Colorado Rockies Rumors: Trade Talk with Baltimore?

We know the Colorado Rockies have been looking to acquire more starting pitching. It was part of the big rumor that circulated toward the end of baseball’s winter meetings with Charlie Blackmon heading to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for Marcus Stroman.

While the Rockies have been looking strongly toward the Baltimore Orioles roster in swiping Mark Trumbo away from the American League East team, it appears that’s not the only Baltimore player the Rockies have been coveting.

According to Roch Kubato of MASNSports.com, the Rockies have been talking to the Orioles about a potential trade that would send a Colorado outfielder (presumably Blackmon or Carlos Gonzalez) to Baltimore with Colorado receiving starting pitcher Kevin Gausman in exchange. The problem, however, is that Baltimore isn’t interested in trading Gausman.

One thing that is a constant within the talks the Rockies have reportedly had with the Blue Jays and the Orioles is that any trade will involve a starting pitcher. It’s obvious that the Rockies are looking to upgrade their pitching as a whole, including a rotation that features young guns Jon Gray, Tyler Anderson, Tyler Chatwood and Chad Bettis. While the Colorado bullpen has been a constant focus when the word “upgrade” is mentioned this offseason, it’s clear Colorado wouldn’t mind acquiring another starter as well.

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We talked openly about whether Colorado needed another starter in this article. The Rockies certainly seem to be pushing for one … but they’re clearly shooting for top-tier starters if they’re potentially going to trade one of their All-Star outfielders. Reportedly, Toronto is not interested in parting with Stroman and Baltimore wants to no part of sending away Gausman, who paced all Orioles starters innings pitched and ERA in 2016.

If we’ve learned nothing through the recent rumor mill involving the Rockies, it’s that Colorado general manager Jeff Bridich is willing to talk about trading Blackmon or CarGo. But any team interested in talking about that best be prepared to give up a big-name pitcher as Colorado is in win-now mode.

Next: Rockies Gaining Momentum as Team to Watch in 2017

One more note involving Baltimore and Colorado … it appears the Orioles are interested in a pair of former Rockies catchers. While former Arizona catcher Welington Castillo appears to be their top backstop target, Baltimore has expressed interest in Nick Hundley and Chris Iannetta. By the way, Iannetta was just named to our all-time Colorado Rockies 25-man roster. Check it out here.

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