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3 things the Colorado Rockies need to get done before the trade deadline

By Kevin Henry |
Jul 3, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Rockies shortstop Trevor Story (27) watches his ball on a three run home run against the St. Louis Cardinals in the seventh inning at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 3, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Rockies shortstop Trevor Story (27) watches his ball on a three run home run against the St. Louis Cardinals in the seventh inning at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
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Jul 26, 2021; Anaheim, California, USA; Colorado Rockies shortstop Trevor Story (27) throws to first for the out against Los Angeles Angels right fielder Adam Eaton (9) during the fourth inning at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 26, 2021; Anaheim, California, USA; Colorado Rockies shortstop Trevor Story (27) throws to first for the out against Los Angeles Angels right fielder Adam Eaton (9) during the fourth inning at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /

The hours are ticking away for the Colorado Rockies and the rest of Major League Baseball before the trade deadline, which hits at 2 p.m. Mountain time on Friday, July 30.

There have been plenty of rumors surrounding the Rockies heading into the trade deadline, yet Colorado has made just one deal so far (as of the time of this writing), sending reliever Mychal Givens to the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for two minor league pitchers.

The hot stove flickered on Wednesday with the Givens swap, but it needs to heat up mightily for the Rockies if the franchise is truly going to not only open the contention window again, but also push it forward.

Here are three things the Colorado Rockies should do before the 2021 MLB trade deadline expires.

Trade Trevor Story outside of the division

There are rumors that the San Francisco Giants could be a suitor for Story. Send him to the Big Apple, but don’t send him to the Bay Area. If Colorado’s front office thought sending Nolan Arenado to the St. Louis Cardinals caused backlash, just imagine sending Story to the Giants and watching San Francisco make a deep postseason run with the former Colorado shortstop leading the charge.

Worse yet, imagine Story finding a home in San Francisco and coming back to Coors Field for years to come wearing orange and black.

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Sure, Story is scheduled to be a free agent after this season and can head anywhere he likes, but for Colorado to kickstart a relationship with a division rival just makes no sense.

With that in mind, pair the New York teams against each other for the best offer for Story’s services. It’s almost impossible to think that their best deal would not be better than keeping Story and putting a qualifying offer on him at the end of the season in order to get another draft pick next season.

As much as it might sting to see Story in another uniform, it’s virtually certain to happen, whether the All-Star shortstop is traded or leaves at the end of the season. Colorado needs to get as much as possible from a Story trade before the trade deadline expires.

Jul 2, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Rockies first baseman C.J. Cron (25) hits an RBI double in the sixth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 2, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Rockies first baseman C.J. Cron (25) hits an RBI double in the sixth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

Find a trade partner for C.J. Cron

Yes, Cron is currently dealing with a groin injury that comes at the worst possible time if the Rockies are looking to trade him. However, Cron has built enough value this season that the Rockies should be able to find a home for him, even if he is currently hobbled or even needs a stint on the injured list.

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Signed before the season began to a $1 million, one-year deal, Cron is currently slashing .245/.357/.460 and has smacked 14 home runs. He has proven that the knee injury that cut last season short for him is a thing of the past, logging 265 at-bats this season and serving as Colorado’s primary first baseman.

Are there teams that could use Cron’s power at first base or designated hitter? Absolutely, even if it’s off the bench. If the Rockies could parlay a contract that will expire at the end of the season into a couple of prospects, it could pay dividends down the road.

Colorado has plenty of options for this season at first base. Shop Cron and see what could come back in a trade. Is Cron a part of Colorado’s long-term future? No, but the prospects that could come back in return well could be.

Jul 25, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Jon Gray (55) pitches in the first inning of the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 25, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Jon Gray (55) pitches in the first inning of the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

Tell Jon Gray he isn’t going anywhere

If the Rockies are going to get back into contention sooner than later, then they should keep a former Sooner in the rotation.

Speaking directly to the Colorado front office here, pull Jon Gray aside today and tell him that you want to work on an extension with him and that’s important to you. Tell Gray he’s a part of your team’s future. Tell him you want him to take the mound at Coors Field and show future Colorado pitchers exactly how to overcome any of the stigmas that come with pitching at altitude.

Gray has told us and numerous other media outlets that he wants to stay in Denver. Keep a rotation of Gray, Kyle Freeland, Germán Márquez, Antonio Senzatela, and Austin Gomber together heading into next season. Let Ryan Rolison and Peter Lambert battle with them for a spot in the rotation. Build up a pool of starting pitching rather than hoping that no one gets hurt because there isn’t a quality pitcher in the stable to take his place.

While it may seem strange to say “trade Trevor Story but keep Jon Gray,” the value of not only pitching at altitude but also the mindset that comes with overcoming it is extremely high. For the Rockies to do away with a starting pitcher who wants to stay and can not only succeed but also provide a blueprint for future pitchers seems counterproductive to a franchise that needs to find its footing.

dark. Next. Could a pair of Rockies be heading to the Mets?

This is what we’d do if we were in charge. What about you? Let us know in the comments below.

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