Colorado Rockies: A potential trade proposal with the Chicago White Sox

Yesterday, Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports and MLB Network had an article in which he had a dozen trades that he thinks should happen…and one involves the Colorado Rockies and a popular trade target for the team.

The Colorado Rockies, at first base, have just been awful this season. You know it, I know it, and the front office knows it. We all know it’s because Ian Desmond has not been good in his play there. So, to solve the issue, the Rockies, realistically, need to acquire a first baseman.

Somebody that could be moved and the Rockies could desperately use is first baseman Jose Abreu. Here is the proposal that the Heyman put forth for getting Abreu.

To Colorado: First baseman Jose Abreu, relief pitcher Nate Jones

To Chicago: Infielder Ryan McMahon, pitcher Riley Pint

A look at Abreu

He is in his fifth season in the major leagues and in his four full seasons, he has hit at least 25 home runs and at least 100 RBI in each season. He has averaged 31 home runs and 102 RBI overall with a .301/.359/.524 slash line with an OPS+ of 142.

This season, he is on pace for 29 home runs and 97 RBI with a slash line of .298/.360/.522, which is, essentially, what he has averaged in his career.

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Nate Jones

Jones is a right-handed reliever who can throw 100 MPH. He has had some injuries in the past, as he only played in 21 games between the 2015 and 2015 seasons and he only played in 11 games last season. However, when he has played full seasons, he has been excellent.

In 2012, he pitched in 65 games, he had an ERA of 2.39.

In 2013, he pitched in 70 games and had an ERA of 4.15, but his ERA+ was 101 and his FIP says that he was much better than that, as it was 2.64.

In 2016, in 71 games, he had an ERA of 2.29.

In 2018, in 21 games thus far, he has an ERA of 3.10.

He is a free agent after the season but the thing is, when he only pitched a few games in 2017, he was out because elbow surgery. As a result of having elbow surgery (and elbow surgery specifically), the two team options and one mutual option for 2021 change drastically.

For 2019, he would have had a team option for $4.65 million. With the elbow surgery, the option is for league minimum salary.

For 2020, his team option for $5.15 million changes to an option for $3.75 million and the $6 million mutual option for 2021 becomes a team option for $4.25 million. For each of the three seasons, there is a buyout for $1.25 million.

Final Thoughts

In my mind, if the Rockies were to able to pull this off, as Heyman presented, and White Sox GM Rick Hahn says “yes, we’ll do it,” he would be run out of Chicago for not getting enough for them.

WARNING: HOT TAKE!

Riley Pint isn’t going to make it to the major leagues…ever. Is he only 20 years old? Yes…but he is 3-17 in 34 starts…at Rookie-ball and A-ball…with an ERA of 5.59. He has walked 84 in 130 1/3 innings.

He hasn’t even pitched a full inning this season as in the first inning of his first start, he was pulled with a forearm strain. He, conceivably, might not even be back this season.

So, in my mind at least, you are getting a middle of the order first baseman and a good, controllable reliever…for Ryan McMahon. Even if Pint does make it to the major leagues, it will be at least four years away, and not a contributor for the Rockies today, who could conceivably win the NL West as the Dodgers and Diamondbacks are just treading water.

Next: A look at the trade market for starting pitchers

I think the Rockies would have to give up more but if Jeff Bridich were to be able to do this, I think he would do it in a heartbeat (as would I). If he wouldn’t, maybe he should be the one that should be run out of town.