Colorado Rockies Rumors: Two Relievers “Available” For Trade?

Since the day he arrived in Denver, Colorado Rockies manager Bud Black has said that the Rockies bullpen will be better with a healthy Chad Qualls and Jason Motte. However, it is rumored that those two veteran relievers are on the market if another team is interested.

In this article by Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports, it’s reported that Qualls and Motte “are said to be available” should another team come calling. While they may be available, it may be a stretch that any other team would be interested in their services.

Both are in the second year of a two-year contract they signed with the Rockies. Both also struggled last season, both on the mound and to stay on the mound.

In 30 games, Motte posted a career-high 4.94 ERA and allowed six homers in just 23.2 innings of work. The 34-year-old right-hander started last season on the disabled list and spent time on the disabled list during the season with rotator cuff inflammation and strain.

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Qualls will turn 39 in August and had a 5.23 ERA last season while opponents batted .305 against him. Issues with colitis caused Qualls to miss a significant period toward the end of last season as he pitched in just eight games after August 20.

Colorado strived in the offseason to improve a bullpen that posted a league-worst 5.13 ERA in 2016. Among the biggest moves of the offseason, the Rockies signed left-hander Mike Dunn and former All-Star closer Greg Holland. Black is also expecting a bounceback season from Jake McGee and is pleased to have late-inning specialist Adam Ottavino healthy and participating in spring training.

“With Dunn, Holland, McGee, Ottavino, Qualls, and Motte, we have six guys who have been battle tested,” Black told Rox Pile after a spring training recent game in Arizona. “These guys have been through it, which we like. Healthy Dunn. Healthy McGee. Healthy Holland. Ottavino healthy for a full year. Motte and Qualls bouncing back. We got action.“They have to perform. Those guys know it. We feel as though where they are right now physically, we feel pretty good about that group.”

There’s also a plethora of young talent available to the Rockies in the bullpen, including Carlos Estevez, Miguel Castro and Jairo Diaz, who could be one of the most interesting factors in the bullpen in his return from Tommy John surgery.

Next: Grading and Analyzing Colorado's 2016 Bullpen

Where does that leave Motte and Qualls? Possibly heading toward a new home if the right deal comes along.