Colorado Rockies trade rumors: Brandon Kintzler to Denver?

The Minnesota Twins are 50-53 and in third place in the American League Central, seven games back in the division and five back in the Wild Card. This is a result of their slow start out of the All-Star break in which they are 5-10. A 10-game winning streak by the first place Cleveland Indians and a nine-game winning streak the second place Kansas City Royals didn’t help the Twins so they are now looking to sell. One of those pieces that looks like they will be traded in the next four hours is reliever Kintzler.

According to Mike Berardino of the St.Paul Pioneer-Press on Twitter, Twins reliever Brandon Kintzler is relief commodity that the Rockies are looking at:

Numerous other reports have confirmed that the Twins will most likely trade Kintzler by 2 PM MST.

Kintzler in 2017

Kintzler is a reliever that we have not discussed on Rox Pile yet because, as mentioned above, the Twins have just recently decided to sell. Kintzler has had an excellent 2017 season. He has a 2-2 record with a 2.78 ERA in 45 games pitched. He leads the American League in games finished (41) and he is second in the American League in saves (with 28).

He was a first-time All-Star this season and he’s currently in his second season with Minnesota. Before that, he spent parts of six seasons in a Milwaukee Brewers uniform (with only two seasons with more than 14 games with them).

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Kintzler at Coors Field

He has only pitched in four innings at Coors Field but he has a 4.50 ERA with seven hits and two runs allowed. Hitters are 7-for-19 against him at Coors (.389 batting average).

Kintzler’s contract

He is only a rental option as he is only signed through the rest of the season. He is also only owed around $1 million for the rest of the season.

Next: What the Rockies deal for Jonathan Lucroy means

Final Thoughts

Getting Kintzler would be an excellent move for the Rockies as he shouldn’t be too expensive (in a trade or contract). However, the Rockies will have some competition for him (the Washington Nationals and Tampa Bay Rays are at least two of the other teams).

He would also provide some more depth in the bullpen and he could close, if needed too.