Colorado Rockies rumors: 3 trade targets already being discussed

Justin Verlander, Detroit Tigers

Yahoo Sports recently stated that Verlander could be on the move. With the Tigers struggling to a next-to-last spot in the American League Central, there is a thought that Detroit could shed some of its payroll in a rebuild. That would include the former American League Cy Young Award winner.

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The 34-year-old right-hander is just 5-4 this season with a 4.47 ERA (heading into Saturday’s action), thanks in large part to a strained right triceps that kept him out of action until June 13. He has spent his entire career with the Tigers, piling up a 178-110 record dating back to 2005.

Leaving Detroit would not be easy for Verlander. However, the chance to chase a World Series ring would certainly seem alluring.

Verlander would bring along a big name and postseason experience to the Rockies. He would also bring along a recent propensity to give up the home run. In his last 50 starts dating back to the start of the 2016 season, Verlander has given up 40 homers. Let the discussion about potentially pitching at Coors Field begin with that stat.

He would also bring along a contract where he is owed $56 million over the next two seasons and a name that would command a pretty hefty price tag in terms of prospects to make the trade happen.

Verlander would also need to have his no-trade clause, which could make things more difficult.

Ivan Nova, Pittsburgh Pirates

Our friends at Call to the Pen (CTTP) made the suggestion that Ivan Nova could be a good fit for Colorado’s rotation as well. We actually discussed Nova joining the Rockies before the season began in this article.

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However, it will be interesting to see what Pittsburgh does at the trade deadline. As of Saturday night, at 37-43, the Pirates were just five games behind the Milwaukee Brewers in the race for the National League Central crown. True, the Pirates would have to leapfrog not only the Brewers but also the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals to win the division. However, being that close to the division lead and knowing no team has put a firm grip on the division is a tantalizing thought.

As CTTP said in its article, one of the most interesting stats about Nova is his proficiency to induce ground balls. Heading into Saturday, he ranked third in the Majors with 142 groundouts, just ahead of Colorado’s Kyle Freeland and his 138 groundouts.

Nova has struck out 60 in 108 innings while walking just 13. He’s also crafted a 3.08 ERA. The Rockies have been linked to Nova for a few months now. Perhaps it will finally happen by the end of the month. His price tag would certainly be cheaper than Verlander’s, meaning less the Rockies would have to surrender in terms of prospects. That’s always a thought to keep in mind.

J.D. Martinez, Detroit Tigers

Let’s go back to Detroit for a moment and look at the possibility of J.D. Martinez joining the Rockies.

He’s batting .294 this season with 13 homers and 29 RBI. He’s also enjoying a career-high 1.016 OPS. Martinez is also in the final year of his $11.75 million contract and mentioned in several places as a player who will be on the move as the trading deadline draws near … with Colorado as a landing spot.

Martinez is the only position player mentioned in this article because the Rockies, on the surface, don’t need more outfielders. However, having a bat like Martinez sitting on the bench when the postseason draws near could be a big plus for the Rockies. This could be especially valuable if Carlos Gonzalez isn’t able to break out of his slump or the Rockies use some of their outfield depth as a trading chip.

A seven-year veteran who has spent time in Houston and Detroit, Martinez fouled a ball off his right foot in the seventh inning of Thursday’s game against Kansas City. He shook it off, stayed in the game and finished the at-bat, lacing an RBI single to finish off a 15-pitch at-bat that included the “foot ball.”

Next: What if the Rockies are quiet at the deadline?

That’s the kind of season it has been for Martinez, who followed that with a 2-for-4 performance including a homer in the first game of a doubleheader against the Cleveland Indians on Saturday. That kind of good mojo has to land somewhere, and it could well be in Colorado … if the Rockies are willing to give up some prospects to grab a player who could bolster their bench or more.