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Colorado Rockies trade talk: Ranking the team’s top three needs

By Kevin Henry

ANAHEIM, CA - MAY 18: Wilson Ramos #40 of the Tampa Bay Rays is greeted in the dugout after a two run home run in the third inning of the game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Angel Stadium on May 18, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - MAY 18: Wilson Ramos #40 of the Tampa Bay Rays is greeted in the dugout after a two run home run in the third inning of the game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Angel Stadium on May 18, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
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Adam Ottavino of the Colorado Rockies
PITTSBURGH, PA – APRIL 16: Adam Ottavino #0 of the Colorado Rockies pitches in the ninth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on April 16, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

First, relief pitching

Yes, it sounds crazy, but the Rockies could add another arm in the bullpen and benefit in a big way. Adam Ottavino has had an All-Star-caliber season and Scott Oberg has come on nicely in recent outings, but there still are some issues with “the bridge” between Colorado’s starters and the back end of the bullpen.

As Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post pointed out in this article, if Colorado can find a “seventh-inning guy,” it could make a world of difference. Chris Rusin was so good as a Swiss army knife for the Rockies last season, filling in as a situational pitcher or long reliever if needed. However, it’s been a completely different season for Rusin this year as he has struggled to a 6.81 ERA and has walked 20 batters in 39.2 innings (compared to 19 in 85 innings last season).

Potential fits

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Could a Kyle Barraclough (currently with 10 saves for Miami) or Jared Hughes (with a 1.59 ERA for Cincinnati) be fits for this position. Quite possibly. With the Rockies tied into the Zach Britton rumors as well, he could be a fit here (even though he has been Baltimore’s closer in recent years when healthy).

Potential in-house solutions

Colorado’s starting rotation is getting ready to be crowded with Chad Bettis and German Marquez returning soon. Could Bettis be moved to the bullpen? What about Marquez or Antonio Senzatela? There has even been talk of Jon Gray in the bullpen when he was struggling mightily earlier this season. Could Harrison Musgrave grow into this role? What about Carlos Estevez, who will be returning soon from injury?

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