Colorado Rockies: At the deadline, the club must be sellers

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DENVER, CO – JULY 25: Troy Tulowitzki #2 of the Colorado Rockies reacts after flying out in the seventh inning of a game against the Cincinnati Reds at Coors Field on July 25, 2015 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

Last year, in the midst of a contending first half, the Colorado Rockies found themselves as buyers. This season, however, the team is fighting to keep its head above water.

The 2017 Major League Baseball season was one of success for the Rockies. Finally finding the postseason for the first time in nearly a decade, the club made baseball fun again in the Mile High City.

During the midpoint of the season, the team found themselves in a unique position to buy, as the trade deadline arrived. In years past the Rockies have been involved in some significant trades. The Matt Holliday-for-Carlos Gonzalez swap worked well, while selling the former golden boy of the club, Troy Tulowitzki, in 2016, did not.

Nevertheless, the team is back in the passengers’ seat this season. Following a relatively fair start, the Rockies are in another nosedive, having lost four of sixand eight of the last ten within the National League West. They currently sit 8 games behind the Arizona Diamondbacks, needing to put it back together.

As we enter July, and the midway point of the regular season, there will foreseeably be many contending teams as buyers. The Rockies, however, should see themselves as sellers.

CHICAGO, IL – MAY 01: David Dahl #26 of the Colorado Rockies runs the bases after hitting a home run against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning on May 1, 2018 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images) /

Future faces of the franchise

The Rockies have nearly always managed to find a way on how to keep a farm system stacked. As such, if you look at the top one-hundred prospect list, the Rockies possess a top ten player in Brendan Rodgers and four total.

As the teams’ outfield has always found itself to be the depth-heavy position, the future faces are slowly working their way into the limelight. David Dahl finally sees some quality playing time, and Noel Cuevas has done his best to provide an offensive spark.

Unfortunately, much of their playing time is being taken over by the likes of Gerardo Parra and Carlos Gonzalez. Beginning with Gerardo Parra, he has had a respectable three seasons since signing with the Rockies. Parra, during the span, is slashing .286/.316/.424 with 22 HR and 147 RBI. The second man needs no introduction. Carlos Gonzalez, or “CarGo,” has forever cemented his placeholder in Rockies history. That being said, it is time for them to go.

This past offseason, after failing to find a long-term deal, Carlos Gonzalez signed back with the Rockies on a one year/$8 million contract and surprisingly has done okay for himself. Gonzalez is currently slashing .268/.319/.437 with 7 HR and 29 RBI. He has been worth -0.1 WAR.

DENVER, CO – APRIL 09: Carlos Gonzalez #5 of the Colorado Rockies circles the bases after hitting a 2 RBI home run in the sixth inning against the San Diego Padres at Coors Field on April 9, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

Surprisingly, Gonzalez is playing well enough to doubt all the naysayers during the offseason. Many fans were against the idea of Gonzalez returning. However, he has done his part concerning his contract. However, Gonzalez is 32 years old and seemingly on the last leg of his contract. The Rockies are not in contention currently, so holding onto “CarGo” seems silly. Even for sentimental value.

Many times before the team has had the opportunity to pull the trigger on a trade. Moving toward a more youthful future now might be the time to get a deal done.

Conversely, despite the respectable average and production from Parra, he has struggled to stay healthy during his Rockies tenure. When Parra is healthy, he is fantastic. Also, last season in 115 games, Parra finished with a line of .309/.341/.452 with 10 HR and 71 RBI. It, however, is the outlier.

Similar to Gonzalez, it is time to find a partner for Parra. For the first time in the last three seasons for the club, Parra has been incredibly consistent and staying healthy (knock on wood). It would be, for this reason, an excellent time to dump him.

Parra is nearly the same age as Gonzalez and finds the young buck Noel Cuevas on his heels. Cuevas is still getting his feet wet at the major league level. However, Cuevas has seen himself as the catalyst for some big hits for the rookie and can carry his own. Its time the Rockies decided to find out.

DENVER, CO – JUNE 9: DJ LeMahieu #9 of the Colorado Rockies hits a 2-run homerun in the fourth inning of a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Coors Field on June 9, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

Other offensive firepower could be on the move

Concerning the rest of the offense, concerning the trade deadline, there is one more player the Rockies could potentially move. Many will not like this take as he is a fan favorite. However, there is no better time than now to find a deal involving D.J. LeMahieu.

LeMahieu has been one of the biggest offensive weapons the Rockies have possessed in the last handful of seasons. Always consistent, the team and fans alike can rely on his bat. Nevertheless, with the likes of Brendan Rodgers waiting like a rabid dog, as well as LeMahieu in his final contract year, finding value in a trade now would be a boon for the future.

The All-Star second baseman signed a one year/$8 million dollar this past offseason to stay in the Mile High City. Now, though, heading into next season will be an entirely different story. LeMahieu is set to become a free-agent and will assumedly receive a mega-deal from someone in need of a player like him.

The future of Brendan Rodgers is closer than many people think. By the start of Spring Training, it would not be a surprise if Rodgers worked his way onto the Opening Day roster next year. Trading LeMahieu to a contending team could bring back a nice return, as well as allow the move for Rodgers.

ARLINGTON, TX – JUNE 17: Gerardo Parra #8 of the Colorado Rockies catches a fly ball off the bat of Nomar Mazara of the Texas Ranger to end the first inning at Globe Life Park in Arlington on June 17, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) /

Who should be on the move?

There are many moving parts on the team currently hindering the future faces opportunities to see playing time. For a team moving more into the future, selling Gerardo Parra and Carlos Gonzalez make sense in this situation.

D.J. LeMahieu is in the final year of his Rockies contract. The team, however, can find him a new home at the deadline, as he is set to be a free-agent after this season, and the team should maximize his value as best as possible.

Concerning the bullpen, as it has also become a problematic issue for the team, the Rockies need to make names available. Adam Ottavino is someone who may be on his way out, as a possible trade option, however, it would surprise little if the Rockies did hold on to him.

The two who the Rockies should look at moving is Bryan Shaw and Jake McGee. First, Shaw has been downright embarrassing, pitching to an asinine 7.57 ERA. Shaw has posted a porous 11.6% walk percentage rate as well as 2.02 HR/9.

McGee, on the other hand, has been a little better but not much. McGee is struggling as well, posting a 5.90 ERA to this point in the season. His strikeout percentage is entirely a bit less too, down nearly five percent. McGee has worn out his welcome in Colorado.

However, getting rid of the two (especially with their contracts) would be difficult.

Final Thoughts

It does not feel difficult in seeing this franchise as a seller at the deadline. The N.L. West has indeed been a giant dumpster fire throughout the first half of the season, however as the Rockies continue to fall, the Diamondbacks and Dodgers continue to rise.

Holding onto the likes of some of the names on this list would be a disservice to both the club and the fans. The Rockies are not currently a contending team. They are on the rise. However, it will not be the case until next season, and maybe the season after.

Next: The Rockies have one of the best pitchers in the NL

Making moves now will help clear the path for the likes of Noel Cuevas, David Dahl, and Brendan Rodgers. The team can acquire more capital as well. It is soon that we will see the future. May as well as not wait.

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Colorado Rockies: At the trade deadline, the club must be sellers

Last year, in the midst of a contending first half, the Colorado Rockies found themselves as buyers. This season, however, the team is fighting to keep its head above water.

Future faces of the franchise

Other offensive firepower could be on the move

More from Rox Pile

Who should be on the move?

Final Thoughts

Schedule