Colorado Rockies Trade Candidate: Carlos Gonzalez

Aug 1, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Colorado Rockies left fielder Carlos Gonzalez (5) tosses his bat after striking out in the fourth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

As the season begins, we are profiling some potential trade candidates the Colorado Rockies might consider moving this summer. Next up is a big one… Carlos Gonzalez.

Rumors have swirled all winter about the Colorado Rockies getting rid of either Carlos Gonzalez or Troy Tulowitzki – or both – and it stands to reason that if the team finds themselves out of contention early this summer, one or both might be shipped off to a playoff hopeful.

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After all, both have had serious health issues, and neither one is getting any younger.

Plus, the Rockies are at a cornerstone in deciding whether they should build around Tulo and CarGo, or blow it all up and get young, bad, and cheap.

As much as I hate to even have to write it, because he’s such a damn good player, here’s the case for the Colorado Rockies trading CarGo:

The contract.

Gonzalez is on a seven-year, $80 milllion deal. He’s owed $16 million this year, $17 million next year, and $20 million in 2017. These numbers would no doubt be an impediment to some teams wanting to grab him to help in the playoffs, though other clubs surely wouldn’t think twice about eating salary to go along with the player.

Gonzalez will turn 30 in October.

The history.

CarGo was signed by the Arizona Diamondbacks as a free agent in 2002, and spent time in the big leagues with the Oakland Athletics before coming to Colorado in the November 2008 trade for Matt Holliday.

The tenure.

Gonzalez has developed into a superstar in Colorado. He won the NL Batting Title in 2010, slashing .336/.376/.598 and leading the league in hits and total bases.

He’s won three Gold Gloves, finished third in MVP voting in 2010, made two All Star games, and has hit 132 home runs in six seasons in Denver (only one of which he’s played more than 135 games).

And then… the injuries. Gonzalez has averaged only 113 games per season in his six years with the Rockies, including a career-low 70 games last year, missing time with leg injuries and a “fatty mass with tentacles” in his finger. Gross. He also slashed a career low .238/.292/.431 last year, walking only 19 times and striking out 70 in 281 plate appearances.

The angle.

CarGo isn’t getting any younger, and he’s not getting any healthier. The Rockies are at a crossroads this year with their two superstars, CarGo and Tulo.

Do you build around them right now so you can win soon-ish, and bank on them both finally staying healthy for a full season (and really, more than that)? Or, do you understand both will soon be north of 30 and won’t get any healthier as they get older, so it’s time to trade them immediately while they each still have value?

Obviously, teams still believe CarGo and Tulo can be super stars, as clubs inquired about both of them all winter. If the Rockies are going to keep them both, well, they need to start building something soon, because it’s conceivable neither one has too many years left.

But, as much as it pains me to think about CarGo’s departure, a trade could make sense too; dump him while he’s still got value and the Rockies can get back a decent haul. If you wait too long, or if Gonzalez is seriously injured yet again this year, the window of opportunity may close quickly.

The replacement.

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The Rockies have a host of Major League-ready outfielders, including Corey Dickerson, Charlie Blackmon, and Drew Stubbs in the big leagues right now, and Brandon Barnes and Kyle Parker waiting in the wings in AAA.

None of them are CarGo quality, but when you consider what the Rockies might be able to get back in return for him in a potential trade, you could stomach a year or two of lesser-quality outfield play if it pays off with prospects that can help the Rockies actually build a contender.

Or maybe that’s just wishful thinking.