5 trade targets from the Chicago Cubs for the Colorado Rockies

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Chicago Cubs, Colorado Rockies, Rafael Ortega

PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 30: Rafael Ortega #66 of the Chicago Cubs rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run in the first inning during the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on September 30, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /

The Colorado Rockies are very familiar with Chicago Cubs outfielder Rafael Ortega

Chicago Cubs outfielder Rafael Ortega is a player that the Colorado Rockies are very familiar with.

Ortega, 30, originally signed with the Colorado Rockies as an amateur free agent out of Venezuela all the way back in 2008. He worked up to Double-A by 2012 and, while skipping Double-A, appeared in two games as a September call-up for the Rockies in 2012. However, he was placed on waivers, claimed by Texas, and he has bounced around in the majors and minors since then, playing in six organizations.

After not being in pro baseball in 2020, Ortega signed with the Chicago Cubs for the 2021 season and played the most games he ever played in the majors and had his best season in the majors too.

In 2021, Ortega played in 103 games (73 starts) and he had 11 homers and 33 RBI with a slash line of .291/.360/.463 with an OPS+ of 120.

Ortega can play all three outfield positions and with his lack of success in the majors before 2021, he should be fairly easy for the Rockies to get. If he has a 120 OPS+ for the Rockies, it would be a good pickup. If he is the 58 OPS+ player that he was prior to 2021, the Rockies already have plenty of players like that in their crowded but mediocre outfield.

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