Colorado Rockies did check in on price for Paul Goldschmidt

LAS VEGAS — During his discussion with members of the media (including Rox Pile) on Monday night following the first full day of the Winter Meetings, Colorado Rockies general manager Jeff Bridich confirmed that the team did indeed check on what it might take to land former Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt in a trade.

Even though it was within the National League West, the Colorado Rockies contacted their division rival (and spring training facilities partner) to see what the price might be for the six-time All-Star. Eventually, Paul Goldschmidt was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for pitcher Luke Weaver, catcher Carson Kelly and infielder Andy Young.

Yes, Bridich did say the Rockies asked what it would take to bring a player who is notorious for killing them at the plate into their own clubhouse.

"“We spoke to the Diamondbacks about him,” Bridich said."

And was he surprised to see what Arizona received in return for him in the trade with St. Louis?

"“No, not really, based on our communication,” Bridich said. “I’m also not surprised he didn’t end up in a Rockies uniform, based on what we were told.”"

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Part of what the Rockies might have been told is what it would take to land Goldschmidt, and that includes highly-rated prospects. Kelly was ranked among the top five prospects for St. Louis while Young was considered by many someone who was rising on the charts. Weaver, meanwhile, started 43 games for the Cardinals over the last three seasons, posting an overall 15-17 record and 4.79 ERA.

With a combination of the price and trading within the division, a swap apparently didn’t seem to make sense. Had it happened, it certainly would have benefited the Rockies in at least two big ways. First, it would have been an improvement over Colorado’s current situation at first base. Second, it would have kept a potential National League threat for making the postseason from obtaining a key piece in their 2018 lineup.

Will Colorado upgrade their lineup at first base? That’s one of the things we’ll continue to watch here in Las Vegas and throughout the offseason.