Colorado Rockies: Looking at three outfield trade targets

TORONTO, ON - JULY 23: Max Kepler #26 of the Minnesota Twins makes a catch as he runs into the wall in the third inning during MLB game action against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on July 23, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - JULY 23: Max Kepler #26 of the Minnesota Twins makes a catch as he runs into the wall in the third inning during MLB game action against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on July 23, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
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Could the Colorado Rockies target Kevin Pillar?
TORONTO, ON – SEPTEMBER 24: Kevin Pillar #11 of the Toronto Blue Jays makes a sliding catch in the eighth inning during MLB game action against the Houston Astros at Rogers Centre on September 24, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)

It’s no secret that the Colorado Rockies are looking to add at least one more bat, and the same goes for the fact that the team will likely add one if not two outfielders into the mix for 2019 and beyond.

Whether it’s through free agency or trade, expect it to happen. So let’s take a look at the latter and discuss who the Colorado Rockies could look to add via trade this offseason.

Kevin Pillar – OF Toronto Blue Jays

The Rockies have dealt with the Blue Jays on trades in years past, as Jeff Bridich even snagged Seunghwan Oh during the stretch run this past year, and the Jays could be a team that the Rockies turn to this offseason to add some depth to the 2019 roster.

Kevin Pillar offers defense, and he would slot right into center field when all said and done, and whether you agree with them or not, the defensive metrics for Charlie Blackmon last season in centerfield did not make the bearded-wonder look very good, so an improvement on the defensive side of things in centerfield could end up paying dividends for Colorado, plus a move to a corner spot could alleviate some of the load that comes with manning center at Coors Field for Charlie Blackmon.

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Pillar had a less than stellar season on the offensive side of things in 2018, but he’s consistently performed well at the plate in the past. The only oddity of Pillar’s 2018 was his on-base percentage, which was a putrid .282. Other than that, he had a standard 15 home runs and 59 RBI and I’m confident that  a change of scenery, and 200 to 300 at-bats at Coors Field, would greatly improve his offensive prowess.

You may be thinking, why Kevin Pillar? Well, because he’s cheap, and he’d fit in well with this team. The soon-to-be 30-year-old Pillar has played on some very good teams and had a few deep playoff runs where he was the starting center fielder, and a guy who has done it before is always someone you want in your room. This would be a depth move, and by no means would be the biggest move the Rockies make this offseason, but it would be an underrated addition to an already good team.

Rockies Receive: OF Kevin Pillar

Blue Jays Receive: LHP Harrison Musgrave

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