or Gonzalez. Gonzalez has been too hurt and too inconsistent the last few seasons and Blackmon still has much to prove, seeing as 2014 was his first full season in the majors.

Since Seattle just signed Nelson Cruz to a long-term contract, the power really sits with them at this point. If the Rockies demand too much, all Seattle has to do is say no. Colorado is going to have to compromise if they want this deal to happen.

So who do they compromise for and at what price? I say a Gonzalez trade for James Paxton would make the most sense. Paxton is younger pitcher who has shown that he can hang around in the bigs. During the 2014 season he started 13 games, going 6-4, posting a 3.04 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP.

The only thing that might hold the Rockies back from Paxton is that he throws left-handed. The Rockies already have two left handed starters in Jorge De La Rosa and Tyler Matzek.

Dickerson has more than proved that he can play left field every day with the same power and defensive mindset as Gonzalez. If the Rockies do end up trading Gonzalez there would be no harm done to the Rockies, defensive- or offensive-wise.

Losing Gonzalez would not hurt the Rockies at all, and the addition of Paxton could help the pitching rotation get back on track. It is a trade that could definitely work out for both teams.

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