Colorado Rockies: If you can’t beat Jacob deGrom, trade for him

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The Assets

For starters, the Rockies have three prospects in the top 100: Brendan Rodgers (29), Ryan McMahon (31), and Peter Lambert (63). The idea of giving up either Rodgers or McMahon is painful to consider, however with Trevor Story locking down short and Ian Desmond finding a home at 1B (with a contract that makes him untradeable), they’re both blocked at the major league level. 2B could be an option for either Rodgers or McMahon next year, depending on what happens with DJ LeMahieu’s impending free agency, but certainly one or the other would have to be included.

David Dahl and Noel Cuevas are two names that are also sure to be talked about that already have some major league experience. Dahl is currently on the DL (again) and doesn’t have a clear starting job when he comes back and Cuevas has performed serviceably in his role as a right-handed option off the bench. Other options include prospects just outside the top 100 like Riley Pint, Colton Welker, Ryan Vilade, or Tyler Nevin or former prospects like Raimel Tapia and Jeff Hoffman.

On paper, a package like Rodgers, McMahon, Dahl, and Pint could be enough to pry deGrom away. It is possible, however, that the Mets would want younger players like Welker or Vilade instead as they stock up for the long road back to relevancy. It is also possible that a team willing to part with prospects higher up on the list could overbid Colorado, like if Cleveland were to dangle Francisco Mejia (7) and Triston McKenzie (19).

The Outcome

deGrom could play well at Coors – or as well as any pitcher can. He’s got excellent velocity, keeps balls on the ground, doesn’t walk anyone, and doesn’t rely on big breaking stuff. This is essentially the mold for a successful Coors Field pitcher, if such a thing exists.

Will the Mets decide to deal deGrom? Possibly not.
Will the Rockies go after him if they do? Probably not.
Should these two teams make a deal? Definitely.

The Rockies organization has a giant deGrom-sized hole in it that has never truly been filled. Maybe by Ubaldo Jimenez for one sweet season and a half, but still – Ubaldo was never the pitcher that deGrom is.

Next: An open letter to Bud Black

Meanwhile, Mets lack of support for deGrom is painful for any fan to watch and must be sheer agony for one of the best pitchers on the planet to live through. Bring deGrom to Colorado and both organizations win, the player wins, and the fans can start getting ready for Rocktober ’18.