Colorado Rockies: Trade targets if they were to be buyers

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BALTIMORE, MD – JUNE 16: J.T. Realmuto #11 of the Miami Marlins hits a two-run homerun during the third inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on June 16, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

The trade deadline is slowly approaching and we are just now seeing teams really pick up the pace with making trades. The biggest blockbuster thus far has been Manny Machado being dealt to the Los Angeles Dodgers. However, so far, the Colorado Rockies have been quiet.

With the Colorado Rockies still in the hunt for a playoff berth, it’s time to look over who they could possibly target if they were to be buyers at the deadline.

J.T. Realmuto

J.T. Realmuto is a serious possible trade target for a team like the Colorado Rockies. With the way Bud Black continues to rotate the three catchers he has on the 25-man roster, one is to believe he doesn’t have faith in just one to start every day. Realmuto would be a solid alternative since he’s only 27 and the Rockies would have control over him until 2021, leaving his salary to not be a bank-breaker.

He’s having a good season with the Miami Marlins with a slash line of .313/.367/.540 along with 12 home runs and 45 RBI. He’s played in 70 games thus far with no errors this season. He’s been fairly consistent, comparing his past few seasons with the Marlins. Consistency is, of course, something the Rockies need, but with the solid numbers Realmuto puts up every year. Playing good ball this year got him to his first-ever All-Star game and he’ll most likely stay on that path.

The Miami Marlins are obviously entering an era of rebuilding and most likely want to rebuild around a young core of prospects with potential. Due to this, guys like J.T. Realmuto will likely be traded to teams that are trying to contend. They already had a serious fire sale in the offseason when Derek Jeter took over the team. Because of that, they’ve been getting prospects in return for big-name stars like Christian Yelich, Giancarlo Stanton, Marcell Ozuna, and Dee Gordon. The Colorado Rockies would mostly have to give up some prospects. However their farm system is ripe with tons of potential that a trade like this wouldn’t damage too much.

Though, like most trades, we all begin to wonder would this trade really be worth it? Yes, the Rockies don’t have a solid everyday starting catcher. Chris Iannetta is mediocre at best while Tony Wolters still needs development time. With those two going back and forth, Tom Murphy isn’t going to see as much time as we’d all like to see. J.T. Realmuto is someone who can come in and really help with the offense as a position player.

LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 15: Jacob deGrom #48 and Noah Syndergaard #34 of the New York Mets watch from the dugout in the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in game five of the National League Division Series at Dodger Stadium on October 15, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

Two Mets (Pick one)

Here’s the thing about the Mets. With the way the Atlanta Braves and Washington Nationals are playing, there is no way that they will reach contention. Right now, they have an overload of starters. Two of them have been top targets since the season has started. The Colorado Rockies do need to find someone who can fill the role of ace because Jon Gray still isn’t cutting it right now.

Jacob deGrom or Noah Syndergaard

There is a slim to none chance that this could happen. This is only because of the fact that rumors are looming that deGrom wants to go long-term with the Mets. However, the Mets may not be feeling the same way because of the payout that he’ll most likely want. Whoever gets deGrom (if he were to be traded) will have control over him until 2021. He’s the perfect ace material pitcher a team like the Rockies need.

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deGrom is a two-time All-Star and is definitely showing that he’s got more in the tank. His pitching WAR is higher than any Rockies pitcher this season at 6.0. deGrom has been incredible this season despite not getting anything back from his team. He currently has a 1.68 ERA (pitching in 123.1 innings) along with 149 strikeouts. The crazy thing is we’ve only just started the second half of the season.

With the stats he is showing now, think about what he could do this half if he were with the Rockies. deGrom is easily a Cy Young candidate this season and could dominate the NL West as a Rockie.

Once again, here’s a total stretch, but it could be an idea in the making. Noah Syndergaard is another starter that is true ace material for the Colorado Rockies. If a trade were to happen, the Rockies would once again most likely have to give up a bundle of prospects in order to even capture the Mets’ attention.

Syndergaard is another ripe for the picking starter within the Mets organization. Like deGrom, Syndergaard was having a great year before his latest odd injury. He currently has a 6-1 record with a 2.89 ERA and 83 strikeouts in 74.2 innings so far. Over his past four years with the Mets, he’s been a force to be reckoned with and it appears that 2018 will be business as usual for him.

Syndergaard is second in command behind deGrom, but clearly ace material for a team that desperately needs a solid starter aka the Colorado Rockies.

Blake Snell

The New York Mets choices are a bit out of this world right now, especially with interest from other teams. So in order to balance out the trade targets, it’s imperative to add more realistic trade partners when looking for pitchers. The Tampa Bay Rays are yet another team in a rebuilding era and it’s high time that teams such as the Rockies think about becoming trade partners.

Blake Snell is having a great season despite being on a team that’s struggling. He currently has an ERA of 2.27 in 119 innings pitched, while he’s racked up 134 strikeouts. It’s been such a good year for him that he made the All-Star team for the first time in just three years of pitching. At 25, he’s on his way to becoming a top-tier pitcher … but only if with the right team. If the Rockies were to deal for him, they’d have control over him until 2023.

ANAHEIM, CA – MAY 11: Tyler Skaggs #45 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim pitches in the third inning of the game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Angel Stadium on May 11, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

Two Angels (Pick One…again)

The Angels have been flirting with contention on and off for the past two months. However, as of now, it doesn’t appear likely they will contend this season. With the pitching rotation most likely getting ready for an upgrade, there are a few guys in the rotation who are great trade targets.

Andrew Heaney or Tyler Skaggs

Andrew Heaney is having a great season compared to his past two with the Angels. He has a 3.78 ERA while pitching in 102.1 innings. Along with that, he’s whiffed 102 batters while only walking 30. On the Angels depth chart, Heaney is listed as their first pitcher in the rotation. Heaney is still only at a six-figure salary and the Rockies would have control over him until 2021.

Left-handed pitcher Tyler Skaggs is the number two guy on the Angels rotation. If the Rox were to trade for him, they would have control until 2020.

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Skaggs is having his best year yet with a 2.68 ERA in just 104 innings pitched along with 106 strikeouts. At only 26, he’d fit in perfectly with the age group the Rockies currently have on the pitching staff. Skaggs shows true potential and would be a solid left-hander to have on the team. The Angels would most likely want some youngsters in exchange for him as well.

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