Our series of trade targets for the Colorado Rockies continues today with the Kansas City Royals. You can check out the previous installments of our series here.
Both the Colorado Rockies and Kansas City Royals had, virtually, the same record in 2021 as both teams won 74 games but the two teams are in different realms in the baseball world. Kansas City plays in the weak AL Central and they have one of the top five farm systems in baseball right now. The Rockies play in, arguably, the toughest division in baseball in the NL West and they have one of the worst five farm systems in baseball right now.
However, the Rockies view themselves as a team that, as GM Bill Schmidt said “just need[s] more pieces” to be a playoff-contending team. That’s why we have been examining each and every team with possible trade targets during the lockout.
Both team were virtually quiet this offseason before the lockout as the Rockies didn’t sign anybody from outside of the organization to a major league deal. They have agreed to extensions/re-signed first baseman C.J. Cron, catcher Elias Díaz, right-handed pitcher Antonio Senzatela, and right-handed pitcher Jhoulys Chacín. The Royals, on the other hand, have signed former Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Taylor Clarke to a one-year deal for just under $1 million and they extended outfielder Michael Taylor to a two-year deal for $5 million.
To contend in 2021, both teams will have to make some moves once the lockout ends but from a perspective of the Rockies buying, here are eight trade targets the Colorado Rockies should keep in mind.