Colorado Rockies: Four trade targets from the Tampa Bay Rays

ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - JULY 07: Kevin Kiermaier #39 of the Tampa Bay Rays hits a three run home run in the third inning during game one of a doubleheader against the Cleveland Indians at Tropicana Field on July 07, 2021 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - JULY 07: Kevin Kiermaier #39 of the Tampa Bay Rays hits a three run home run in the third inning during game one of a doubleheader against the Cleveland Indians at Tropicana Field on July 07, 2021 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /
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Manuel Margot of the Tampa Bay Rays could be a fit for the Colorado Rockies
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 02: Manuel Margot #13 of the Tampa Bay Rays in action against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on October 02, 2021 in New York City. The Rays defeated the Yankees 12-2. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Manuel Margot would also be a defensive wizard for the Colorado Rockies.

Manuel Margot has spent the last two seasons with the Tampa Bay Rays but Colorado Rockies fans probably remember him best as a member of the San Diego Padres, which is the team that originally signed him and the team that he made his MLB debut for. He played three-plus years with the San Diego Padres before the Rays acquired him before the 2020 season.

Margot, 27, is, essentially, a younger and healthier version of Kiermaier. In the last three seasons, he has hit .248/.311/.380 with an OPS+ of 91 so he is not the power bat that the Rockies are looking for.

However, like Kiermaier, he is a very good defender. Margot can play all three outfield positions but if he was with the Rockies, he would play center field because of his defense. Since 2017 (his first full season in the majors), he has 37 DRS total and at least 6 DRS in each full season (he had 3 DRS in 46 games in 2020).

Margot, again like Kiermaier, is a free agent after this coming season so the Rays may look to unload him to get some salary relief and something in return for him before free agency.