Colorado Rockies: German Marquez on the career-changing Tampa trade

ST. PETERSBURG, FLA. — German Marquez looks back on the January 2016 trade that brought him to the Colorado Rockies as a moment that he realized baseball is a business.

When asked about his reaction to the trade more than three years ago that brought him from the Tampa Bay Rays organization to the Colorado Rockies, German Marquez admits there was a bit of surprise at the news.

"“At first, I was a little surprised. I was a little worried about the transition, meeting new players, new teammates and how they would treat me,” Marquez told Rox Pile and other media members inside the Rockies clubhouse on Monday afternoon. “The transition was great, the Rockies did a great job and I’m very grateful.”"

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Dealt to the Rockies as a Class A prospect (along with current reliever Jake McGee), Marquez has evolved into one of the cornerstones of the Colorado rotation and a name that is being discussed as a Cy Young Award possibility in the not-too-distant future.

On Monday, Marquez walked into the building where he thought he would be pitching for the Rays one day. Now, the 24-year-old right-hander is scheduled to take the mound on Wednesday in the series finale against the Rays.

"“The team that drafts you and gives you the opportunity to play, you always dream of playing in the big leagues for that team, but I understand it’s a business,” Marquez said. “They ended up traded me to the Rockies and I’m grateful for the opportunity.”"

Marquez says he is thankful to the Rays organization for giving him a chance by signing him as an amateur free agent on July 2, 2011.

"“I remember a great organization that treated me well,” Marquez said. “They gave me an opportunity to play baseball and I’m grateful for that opportunity.“I understand it’s a business. That’s why they traded me.”"

Marquez says he doesn’t look back and wonder what if he had stayed in the Rays organization. He is focused on improving upon last year’s 14-11 mark as he set a new franchise record for strikeouts in a season with 230.

"“I was young,” Marquez said. “They ended up trading me and I’m grateful the Rockies gave me an opportunity. I don’t really look back on it.”"