Colorado Rockies rumors: Could these five players help the Rockies?

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DENVER, CO – JULY 22: Scoreboard workers peek their heads out to wave to the crowd during a game between the Miami Marlins and Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on July 22, 2013 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /

Currently locked in a battle for first place in the National League West, the Colorado Rockies are once again expected to contend for a postseason berth this season. Much like last season, the Rockies are also expected to boost their chances for meaningful baseball in October by making some deals near or at Major League Baseball’s trade deadline on July 31.

Last season, the Rockies fortified their bullpen by bringing in reliever Pat Neshek and boosted themselves behind the plate by trading for catcher Jonathan Lucroy. Neither player was on the 2018 Rockies roster so, yes, they were essentially rental players. However, they were players who made a big difference as the Rockies held off the Milwaukee Brewers for the final NL Wild Card spot.

Who could the Rockies be targeting this season at the trade deadline? It’s little secret that Colorado needs to improve at first base. We went through some potential candidates for that position in this article. But what about the other positions and who might some of the players be who could help Rocktober once again happen in 2018?

A recent article by Jon Heyman on FanRagSports.com listed the 20 top trade candidates and where they might land. In this article, we will take a look at the names mentioned that were associated with potentially coming to Colorado and the likelihood that they might actually end up with the Rockies.

Note: All statistics listed on subsequent pages were for games heading into Tuesday, May 22.

Jonathan Lucroy

Now with the Oakland A’s after a very late offseason signing, the 31-year-old Lucroy is having a decent season, posting a slash line of .281/.348/.367 in 128 at-bats spanning 37 games. He was also behind the plate for the no-hitter thrown by Sean Manaea back in April.

Lucroy’s numbers this season are better than what is being posted by Chris Iannetta and Tony Wolters currently in Colorado. After an offseason where the Rockies chose to sign Iannetta partially because the price tag was more appealing, it would seem strange to bring Lucroy back, especially with Tom Murphy currently slashing in Triple-A and looking for another chance to prove himself at the Major League level.

Jose Abreu

This could well be the prized midseason grab for the Rockies if they can make it happen. We have talked about Abreu and what he could bring to Colorado at first base quite a bit, including this article. There are several big reasons why he is on the target list and one of the biggest is the well-documented lack of production the Rockies have received from Ian Desmond, Ryan McMahon and Pat Valaika at first this season.

The 31-year-old native of Cuba has put together a .304/.372/.530 slash line this year for the Chicago White Sox in 168 at-bats spanning 43 games. The OPS of .902 and OPS+ of 147 is mouth-watering to Rockies fans compared to the current possibilities at first on the Colorado roster.

Heyman lists the Rockies as the best bet to land Abreu, with the New York Mets and Yankees expected to vie for his services as well. He also issues a warning that the White Sox would have to be “blown away to deal him.” The SouthSiders know they have a prized trade chip in Abreu and will likely be asking for a lot to deal him. Will the Rockies be willing to deal some of their top prospects in order to get him?

We say yes, yes they would. Colorado general manager Jeff Bridich knows there is a deficiency on the team at first base and knows the Rockies have a legitimate chance to win the division this season if they can plug that hole. Bringing Abreu to Denver is a likely scenario to happen, in our opinion.

Chris Archer

Yes, Heyman is talking about the Rockies looking at a starting pitcher to improve their rotation. While the Rockies aren’t the “best bet” to land Archer (that would be the Milwaukee Brewers, in Heyman’s opinion), they are on the list along with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Philadelphia Phillies, Seattle Mariners, Los Angeles Angels, San Francisco Giants and New York Mets.

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The 29-year-old right-hander is 3-3 this season with a 5.01 ERA and has allowed 61 hits in 59.1 innings. He was an All-Star last season while racking up 249 strikeouts in 201 innings. This season, he has 57 strikeouts in those 59.1 frames thrown.

He has started 30-plus games each of the last four seasons and has already made 10 starts in 2018, so he’s well on the way to once again showing himself to be durable.

There is a lot on Archer’s resume, but is he a fit in Colorado? The Rockies rotation has proven itself to often be formidable during the season’s early stages. Each Rockies starter has had his moments this season, including Kyle Freeland, who is 3-0 with a 1.35 ERA in May.

Colorado also has depth in the minors with Antonio Senzatela and Jeff Hoffman at the ready when needed. The Rockies parting with some of their prospects to land a starter just doesn’t seem to make as much sense as using those same prospects to boost another position on the field.

Wilson Ramos

Another catcher potentially linked to the Rockies and for good reason. As we discussed with Lucroy, bringing in another veteran catcher certainly crowds Colorado behind the plate. And, if the Rockies are going to bring in a veteran catcher, you would think they would bring one in who already knows the system and is familiar with the pitchers (Lucroy).

Ramos is putting together solid numbers (.283/.327/.449) but just doesn’t seem to be a fit in Colorado. The Rockies will likely ride with the options they have behind the plate … unless something extraordinary happens that would cause them to need a catcher. And, even then, it would likely be Lucroy who would be their first choice.

Mike Moustakas

Would the home runs be nice at Coors Field? Absolutely. Would the Rockies love to have another bat in their lineup to provide additional power? You better believe it. However, Moustakas has never played another position in his Major League career other than third base … and the Rockies already have a pretty good guy holding down the hot corner in Nolan Arenado.

Next: Could this trade with the Texas Rangers work?

Heyman says Moustakas can play first base … but the Rockies have already experimented with putting a player at a new position (Desmond) and it hasn’t gone the best so far. Bringing in Moustakas and trying him at first base in the middle of a pennant chase just doesn’t seem smart or likely.

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