4 potential trade targets for the Colorado Rockies from the Texas Rangers

Texas Rangers infielder Isaiah Kiner-Falefa should be a target for the Colorado Rockies.

As Colorado Rockies fans well know, the Colorado Rockies are big fans of their players being versatile. Garrett Hampson, Ryan McMahon, Joshua Fuentes, Connor Joe, Chris Owings, Taylor Motter, Tony Wolters, Ian Desmond, and Gerardo Parra are just a few of the players the Rockies have had in recent years that either have played and/or could have played at least three positions and/or played at least two differing areas on the diamond (catcher and infield, infield and outfield). Texas Rangers infielder Isaiah Kiner-Falefa would also fall into this category.

Kiner-Falefa, who turns 27 just before Opening Day, was our pick for the one Rangers player that the Rockies should look at as a trade target this offseason when we just chose one from each team back in October.

In 2021, he played in 158 games for the Rangers and he hit .271/.312/.357 with an OPS+ of 85. He had eight homers and 53 RBI with 20 stolen bases as well. He exclusively played shortstop in 2021 but with both Corey Seager and Marcus Semien now in the fold, Kiner-Falefa will either be on the bench or have to move to one of the other positions he has played in the past.

In the majors, he has extensive playing time at third base, catcher, and at second base. He also played a handful of games in left field as well in the minor leagues.

Despite the 85 OPS+, he still had an rWAR of 3.2 because of his great defense. He had 10 Defensive Runs Saved (10 DRS) and in 2020, he had 10 DRS between third and short, which was good enough to get him a Gold Glove.

With the exception of 2021, the Rockies have had at least one player on their roster who was a catcher who could play the infield or vice versa for the last decade. Kiner-Falefa could help them achieve that again and he could be a good super utility guy.