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Colorado Rockies: 3 trade targets who could boost the bullpen

By Kevin Henry |
May 18, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; A baseball sits on top of the mound before the game between the Minnesota Twins and Colorado Rockies at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
May 18, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; A baseball sits on top of the mound before the game between the Minnesota Twins and Colorado Rockies at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
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May 18, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; A baseball sits on top of the mound before the game between the Minnesota Twins and Colorado Rockies at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
May 18, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; A baseball sits on top of the mound before the game between the Minnesota Twins and Colorado Rockies at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /

The Colorado Rockies are cruising along with the best record in the National League. However, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks are right on their heels, both in the National League West and in what is setting up to be a must-watch summer for postseason positioning.

As we detailed in this article, the Rockies still need a couple of pieces to make themselves the team to beat in the division. They will need those same pieces to establish themselves as a serious contender for the National League pennant as well.

The biggest need for the Rockies is in the bullpen. Stop me if you’ve ever heard this before, but the Colorado bullpen could use an upgrade. Absolutely, the Rockies have Greg Holland performing at an All-Star level as their closer and solid options in Chris Rusin for earlier innings and Jake McGee and Adam Ottavino as set-up men. However, those pitchers can’t throw every game … and confidence in some of the other options lurking in the bullpen is lacking to say the least.

It’s never too early to look ahead to the Major League Baseball non-waiver trade deadline, set this year for Monday, July 31. The Rockies will not be sellers this season but rather be looking to bolster their roster.

With that in mind, let’s look at three potential trade targets who could help the Colorado bullpen.

Jun 6, 2017; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Chicago White Sox relief pitcher David Robertson (30) throws a pitch during the ninth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 6, 2017; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Chicago White Sox relief pitcher David Robertson (30) throws a pitch during the ninth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

David Robertson, Chicago White Sox

The White Sox will be listening to plenty of offers for their right-handed reliever. There was talk that the White Sox and Washington Nationals were close to a deal for Robertson at one point so it wouldn’t be surprising to see these two teams linked again as the trade deadline continues to draw closer.

Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies /

Colorado Rockies

Robertson was ranked as the top trade prospect out there by MLBTradeRumors.com and with good reason. Entering Saturday with a 3-2 mark and 3.33 ERA in 24.1 innings, the 32-year-old Robertson has struck out 35 batters and possesses a wicked knuckle curve that presents a completely different look than any current Rockies pitcher.

Robertson also possesses valuable postseason experience. As a member of the 2009 New York Yankees, he appeared in two World Series games for the Bronx Bombers, striking out two in 2.1 scoreless innings. The Rockies can use all of the postseason experience they can get and Robertson could provide just that.

Some will say that Robertson’s 10 saves may lend himself to be more of a closer for his next team. However, he’d fit perfectly into the late innings for the Rockies, turning the ball over to Holland at the end. If Holland was unavailable, he’d be a great fill-in.

Washington may be the leader in the chase for Robertson but many thought the Rockies wouldn’t land Holland before the season. Maybe they can pull off another surprise here.

Jun 15, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Pat Neshek (17) pitches during the eighth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 15, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Pat Neshek (17) pitches during the eighth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Pat Neshek, Philadelphia Phillies

Some will look at Neshek and immediately discount the Major League veteran because he is 36 years old. However, the right-hander is having a stellar season in the City of Brotherly Love.

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Entering Saturday, Neshek held a 2-1 mark with a 0.69 ERA. He also has racked up 23 strikeouts in 26 innings, relying mainly on his sinker. His WHIP of 0.81 and opponent batting average of .193 is impressive as well.

Neshek is also a postseason veteran as well, having made it to October with the 2006 Minnesota Twins, 2012 Oakland A’s, 2014 St. Louis Cardinals and 2015 Houston Astros. Again, with the Rockies needing postseason experience in the clubhouse, Neshek would be a nice fit.

And let’s not forget that Neshek played a big role for Team USA to capture the World Baseball Classic this spring. Called upon to work back-to-back games in the semifinals and finals, Neshek came through in a big way.

His slider would complement Ottavino in the bullpen and provide another dastardly weapon for the Rockies in the late innings.

During Colorado’s May visit to Philadelphia, the Rockies saw Neshek twice and he put together two scoreless innings over two days with three strikeouts. We’ll consider that an impressive audition to join the Colorado bullpen.

Apr 8, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; Oakland Athletics relief pitcher Ryan Madson (44) pitches the ninth inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Athletics won 6-1. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 8, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; Oakland Athletics relief pitcher Ryan Madson (44) pitches the ninth inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Athletics won 6-1. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports /

Ryan Madson, Oakland A’s

Like Meshek, Madson is 36 years old. Like Meshek, Madson is having a solid season for a team that is going nowhere in the postseason. Like Meshek, Madson has plenty of postseason experience, reaching the division series four straight years with the Phillies (including a 2009 series the Rockies will remember all too well when Madson struck out four in his first two innings of relief work) and once with the 2015 Kansas City Royals.

Madson has a 1-4 record this season but those are the warts on an otherwise impressive season thus far. He’s struck out 27 in 25.1 innings and his fastball is approaching 95 miles per hour.

One note to watch is that Madson has had a rough June, giving up four runs in five innings of work. However, he’s given up eight runs all of season so if he can revert back to his April (2.00 ERA) and May (1.59 ERA) numbers, he’ll be a valuable addition.

Next: 3 Rockies (besides Nolan and Chuck) who should be in the All-Star Game

Madson is a pitcher who could nail down the seventh inning for the Rockies, setting up Ottavino or McGee for the eighth and Holland for the ninth. Colorado will likely be looking for a “bullpen bridge” between the starter and back end at the trade deadline. Madson could be a nice fit for that.

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