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

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NEW YORK, NY – MAY 06: Ian Desmond #20 of the Colorado Rockies connects on a solo home run in the first inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field on May 6, 2018 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

Plenty has come out in recent hours about the Colorado Rockies potentially pursuing some arms at the upcoming trade deadline. The Rockies have been linked to Kevin Gausman, Dylan Bundy and Zach Britton of the Baltimore Orioles while one national writer said the Rockies were looking at pitchers from multiple teams.

So with all of these sudden rumors, that means that the Rockies should go after pitching at the trade deadline, right? It’s crazy to think about after an offseason where Colorado spent big money on Jake McGee, Wade Davis and Bryan Shaw to form a “super bullpen,” but the Rockies may be getting ready to spend more resources (including some prospects) to acquire another piece to the bullpen.

A month ago, if you had asked Rockies fans what they thought the Rockies needed to do at the trade deadline, many would have responded that Colorado should go after a first baseman. Ian Desmond started the season in, shall we say, a less-than-desirable way, hitting .154 in April and .215 in May. However, just as he improved from April to May, he has also gotten better in every month since then, hitting .261 in June and .339 so far in July. With 19 homers and 58 RBI and an OPS of .777 (not earth-shattering but better than his .509 OPS in April), Colorado doesn’t have a first baseman at the top of its list … or so it seems.

So what are the priorities for the Rockies as the trade deadline approaches? Let’s take a look at the top 3…

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

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.

PHOENIX, AZ – OCTOBER 04: Starting pitcher Jon Gray #55 of the Colorado Rockies warms up before the start of the National League Wild Card game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on October 4, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Third, starting pitching

After relief pitching and catching, the “this makes sense for the Rockies” list drops off considerably. Starting pitching is listed here for one simple reason. If the Rockies can land someone who could step in as their “ace” or the pitcher they would trust in a one-game playoff, that’s one thing. However, if they are trading for a starter to be a third or fourth guy in the rotation, it doesn’t make as much sense.

Why? Because, as we discussed earlier, Colorado already has plenty of starters. Sure, some of those can be moved to the bullpen, but unless a pitcher from another organization is a clear upgrade, it doesn’t make sense to make a move just to make a move.

As has been discussed in several spots, including this article, the one name who might make sense in this category is Jacob deGrom of the New York Mets. There are few names out there who might tempt the Rockies to part with some of their top prospects and deGrom is definitely one of them.

Next: Why the Rockies don't need to acquire another outfielder

Colorado’s starting rotation has been strong in recent games. Adding an “ace” into that mix would be impressive. However, the likelihood of that happening instead of the Rockies adding on at another position seems unlikely.

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