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Colorado Rockies rumors: The trade value of every Rockies outfielder

By Kevin Henry

DENVER - APRIL 4: A detail view shows a Colorado Rockies player standing at third base with the 'I Live For This' logo on the base during the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Coors Field on April 4, 2007 in Denver, Colorado. The Rockies won 11-4. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
DENVER - APRIL 4: A detail view shows a Colorado Rockies player standing at third base with the 'I Live For This' logo on the base during the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Coors Field on April 4, 2007 in Denver, Colorado. The Rockies won 11-4. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – JUNE 23: Raimel Tapia #7 of the Colorado Rockies returns to the dugout after getting thrown out in the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on June 23, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – JUNE 23: Raimel Tapia #7 of the Colorado Rockies returns to the dugout after getting thrown out in the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on June 23, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

Raimel Tapia

2017 salary: N/A

Contract status: Under team control until available for arbitration in 2020

I can picture certain Rockies fans (and media members as well) who can’t believe Raimel Tapia would even be included on this list. However, strip away the emotions and look at what Tap Time (as Colorado manager Bud Black refers to him as) brings not only to the Rockies but what he could bring in return.

Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies /

Colorado Rockies

There is no one in Colorado’s lineup who is producing the way that Tapia is right now (heading into Saturday’s game against the Chicago White Sox). I mean, come on, look at some of these numbers he’s been producing.

After starting his 2017 time with the Rockies 0-for-14, the 23-year-old left-handed-hitting Tapia has raised his average to .323 with a pair of homers and eight RBI. He’s hit in seven different spots in the order, proving he is versatile.

Trade potential: If the Rockies were to trade him, there’s no better time than the present. He’s producing at the plate and has shown off his speed on several occasions. Tapia could absolutely be viewed as one of Colorado’s building blocks for the future … or one of their most delicious assets in the eyes of other teams.

He’s an outfielder who has proven he can make an impact at the Major League level. Tapia as part of a package could be enticing enough to a team that it could land the Rockies a solid starting pitcher or key piece who could solidify the bullpen.

Will it happen? Probably not. With Tapia until team control until 2020, that’s a huge plus. Could it happen? Hey, anything’s possible. Make no mistake, other teams will ask about him at the deadline when deals are being made. If the Rockies are in win-now mode at the deadline, a move involving Tapia could be very alluring.

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