Examining The Colorado Rockies At The Trade Deadline

The trade deadline is near, and the Colorado Rockies need to figure out how the next ten days will impact their future in the NL West. 

With the trade deadline looming and the Rockies future in flux, this marks the first real opportunity GM Jeff Bridich has to make has mark on the team.  You can almost hear opposing GM’s crying “the Bridich is coming! The Bridich is coming!”  Seriously though besides the obvious trade targets (Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez) the Rockies have a chance to cash in on some “sell high” players while their value is at an all-time high, unlike they did with Justin Morneau.

“For the first time in a while the Rockies have a chance to define who they are.”

Staff writer Greg Moore and myself will be arguing pro and con with the other Rockies that could be moved.  Whether its DJ LeMahieu, Nick Hundley, Jorge De La Rosa, John Axford or Charlie Blackmon, the Rockies have a few pieces that contending teams may be interested in.  For the first time in a while the Rockies have a chance to define who they are and who they’ll be going forward.  If the team stands pat or has a complete overhaul, it should be a hot topic for Rockies fans.  So let the debate begin!

Next: Trade Candidate: Tulo

Trade candidate: Tulo

Jeramiah: Keep

 Undoubtedly Tulowitzki has big the biggest and most frequent name involved in trade rumors for the Rockies the past two years. The narrative seems to be swayed strongly in favor of trading the perennial All-Star short stop. The general notion has been the Rockies are in need of a culture change and that begins with trading their highest paid player (Tulo). I love the thought of a player spending his entire career with one team and after Tulo’s comments during the All-Star game I’d say he does as well.  However the Rockies can’t hold onto the Super Star simply because he wants to stay.

While many may argue the trading of Tulo could net some much-needed MLB ready pitching depth.  I’m in favor of keeping him for at least two more years, until Trevor story or Brendan Rogers are to make an impact at the big league level.  While Tulo carries a heavy price tag, he’s still the best two-way short stop in the game.

I think the Rockies look at tulo like the girlfriend they can’t break up with.  Why should they part?  So some other guy gets and early 30’s hot blonde and home cooked meals every night?  Sure you might get three or four new girls, but why settle for sevens when you have a ten.

The pro trade Tulo people will tell you he’s a locker room cancer, doesn’t sign autographs and simply doesn’t have the stats his contract should suggest.  I can’t confirm the first, don’t care about the second and stats simply don’t do Tulo justice.  He’s the best offensive short stop in the game and arguably the best defensive one.  If you take his WAR/600 (WAR per 600 plate appearances, WAR/PA x 600) it ranks as one of the best all-time for a ss, including Ernie Banks and Alex Rodriguez’s 2001 season.

Every MLB team drafts and develops players in hopes that one in hundreds pan out to the caliber of Tulo.  All of the Rockies struggles can’t be blamed one Tulo.  I think the Rockies have the ability to move some other pieces and build a better pitching staff and field a better team around Tulo.  Until one of the youngsters forces the Rockies hand or Tulo’s skills fall off of a cliff, the Rockies would be better off trading other sell high players and keeping Tulo.

Greg: Trade Coming into the season Tulo’s trade value was not worthy of him being dealt.  With half a of a productive HEALTHY season in the books, now is the time to move the All-Star short stop.  With his defensive numbers down and more miles on the tires the Rockies can’t afford Tulo to break down again just to hope he regains his trade value.  While he carries a big price tag, his production comes at real bargain for interested teams.   With the depth in the minors at ss, it’s only a matter of time until the Rockies move on from Tulo.  Adames could hold the spot down until either Story or Rodgers are ready.  The $80 million the Rockies would save on Tulo’s future salary could be used to greatly upgrade the pitching staff.

Next: Trade Candidate: DJ

Jul 20, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies second baseman D. LeMahieu (9) runs to first base after being walked during the fourth inning against the Texas Rangers at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Trade candidate: DJ LeMahieu Jeramiah: Keep The next guy on our trade deadline list is second baseman, DJ LeMahieu.  DJ’s value has skyrocketed this season with his surprising hitting and All-Star bid.  A return on the gold glover would never be higher than it is right now.  It’s very likely DJ can’t keep up his pace at the plate and the Rockies will be “stuck” with him.  If the Rockies could get “stuck” with more players like the situation DJ presents this team might uphold the “2 in 5” goal former GM Dan O’Dowd suggested.   DJ is a GM’s dream come true, inexpensive team controlled player at the peak of his production.  With high-priced players like Cargo and Tulo, you need players like DJ to give you stability and production that is cost-effective.  

“DJ who is on his final pre arbitration year becomes a free agent in 2019.”

While DJ will probably regress at the plate, his defensive value can’t be measured.  While I could show you some trendy video of DJ making a web gem play where he dives, spins and makes a throw from his knees (which I still will), it has to be a good feeling for Rockies pitchers knowing that 3/4 of the infield is a vacuum.   DJ who is on his final pre arbitration year becomes a free agent in 2019 simply doesn’t need to be moved now.  Much like the Tulo situation, if Story or Adames force their way onto the club and make the move to second, DJ then could become a trade target.  Until then look for Rockies fans everywhere to misspell his name.

Greg: Trade

DJ is a sell high option for me.  He’s never going to be much better offensively than he is now.  After an All-Star game appearance and a Gold Glove, his value is through the roof.  If traded the Rockies could move either Story or Adames over to second.  Which would fill the need at second and thin out the competition at short stop.  Even with his improved power/RBI numbers he’s a bit of a hollow hitter.

Next: Trade Candidate: Jorge De La Rosa

Trade candidate: Cargo

Jul 11, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies right fielder Carlos Gonzalez (5) during the fifth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Coors Field. The Rockies won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Jeramiah: Trade This one was the hardest for me to decide.  Cargo is a guy you love to root for, his energy and personality make it near impossible not to love the guy.  I would love Cargo and Tulo to ride off into a purple sunset and retire as Rockies, and they probably could keep both for a few more years.  unfortunately Cargo’s deal is insanely back loaded ($20 million in 2017) and I don’t see him producing enough to warrant that kind of contract.   I have no issues with Cargo as a player, he’s fun to watch and always finds a way to impact the game.  This is strictly a business decision.  While the Rockies may never get full value back in a Cargo deal, they simply can’t wait for him to get hurt again.  With him saying he finally feels comfortable on his back knee and his stats to prove it ( .986 OPS in July).   If Cargo is dealt, I’m not really concerned what return we will get rather than how much of that contract the other team is willing to eat.  Not to mention the already crowded Rockies outfield will only get worse in a few years, with David Dahl and Raimel Tapia working their way up.  Someone one who would benefit the most from  a Cargo deal is Kyle Parker.  #freeKyleParker need I say more?

Greg: Keep

Cargo is still relatively young and with his knee finally getting healthy his speed should return.  Not only will the knee help his speed, it’s allowed him to stay back on back foot so he can drive the ball to all fields.  Even with a horrible start, Cargo is on pace for a 20 HR 70 RBI season.   What I admire most about Cargo is when he’s having an off day at the plate his incredible defense still makes him a game changer.  If the Rockies decide to trade Tulo it may truly give Cargo a chance to shine on the field and in the clubhouse.

Next: Trade Candidate: Charlie Blackmon, John Axford

Trade candidate: Charlie Blackmon, John Axford Jeramiah and Greg: Only room for one beard, keep Chuck Chuck a 2014 All-Star had a slash line of .291/.360/.463 with a wRC+ of 113 going into the 2015 All-Star break, which is an improvement of his 2014 numbers.  Once a question mark as a lead off hitter, Chuck has settled in quite nicely at the top spot becoming more patient.  With a real depth flaw for lead off hitters in the organization it’s no coincedence that as Chuck goes, so does the offense.   The beard has a team friendly contract (one year $518k), who is under team control until 2019.  Keeping Chuck allows David Dahl time to grow until he’s ready to be the every lead off guy.   John Axford In his short time with the Rockies,Axford has worked his way into the hearts of Rockies fans.Axford whowas signed to a minor league deal, has become a huge asset as the Rockies closer with injuries toAdamOttavinoandLatroy Hawkins.  Not much to see here other than a chance for the Rockies to cash in on a low risk investment. This trade deadline could shape the Rockies future and define the team going forward.  Whether the team drastically changes its landscape or stands pat, Rockies fans opinion ofJeffBridich could be swayed come August 1st.  So fans who do you  want to see moved at the deadline?

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