Colorado Rockies mock trade: How we landed Carlos Santana
By Kevin Henry
As the FanSided Faux Winter Meetings gear up and mock trades are considered throughout FanSided’s network of baseball sites, we decided to see (in a mock trade, of course) if we could land a first baseman who could help the Colorado Rockies. We also wanted to do it with the thought of the Rockies winning now and not waiting for “someday.” We believe we accomplished the goal … but we want to see what you think.
Working with our friends at the Philadelphia Phillies FanSided site, we landed first baseman Carlos Santana in a deal that would send Colorado Rockies prospects Terrin Vavra and Ben Bowden to the Phillies. Yes, both Vavra and Bowden are listed among the top 15 prospects, but we also believe that, with Nolan Arenado‘s contract uncertainty past this season, it was worth taking a chance on Santana coming to the Rockies.
We also asked the Phillies to kick in about $17 million of Santana’s remaining contract so that it wouldn’t be a complete cash drain on the Rockies, especially with Arenado’s decision lurking.
Why would we make this move? Well, we know that the Phillies are reportedly “shopping the hell” out of Santana this offseason in order to make a deal. We also know the Rockies could certainly use the upgrade at first base. On the surface, it seems to be a good fit for both teams.
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Last season, Santana hit just .229 but posted double-digit RBI in each month except for September when he drove in nine runs. In all, he posted 24 homers and 86 RBI in what many considered to be a disappointing season for him in his first year in the National League. He averaged .249 in his eight seasons in Cleveland prior to signing a three-year, $60 million deal last offseason.
Santana is set to make roughly $41 million over the next two seasons, so the $17 million as part of the deal makes that now a two-year, $24 million with the Rockies with a club option for 2021 at $17.5 million.
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The mock move would shift Ian Desmond to the outfield and could possibly move Ryan McMahon to second base if DJ LeMahieu does not return to the Rockies.
Of course, it’s all in theory … but we believe this mock trade would improve the Rockies and help them not only reach the postseason again but perhaps go even further than they did last season.
What about you? What are your thoughts? Would you make this trade? Let us know below in the comments section.