Colorado Rockies: What Ian Desmond's hot streak means for the team

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PHILADELPHIA, PA – JUNE 13: Ian Desmond #20 of the Colorado Rockies rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run in the fourth inning during a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on June 13, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images) /

The Colorado Rockies have been floating around .500 lately, which is worsse than the Rockies and their fans hoped. One person that struggled for the first two months of the season was first baseman Ian Desmond. During that stretch (and for nearly all off the 2017 season as well), Desmond was criticized (and deservedly so) for his struggles. However, with his recent hot stretch, does it change the Rockies outlook on the trade deadline?

Ian Desmond had a terrible first 62 games of his season. From the start of the season through June 9 (62 games), Desmond had an awful start, with a .190/.263/.389, a BABIP of .203 and a wRC+ of 59.

In fact his first six weeks put him on pace for the worst season in MLB history.

However, in the 23 games since June 9, Desmond has turned the corner. He has a slash line of .284/.370/.556, a BABIP of .378, and a wRC+ of 134. She also has six home runs and 15 RBI in that span. If he kept up for a 162 game slate, he would have 43 home runs and 106 RBI, which isn’t bad at all.

With his performance being much better of late, as well as the team’s as they are 6-1 in their last seven games, it could create an interesting dilemma for the team.

As of now, the Rockies have yet to determine whether or not they want to be buyers or sellers at the trade deadline. Entering Friday, they are tied for third place in the NL West, only 3.5 games back of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks for a virtual tie for first (the Dodgers have one less win but also one less loss but by winning percentage, they technically lead the division). The Rockies are also only 4.5 games back of the second National League Wild Card spot.

Depending on how Desmond continues playing for the month of July (and maybe even August) as well as how the team plays in that span, there are a few situations that the team could find themselves in.

Let’s go through them.

DENVER, CO – JUNE 20: Ryan McMahon #24 of the Colorado Rockies watches his three run home run along with with catcher Devin Mesoraco #29 of the New York Mets during the fifth inning at Coors Field on June 20, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /

Desmond plays well but the team does not

If Ian Desmond continues his pace or, perhaps, even picks up his production in the upcoming weeks, the Rockies may be able to find a trade partner for him. They may want to get out from underneath all (or some) of the contract if somebody is willing to take him. And if he’s playing well, the other team would be more inclined to take him.

The Rockies would not get much in the way of prospects but they could devote the money from the Desmond contract to a free agent this offseason, a trade for somebody that makes a lot this offseason, or dedicating the money to an extension of a player.

Including the rest of this season, the Rockies owe Desmond roughly $48 million, plus the team option (or buyout) for the 2022 season which would put the remainder of his contract in the ballpark of $50 million to $65 million. It obviously wouldn’t completely cover an extension for somebody like Nolan Arenado (who is a free agent after next season) but it would provide a decent chunk of money.

They still could hang on to him but if somebody is willing to take him, it would give the Rockies an opportunity to provide somebody in the minor leagues, like Ryan McMahon, with some much needed experience at the major league level.

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) /

Desmond doesn’t play well and the team does play well

This situation is perhaps the most perplexing as the team could go multiple ways in this situation alone. If Desmond doesn’t play well (like how he was the first two months of the season), the Rockies could just stick with them in their lineup, like Bud Black did, to the chagrin of most fans.

They could also decide to trade for a first baseman before the trade deadlines (either the non-waiver deadline on July 31 or the waiver trade deadline on August 31). Some names that have been mentioned as possibly being on the market are Jose Abreu, Logan Morrison, Lucas Duda, Matt Olson, Justin Smoak, Joey Gallo, Justin Bour, and Matt Carpenter (who is a third baseman but has played some first too).

There are also players like Adrian Gonzalez and Hanley Ramirez, who are first basemen that are currently free agents, who the Rockies could sign.

The Rockies could also turn to somebody currently in the organization, like Gerardo Parra, Ryan McMahon, or perhaps even Jordan Patterson.

Desmond doesn’t play well and the team doesn’t play well

This is obviously the worst case scenario. The team would most likely be (or at least should be) sellers. But they would definitely not be able to trade Desmond.

They would have to decide whether or not they would want to run him out there everyday or give way to younger players, like Ryan McMahon.

PHILADELPHIA, PA – JUNE 13: Ian Desmond #20 of the Colorado Rockies high-fives Tom Murphy #23 after hitting a two-run home run in the fourth inning during a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on June 13, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images) /

Desmond plays well and so does the team

This is obviously the best case scenario. If both the team and Desmond keep playing how they have been in the past week or so, who knows, the Rockies may vie for the NL West crown.

It should be noted that the Rockies face the Diamondbacks 13 more times, including three times next week at Coors and three times coming right out of the All-Star break at Chase Field. In their previous six appearances, the Rockies are 1-5 against them.

They also face the Dodgers ten more times, all of which come August 9 or after. The Rockies are 3-6 in their first nine games against them this season.

They also face the Giants, the team who is currently tied with the Rockies, six more times, all of which are in September.

So, in other words, the Rockies face the teams currently tied or ahead of them in 29 of their remaining 75 games, or about 39 percent of their remaining games. Obviously, those games are extremely important for the Rockies.

Both Desmond and the Rockies will try to maintain their recent play in Seattle this weekend. Our own Kevin Henry will be there in Seattle with the coverage from Safeco Field for the series so stay tuned both here and on our Twitter page, @RoxPileFS, for coverage throughout the series.

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Colorado Rockies: What Ian Desmond’s hot streak means for the team

Desmond plays well but the team does not

Desmond doesn’t play well and the team does play well

Desmond doesn’t play well and the team doesn’t play well

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