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

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.

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.

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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.