A way-too-early look at 4 Rockies players that could be deal at the MLB Trade Deadlin

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As much as we may hope, there’s a good chance the Rockies won’t be competing for a World Series this year. On top of that, no pitchers seem to want to sign to the mile high altitude of Coors Field. As a result, the team needs to look to trade away some expiring contracts to get any value and acquire as many assets as they can moving forward.

The Rockies may not have the best recent history with giving up their rentals (*cough cough* Trevor Story), but hopefully this year they use what resources they have to continue to build for next year and beyond. Although this Rockies team certainly doesn’t have any Story-caliber rentals, they do have some pieces that could be helpful depth pieces for contending teams.

Honorable Mention: Charlie Blackmon

Charlie Blackmon should retire with the Rockies and immediately have his number 19 retired with him. It’s the most fitting way for one of the most consistent players in the team’s history to go out. But… out of all the players on this list he will command the most return.

Already off to a hot start this season, Blackmon can lead off at the top or lengthen at the bottom of a contender’s lineup. He will ensure a high average, reliable force for any team he plays for. Think of the Andrew Benintendi trade a few years ago, where the Royals were able to snag three prospects from the Yankees for a couple months of Benintendi, who at the time also fit the lefty, high average, low home run output, leadoff hitter mold. In no way do I think this should or will happen, but crazier things have happened.

2 hitters that could fill valuable, hard to find, roles come August

4. Jacob Stallings

Colorado Rockies v Arizona Diamondbacks / Norm Hall/GettyImages

We’re starting off hot, I know. Stallings is far removed from his days as a serviceable starting backstop in Pittsburgh and he is very much a backup catcher now. For a three-year period from 2019-21, he was one of the better defensive catchers in baseball. However, his defensive metrics have dropped steadily over the past few seasons, and he provides little to no offensive output.

Compelling argument, right? However, Stallings is a great backup catcher known for working well with pitchers and great blocking. In a world where catchers come at a premium, an injury-struck, or younger team, could value a veteran presence behind the dish and in the clubhouse down the stretch of a season, similar to what Austin Hedges was for the Rangers last season. Sure, Stallings won’t garner much of a return, but any value a rebuilding team can get out of a one-year backup catcher contract is worth investigating.

2. Jake Cave

If you’re looking for a fourth outfielder who can plug and play in an emergency or injury situation, Jake Cave is a great fit for you. Cave has above average speed and can play all three spots in the outfield as well as first base. The Rockies picked up Cave in a roster crunch with the Phillies before the season, and Cave has performed well in limited at bats thus far. Cave is no stranger to this role, as he has never played over 100 games in a season but has filled the fourth outfield role dating back to his time in Minnesota and understands his value and role in the major leagues. While maybe not the sexiest name and baseball reference page, Cave is a gamer that every team needs on their roster down the stretch of a long season.

With all of the injuries in the MLB right now, these 2 pitchers could help a contender out with some depth

2. Jalen Beeks

Tampa Bay Rays v Colorado Rockies / Dustin Bradford/GettyImages

Here’s another “unsexy name who fills a role in demand.” Left-handed relief pitchers are often hard to come by, and Jalen Beeks just so happens to be a left-handed reliever on an expiring contract, making him fairly tradeable. While Blackmon holds a sentimental value and Stallings works well with the younger members of a pitching staff, Beeks is a guy that I would like to see moved by any means necessary. If the Yankees were able to get two minor leaguers for Lucas Luetge after the 2022 season, the Rockies should be able to get something for Beeks in the middle of a season when there’s bound to be a team looking for a left-handed reliever who is also capable of providing a multi-inning outing.

1. Dakota Hudson

The former first round pick never quite stuck with the Cardinals and was non-tendered in the offseason after six seasons with the club. Two tough years of mid-to-high four ERA, completed his tenure while injury concerns overshadowed what was a really solid start to his career.

In his first four years, Hudson recorded an impressive 24-10 record with a 3.14 ERA and 192 strikeouts. The Rockies snagged Hudson for a measly 1 year, $1.5 million contract in January, needing another arm to fill out their rotation with the injuries to Antonio Senzatela and German Marquez. It’s early, but Hudson has looked like an incredibly solid arm so far this season. If he continues on this track, Hudson could command the greatest return off this list, from a team that believes in an uptick in production that comes with getting a pitcher out of Coors.

Pitching is a premium especially at the trade deadline, and almost all contenders are looking to add depth arms who can fill out the rotation down the stretch and compete to make the postseason roster. Hudson seems like a perfect candidate to be a number five starter and postseason long man for a playoff hopeful team.

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A way-too-early look at 4 Rockies players that could be dealt at the MLB Trade Deadline