Colorado Rockies Rumors: Tuesday’s Winter Meetings Recap

Day three of the winter meetings is over and included one blockbuster of a trade, some free agent signings and rumors galore. It was a regular day on the hot stove … except the Colorado Rockies actually kept coming up in the rumors.

First off, the trade that we have heard rumors of throughout the 2016 season. Chris Sale will have to change the color of his socks as the White Sox came to an agreement with the Red Sox, sending the ace to Boston in return for infielder Yoan Moncada, outfielder Luis Basabe, and pitchers Michael Kopech and Victor Diaz. Moncada was the jewel of the package for the White Sox as he is considered one of, if not the best, prospect in baseball. Michael Kopech is also a top tier prospect and has been rumored to touch 105 mph.

The trade gives the Red Sox a fearsome rotation with the addition of Sale to David Price and reigning Cy Young Award winner Rick Porcello. For the White Sox, it seemingly signals a full on rebuild.

This blockbuster was not the only move the Red Sox made on a busy Tuesday for general manager Dave Dombrowski. Boston also signed 1B/DH Mitch Moreland to a one-year deal pending a physical, which likely takes them out of the market for any other first basemen. A smaller trade for the Red Sox went down Tuesday morning as Tyler Thornburg was acquired from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for Travis Shaw and two other prospects. The Red Sox are clearly in win now mode and it is hard to pick against them in the AL East at this point.

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The Red Sox were not the only team that made some moves on Tuesday. The second biggest trade could include the world champion Chicago Cubs, who may be filling the void left when Aroldis Chapman became a free agent. A deal that would send Jorge Soler to the Royals and bring Wade Davis in return is on the table. The deal is not yet official as the two sides appear to be considering.

Other moves include:

• The Rays signed catcher Wilson Ramos to a two-year, $12.5 million dollar deal
• The Diamondbacks are rumored to be closing a deal with relief pitcher Fernando Rodney
• The Rangers signed OF Carlos Gomez to a one year deal pending a physical.

The Rockies, despite not making any moves, were at the center of a surprising number of rumors. All of today’s whispers involved the solution to the hole at first base.

Their interest in some of they guys I talked about a couple of days ago was confirmed.

The Rockies were also connected again with Chris Carter. The other interesting thing to consider with the possible free agent signings is a lot of the other teams in need of a power hitter at first base or DH are filling those holes or are likely going a different direction. As mentioned earlier, the Red Sox have signed Moreland, likely removing them from the chase. The Astros also seem less likely after signing Carlos Beltran, and the Yankees seem to be focused on bringing Chapman back at a ridiculous salary after signing Matt Holliday.

Likely destinations remaining for these sluggers now seems narrowed down to the Indians, the Rangers, the Orioles, the Mariners and the Rockies.

Of course, there can always be other teams jumping in but it is nice that the market is narrowing a little bit giving the Rockies a little more leverage in contract talks with these guys.

The most interesting rumors today involved the Rockies and a possible trade with the White Sox. News broke last night that Jeff Bridich has had preliminary talks about a trade involving Jose Abreu, who the Rockies pursued when he first came into MLB. Abreu, however, is apparently not the only possible trade candidate in a deal between these two clubs.

Either of these guys fit the Rockies mold but Frazier would likely require less of a package from the Rockies, but would also require a long-term solution remaining in the system. Regardless of who the Rockies are targeting, it seems the White Sox are looking only for prospects as they begin a full on rebuild.

Wednesday will certainly bring more rumors and hopefully more moves. The relief market is still  waiting for Chapman and Kenley Jansen to decide where they are going. There are some good set up relievers still available. Brad Ziegler and Neftali Feliz are two of the best options and, as reported earlier on Rox Pile, the Rockies are known to be interested in left hander Mike Dunn.

Next: What Dunn Could Bring to the Colorado Bullpen

Other stories to follow include:

• The possibility of an Andrew McCutchen trade, apparently the Nationals and the Pirates have had on-going talks.
• Jansen and Chapman finally making decisions, and they will likely both come away as the richest relievers in baseball.
• With Sale traded the starting pitching trade market will be based around Tampa Bay, especially Chris Archer.
• Where will Jose Bautista end up?
• Where will old friend Jorge De La Rosa end up? He has been rumored to be connected with multiple clubs as a starter or multi-inning reliever.