Colorado Rockies: As trade deadline looms, they are buyers

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SAN FRANCISCO, CA – SEPTEMBER 19: Manager Bud Black #10 of the Colorado Rockies looks on from the dugout against the San Francisco Giants in the bottom of the third inning at AT&T Park on September 19, 2017 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

Don’t look now, but the National League West is getting crowded again.

The volatile Arizona Diamondbacks refuse to take the reins of the division, leaving the Colorado Rockies just four games back at 43-42. Last weekend, the Rockies showed the Los Angeles Dodgers the division isn’t there’s for the taking, then they came home and swept the San Francisco Giants.

This surge leaves the Rockies part of a classic July ritual: the buyers vs. sellers debate. A.J. Cassavell of MLB.com took on the buyer vs. seller question for every NL West team and said the Rockies are “TBD.” It depends on how the team performs in some difficult upcoming series. Fair enough.

But Patrick Karraker of the MLB Daily Dish is already putting the Rockies “buyers” category. Not because he thinks the Rockies are primed for a run, but because “teams that are even vaguely in the playoff race at the deadline tend to operate based on hope rather than logic.”

Well, the Rockies are giving me permission to hope. I believe they should be buyers — albeit cautious buyers.

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The Rockies have the pieces to make a legitimate run at the postseason and play meaningful September baseball. The offense is slashing .271/.324/.458 in the last 30 days and getting contributions from all parts of the lineup. The bullpen is recovering from a miserable June. And the starting rotation has been stellar of late, posting a 2.34 ERA in the past 12 games.

So, the Rockies are cautious buyers. But what are they buying?

First of all, the biggest mistake would be selling the farm for a shot at glory in 2018. Top prospects like Brendan Rodgers, Garrett Hampson, Jordan Patterson and Riley Pint are off limits, as they should play a critical role in a (hopefully) multi-year contention window. As a result, don’t expect the Rockies to go after the sexiest trade targets.

CHICAGO, IL – APRIL 25: Jose Abreu #79 of the Chicago White Sox bats against the Seattle Mariners at Guaranteed Rate Field on April 25, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. The Mariners defeated the Whtie Sox 4-3. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

One thing the Rockies can do is pursue a “real” first baseman. Ian Desmond is performing admirably at the position, but he’d serve the Rockies better as a powerful right-handed bat in the corner outfield. If Pat Valaika is starting at first when Gerardo Parra or Carlos Gonzalez take the night off, that’s a sign this team needs some depth.

A subject of endless speculation, the obvious target is José Abreu of the Chicago White Sox. He is slashing .265/.323/.463 in 2018, all below his career average, while the White Sox are one of the worst teams in baseball. This could make Abreu a buy-low option.

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There’s also journeyman Lucas Duda, currently slashing 245/.307/.405 (with six home runs) for the woeful Kansas City Royals. Those numbers aren’t inspiring, but his ground ball rate of just 27.7 percent would play well at Coors Field. And if the Rockies want more of a utility infielder, they could try and snag the hot-hitting Asdrúbal Cabrera (.284/.332/.489, 15 homers) of the free-falling New York Mets.

Matt Adams of the Washington Nationals is another intriguing (albeit a long-shot) option at first base. He’s slashing .275/.351/.575 with 13 home runs in just 57 games played. Like the Rockies, the Nationals are sitting awkwardly around .500, though heading in the wrong direction. If they fall too far behind the Braves or the Phillies, one could imagine them seeking offers for the 29-year-old power-hitter.

Meanwhile, GM Jeff Bridich is considering a veteran arm for the rotation, according to Thomas Harding of MLB.com. The loss of Chad Bettis to the 10-day disabled list and bizarre uncertainty surrounding Jon Gray enhance the appeal of a solid veteran starter. Bridich acknowledged it’s too early to make any moves: “We will have a better idea in the next 2-3 weeks.”

If the Rockies decide to go after a veteran starter, they would give up too much for guys like Jacob deGrom or Cole Hamels. But other intriguing names are still being thrown around. As the Toronto Blue Jays fall hopelessly behind the Yankees and Red Sox, they could be willing to part with leftie J.A. Happ or right-handed Marco Estrada. Estrada is having a solid year, with an ERA of 4.72 and a FIP of 4.55, and his ground ball rate is an enticing 54.3 percent. Happ’s ERA is 4.03 with a FIP of 3.64, though his peripheral stats aren’t quite as “Coors friendly.”

The Los Angeles Angels could also shop right-hander Garrett Richards if the Angels fall out of contention. Richards has an injury history that could scare off bigger contenders, but his numbers are impressive: a 3.42 ERA, 3.91 FIP and career-best 10.51 strikeouts-per-nine innings.

Next: Counterpoint: Why the Rockies should be sellers

The Rockies still have 77 games left to play in the regular season. If they want 78 or more, they’ll have to act like contenders in July — both on and off the field.

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Don’t look now, but the National League West is getting crowded again.

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