3 trade targets for the Colorado Rockies from the Detroit Tigers

Detroit Tigers infielder Jonathan Schoop could help the Colorado Rockies in a few positions

Prior to 2021, Jonathan Schoop was a second baseman in his eight MLB seasons but in year nine (2021), the Detroit Tigers decided, after having him play second in 2020, to have Schoop play first base, a position he never played before. This may sound like déjà vu to Colorado Rockies fans but unlike Daniel Murphy (and others in recent years for the Colorado Rockies), Schoop actually showed that he could hit.

In 2021, Schoop was tied for the most games played for the Tigers (156) and he was one of their best hitters. He hit .278/.320/.435 with 22 homers, 78 RBI, and a 110 OPS+. For the 2021 Rockies, that would have been the second-best on the team after C.J. Cron (who Schoop replaced at first base for the Tigers) among players with at least 250 plate appearances.

Since 2017, Schoop, 30, has shown that he has a better than average bat as he has a 162-game average of 28 homers, 88 RBI, and an OPS+ of 107.

The Tigers are unlikely to get rid of him as things currently stand but say, for example, they want #4 overall prospect Spencer Torkelson to start as the team’s Opening Day first baseman. If they sign another infielder as well, Schoop could be the odd man out with Báez at shortstop and their best bat, Jeimer Candelario, at third base.

In addition to play first and second, Schoop has some experience playing shortstop and third base as well so he would provide the Rockies with some versatility as well.

Schoop is owed $7.5 million in 2022 and Schoop has a player option for $7.5 million for 2023.

Detroit Tigers outfielder Robbie Grossman could provide the Colorado Rockies a good bat as well

Robbie Grossman, 32, wouldn’t provide the Colorado Rockies with a power bat but a high on-base bat at the top of the lineup, like he did with the Detroit Tigers in 2021.

The switch-hitting Grossman has bounced around a bit as he has played with four teams in his nine-year career but since 2016, he has hit .253/.359/.400 with an OPS+ of 108. In 2021, he showed the most power he has ever shown as he hit 23 homers and had 67 RBI. He also had 98 walks, which accounts for his .357 on-base percentage despite only having a batting average of .239.

He can play all three outfield spots but he has the most experience in left field. Defensively, he has ranged from one of the worst defenders in baseball (-20 DRS in the outfield in 75 games in 2016) to slightly above average (2 DRS in 2019 in 129 games). Overall, he is below average, which is why some teams have utilized him more as a DH.

The Rockies don’t necessarily want a full-time DH but Grossman’s defense is good enough that he could play left field for a few days a week and be a DH for a few days a week, if the DH comes to the NL in the new CBA.

Detroit Tigers reliever Michael Fulmer could provide the Colorado Rockies with some bullpen help

The Detroit Tigers were considering moving Michael Fulmer at the trades deadline in 2021 after he pitched well in relief to start the season. They didn’t trade him but he still finished the season strong. But if they traded him in July or trade him this offseason, it would be nothing in comparison to what they would have gotten for him in 2017.

In 2016, Fulmer made his debut and was one of the best pitchers in the American League. He won the AL Rookie of the Year Award and came in 10th in AL Cy Young Award voting after he posted a 3.06 ERA (139 ERA+) in 26 starts.

From Opening Day through July in 2017, Fulmer made 21 starts and had a 3.59 ERA (3.45 FIP) but the Tigers did not trade him despite some great offers. They could have had Javier Báez, who was with the reigning World Series Champion Chicago Cubs at the time, or Alex Bregman, as the eventual World Series Champion Houston Astros were willingly to give Bregman up for Fulmer.

That didn’t happen and less than a week after the trade deadline, Fulmer went on the IL with elbow issues. He was activated after 10 days … only to reaggravate it a few starts later. He was having elbow surgery by the end of August.

In 2018, he was out for a good chunk of the season due to an oblique injury and a torn meniscus. He missed all of 2019 due to Tommy John surgery and pitched terribly (8.78 ERA in 10 starts) so he became a reliever in 2021.

In 52 games (four starts), Fulmer was great as he had a 2.97 ERA with a 3.46 FIP, a 143 ERA+, and a strikeout-to-walk ratio of more than 3.5:1. He also had 14 saves.

When Fulmer pitches well, his groundball rate has been higher (it was above 45 percent in 2016-2017 and 2021 but below that in 2018 and 2020) so he could be a good, backend relief option for the Rockies.

Under the current CBA, he will be a free agent next offseason so the Tigers, despite them trying to contend, could still try to get something for him if they don’t want to or don’t think that they can extend him.

Our series of Rockies trade targets will continue tomorrow with the Kansas City Royals.