We’re about a month-and-a-half away from MLB’s trade deadline on July 31st. Many teams are already considering their options in regards to this most special of days, trying to determine what path to take to set them on the road to success. Rumors swirl about names such as Luis Robert Jr., Zac Gallen, and Sandy Alcantara, to name a few players who may find new homes in August. Whether a club is contending for a title now, retooling to try next season, or building for a far-flung future competitive window, everyone is gearing up for the most wheelin’ and dealin’ time of the season.
Of course, the Colorado Rockies find themselves among the teams that will be attempting to resupply themselves for seasons to come.
With no postseason aspirations this year, the Rockies will likely be fielding offers from other teams looking to fill gaps at various positions. With that being the case, what does a successful trade deadline look like for Colorado? After last year’s somewhat quiet deadline season, fans are clambering for a productive end of July.
Will they get it?
Let’s talk about what such a positive deadline could entail for the Rockies.
Bird must fly
Probably the most obvious move, Jake Bird has been one of the most-discussed players in this season’s trade dealings. That’s to be expected when he’s having one of the best seasons for a Colorado reliever in recent history. Every playoff-bound club could use some extra bullpen help, and right now Bird is as solid as they come. As such, the Rockies must take advantage of this meteoric rise in popularity by sending the bearded right-hander over to one of those teams in return for some prospect capital.
While Bird may not command the same package as say, Josh Hader’s deal to San Diego, his acquisition should still be able to net Colorado a promising youngster or two. Mayhaps the New York Yankees, actively seeking relief help amid serious bullpen woes, would be willing to part with Gage Ziehl or Chase Hampton? Could the Tampa Bay Rays, stuck in the dogfight that is the AL East, send Xavier Isaac in a deal? It’s fun to think about.
Either way, Bird must fly the coop. It’s not that I don’t like him — quite the opposite, in fact — but there’s no question that trading him is the kind of move that serious franchises make. Sure, it hurts in the moment, but it’s necessary for restocking the farm with talent that will (hopefully) lead the team into the future.
Ryan McMahon’s last ride
Few athletes can boast the quality of character that Ryan McMahon can, and that’s why I really hate to even consider this possibility. While it’s going to be heartbreaking to some, it’s another ineluctable fact that McMahon will be viewed as a legitimately intriguing trade target by multiple clubs looking for help from the best defensive third baseman in the National League. (Do NOT @ me.)
We know that the Yankees inquired about Mac last season, but the Rockies were unwilling to part with their fan-favorite hot cornerman. Now, again, they find themselves on the receiving end of multiple calls about his availability. This time, though, the Rockies are setting records in futility and without an immediate fix. The time is ripe for this transaction to come to fruition.
Once again, the Yankees come to mind, especially given their pronounced need for third base help. The Chicago Cubs, too, continue to monitor his status and are seemingly primed to make a strong case for his services. Even if McMahon doesn’t boast the same offensive capabilities that he’s shown in the past (at least at present), he’s still an elite defensive talent that immediately upgrades the defense of almost any other MLB squad. With two full seasons left on his contract, McMahon will be a very popular name among contending teams, and Colorado will have to be willing to listen to offers that come through for number 24.
The end of the Germán Márquez era
It’s a strange thing — to consider dealing away a team’s all-time strikeout leader. Under normal circumstances, it would be borderline outrageous to trade a player so ingrained in the history of the team, and yet that’s exactly the situation that Germán Márquez is facing.
Fringe teams such as the Toronto Blue Jays could always use a backend starter, and may be willing to send unproven talent such as Sam Shaw or Ryan Jennings to acquire Márquez. Of course, this trade scenario was much more likely before Márquez’s season began — indeed, 2025 has been unkind to the Venezuelan righthander, though in recent games, his knuckle curve is returning as a solid pitch. Still, with his contract expiring, Márquez makes for an interesting reclamation project for a team such as Toronto or the Cleveland Guardians.
Even if Márquez’s most effective days are behind him, he’s a pitcher that some aspirational teams will be willing to take a flyer on. The haul may not be earth-shattering, but the Rockies should be willing to take what they can get for a player that is likely to depart after this season.
Is now the time to strike for Hunter Goodman?
Okay, this one might be a hot take.
Hunter Goodman has arguably been the Rockies MVP thus far into the season. He’s emerged as a legitimate power threat at the plate and solid game-caller behind it. Goodman has gone from potentially not making the team of out spring training to leading them to what few victories they’ve been able to scrounge together.
So… why trade him?
Well, because his stock has never been higher, of course.
Many an MLB offense would love to add a slugging catcher/DH to their lineup, such as the Houston Astros and division rival San Francisco Giants. If the Rockies convince these clubs that Goodman’s ascension is legit, it may not be too farfetched to expect a top ten-or-so prospect from their trade partner (looking at you, Bo Davidson). Is that too high an asking price? Maybe, but finagling these trades into reality is the fun of the deadline!
Colorado would then entrust its catching duties to Braxton Fulford and Drew Romo, neither of whom are lighting the world on fire thus far this season. Still, perhaps that kind of “you’re up, kid” big league exposure would help to acclimate them fully to the trials and tribulations of MLB life and speed up their progression.
Regardless, a Goodman move is at least worth considering. Under team control for a while yet, “Goody” may be a tough piece to part with, but could yield the greatest return of any Rockie. It’s a tough pill to swallow, but one that may need to be taken in pursuit of the future.
Who do you think the Rockies should consider trading or acquiring? Let me know in the comments below!
On the farm
Triple-A: Oklahoma City Comets 5, Albuquerque Isotopes 4
A brutal ninth inning spelt the end for the Isotopes on Wednesday.
Owen Miller’s three-hit, two-run, one homer performance helped propel the Topes to a 4-1 lead entering the top of the ninth, but the Comets scored four runs on five hits against Antoine Kelly to take the late lead.
The loss buried a great start by Bradley Blalock, who allowed just one run in his six innings of work. Michael Toglia, attempting to straighten out his swing and return to the majors, went 0-for-2 with an RBI.
Double-A: Akron RubberDucks 6, Hartford Yard Goats 2
This one wasn’t quite so close. The Yard Goats could muster just five hits in response to the RubberDucks’ 13-hit offensive outburst and fell without much resistance.
Hartford managed to keep things fairly close until a four-run seventh inning put Akron further ahead. Connor Staine, Carlos Torres, and Carson Skipper combined for six one-run frames before that decisive seventh.
The Yard Goats’ sole offense came from a two-run home run off the bat of Zach Kokoska, which was his sixth round-tripper of the season.
High-A: Vancouver Canadians 8, Spokane Indians 4
The Canadians got off to a hot start and never looked back as they survived a late Spokane surge in Wednesday’s late-night contest.
Michael Prosecky’s tough outing put the Indians in an early hole as he allowed seven runs (six earned) in just 3 1⁄3 innings. Spokane’s relief corps did what they could to keep the game within striking distance, but the deficit was too great to be overcome.
A ninth inning rally (begun by Jared Thomas’s eighth homer of the season) did bring the tying run to the plate, but Jean Perez flew out to end the threat and the game.
Single-A: Fresno Grizzlies 5, Modesto Nuts 3
The sole Rockies affiliate to collect a win on Wednesday, the Grizzlies were able to hold off Modesto’s early barrage and come back to get the victory.
The Nuts led 3-0 in the middle of the second inning, but wouldn’t score again after Marcos Herrera and the rest of Fresno’s pitching stuff hunkered down and got to work. Modesto found themselves unable to string together hits while the Grizzlies pitching staff worked around what traffic did accrue en route to the dub.
Fresno’s offense was spearheaded by Kelvin Hidalgo’s three RBIs, while Robert Calaz, Jacob Hinderleider, and Blake Wright each recorded two hits.
For more on the Rockies farm system, check out this week’s Pebble Report.
★ ★ ★
On the internet
Rockies’ Kris Bryant doing light work but ‘is not close to returning’ | Denver Post ($$)
KB still insists that he wants to return to the baseball field, but this report by our friend Patrick Saunders doesn’t paint a great picture. Bryant’s baseball health is one thing, but the state of his recovery leads one to potentially fear for him even after his MLB career ends.
Dinger still has more game than the Rockies despite Mrs. Met’s rejection | MSN
The saga continues.
★ ★ ★
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