Five trade targets from the Chicago White Sox for the Colorado Rockies

Chicago White Sox first baseman José Abreu would be a great, but likely unrealistic fit, for the Colorado Rockies

Chicago White Sox first baseman José Abreu is the exact kind of power bat that the Colorado Rockies need. With the exceptions of 2018 (when he was injured) and 2020 (shortened season), Abreu has had at least 100 RBI in every season he has been in the majors. In 2021, the Colorado Rockies did not have a player with 100+ RBI.

In 2021, Abreu had 30 homers, 117 RBI, a slash line of .261/.351/.481 with an OPS+ of 125. In 2020, he was the American League MVP as he hit 19 homers and had 60 RBI (which led the league) with a slash line of .317/.370/.617 (the latter of which also led the league) and an OPS+ of 165. He led the American League in RBI in 2019 with 123 and he hit 33 homers, .284/.330/.503, and had an OPS+ of 118.

With C.J. Cron at first base, the Rockies would have to use Abreu and Cron in a platoon at first base with the other DH’ing (assuming the DH comes to the National League in 2022).

Abreu could be traded because he is entering the final year of his contract but other than the White Sox being in playoff contention, there are a few other things that could hold up a deal. He has a partial no-trade clause, which has five teams on it in 2022. Who those five teams are is unknown. His $18 million salary could be a non-starter for the Rockies too, depending on if the White Sox would pay the money, if at all.

With all things considered, it’s highly unlikely that the Rockies would be able to trade for him but he is the kind of bat the Rockies need in their lineup to make strides forward in 2022.