Colorado Rockies: Looking at three outfield trade targets

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

Michael Taylor – OF Washington Nationals

After a very disappointing 2018 for Michael Taylor, the Nationals might be ready to call it quits on their athletic center fielder who they’ve hoped would turn into a big league mainstay. He has shown big flashes of brilliance, but zero consistency, and if the Nationals were to entertain trade packages for him, If I were Jeff Bridich, I would ask about him.

One, he’d be cheap. Two, did you see the homer he hit at Coors a few years back? And three, you really need to see that home run. He had a good year in 2015, but didn’t hit for any average. In 2017, he had a mini-break out with 19 homers and 53 RBI, while hitting .271/.320/.486, but in 2018, he regressed back into more of what we saw in 2016 and his small sample of 2014. He’s a crazy athlete and a plus defender and still has enormous potential. And even in the on base numbers aren’t there, he’s a major threat on the bases (71 career steals), and a great defensive replacement, and regardless of average, he will probably hit 13-16 home runs and have decent run production.

Rockies Receive: OF Michael Taylor

Nationals Receive: IF Roberto Ramos, LHP Breiling Eusebio

These are all depth moves, but depth moves need to be made and the Rockies will need some depth pieces in their outfield next year. Good teams always have players on their bench that could be starting on other teams, and Colorado didn’t really have enough of that last year.