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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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NEW YORK, NY – MAY 04: Tony Wolters #14 of the Colorado Rockies connects on a solo home run in the sixth inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field on May 4, 2018 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – MAY 04: Tony Wolters #14 of the Colorado Rockies connects on a solo home run in the sixth inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field on May 4, 2018 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

Second, catching

It isn’t out of the realm of possibilities for the Rockies to go out and acquire a catcher at the trade deadline. After all, it worked well for Colorado last season when Jonathan Lucroy was acquired from the Texas Rangers. It shored up a position of need for the Rockies … who once again find themselves in need of upgrading behind the dish again in 2018.

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So far, Colorado catchers have struggled this season. Chris Iannetta, signed in the offseason to replace Lucroy, has forged a -0.4 WAR this season while putting together a .227/.327/.381 slash line in 63 games. Tony Wolters is hitting just .156 with a -0.1 WAR in 45 games. Tom Murphy, viewed by many as the future for the Rockies behind the plate, at least has a 0.0 WAR in 21 games and has put together a .276/.300/.431 slash line in 58 at-bats.

Yes, the Rockies can do better behind the plate.

Potential fits

First of all, there is no reunion with Lucroy coming. Oakland is in the American League playoff hunt and will not be trading him back to Colorado. Let’s dispel that myth right now.

Miami’s J.T. Realmuto and Wilson Ramos of Tampa Bay are the two most notable trade targets for not only the Rockies, but a number of other teams who are looking to upgrade behind the plate. After that, the options drop off quickly in terms of talent.

Outside of these two players, it’s hard to see anyone who might be worth the Rockies giving up a prospect.

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