Colorado Rockies trade deadline: Where roster upgrades are needed

DENVER, COLORADO – MAY 09: Mark Reynolds #12 of the Colorado Rockies circles the bases after hitting a solo home run in the first inning against the San Francisco Giants at Coors Field on May 09, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Bench

For how potent the Rockies offense has been in the month of June, the thumb injury to Trevor Story and the lingering toe issue with Nolan Arenado has exposed a serious flaw in the roster. The Rockies’ bench is extremely thin.

Half of the four-man bench is locked down with Raimel Tapia as the fourth outfielder and Chris Iannetta backing up at catcher. However, the other two spots are in need of an upgrade.

At the utility infield spot, Pat Valaika and Brendan Rodgers will battle it out over the next few weeks to determine who stays on the roster once Story returns from the Injured List. That increased competition should help solidify that role.

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The fourth and final spot on the bench is where the Rockies need to make a serious upgrade. A few weeks ago, I called for the release of Mark Reynolds and now I am demanding it. It makes absolutely zero sense to continue to trot out Reynolds in a platoon role at first base in the hopes that he will hit two more home runs to get to 300 for his career.

For the season, Reynolds is hitting .167 with four home runs,18 RBI and 13 runs scored with 45 strikeouts in 138 plate appearances, including 1-for-30 as a pinch hitter. Whether it is calling up a someone from the minors, making a trade, or surprising everyone and once again signing Matt Holliday (who has first base experience), the Rockies need to purge themselves of the dead weight that is Mark Reynolds from the roster.

The season isn’t even to the halfway point but it is not too early start looking at the endgame and how to get there. For the Rockies, there are some areas that are in need of an upgrade and it could be time to start making those moves.

What moves would you make? Let us know in the comments section below.

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