The Trade deadline is quickly approaching, and with the Rockies now sitting at 7.5 games back in the division, it may be time to realistically say that this season could be better spent by gaining prospects and players that will help the Rockies win for many years to come.
They have a couple of big contracts on their books that they could potentially trade away to a team that is in need for a playoff push in the second half. If the Rockies can make any moves to make the team better in the future then they need to pull the trigger. If they don’t then Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez could get fed up with the management and demand to be traded to a team that will actually do what it takes to win.
Jorge De La Rosa has been a very consistent pitcher for the Rockies this year and has a 10-5 record with a 3.21 ERA. De La Rosa is making 11 million dollars this year and the Rockies have a club option worth 11 million dollars for the 2014 season. A quality left handed starter could bring a hefty price tag in the trade market right now especially considering the lack of depth in available starters this year on the market. The Rockies should be looking to deal De La Rosa so they can clear the cap space and perhaps make a move in the free agent market in the off season. He should be able to bring at least one top level prospect and two mid level guys. Should the Rockies make a move and send De La Rosa to another suitor then they would need to find another option for the rotation to finish out the year. Perhaps Jeff Francis would slide back into that role or they could go with a younger pitcher like Tyler Matzek or Chad Bettis. The Rockies will have more options to go with the rotation next season as former first round selection Christian Friedrich has battled a back issue all year which has forced him to miss the majority of the season. He should be back at some point and from the sound of things he has seemingly figured things out on the mound and has had time to mature. Another pitcher to watch for the Rockies will be Eddie Butler. Butler is currently in Single A but has dominated and looks to have all of the tools to be successful at the Major League Level. The Rockies will most likely avoid trying to rush him to the Major Leagues so he could remain down in the minors for the next two seasons, unless he shows a great deal of improvement and there are no questions about whether or not he is ready for the Show. Another pitching option for the Rockies is this years first round selection Jonathan Gray. Gray could be on the fast track to the Major Leagues as he had a lot of time to develop at the University of Oklahoma. The 22 year old has a triple digit fastball and a very sharp breaking curve and could be the Rockies best option for a future ace. All of these options will be good pitchers for the Rockies and they would be able to avoid paying the 32 year old De La Rosa another 11 million dollars if they pick up his option. This will allow them to clear some room on their cap space and be primed to make more moves in the off season.
Another move that the Rockies should carefully take a look at is the move of Michael Cuddyer. Cuddyer is having a monster season with the Rockies and he could be an asset to a team that needs a versatile player to fit into the middle of their order. Cuddyer is under contract through the 2014 season so he is not a rental player which would make more teams interested at the deadline because they would not be getting a rental player for the rest of the season but they are also getting him for next year as well. Lets face the fact that Cuddyer is not getting any younger and he could be at the peak of his performance right now. We have all seen what age can do to a players abilities (cough cough Todd Helton). Cuddyer is owed 10.5 million dollars next season and could be as much as 12 million depending on his performance on the year. The Rockies have a surplus of outfield prospects who are Major League ready such as Corey Dickerson and Charlie Blackmon, and they have a few prospects who have bright futures but are currently not ready for the show in Kyle Parker, David Dahl, and Delta Cleary Jr. The speculation is that Cuddyer will replace Helton at first base next season but the fact of the matter is that the Rockies do not need to settle for another aging bat to hold down first base for a season. We have seen what that can do to a team as they are trying to get into a rhythm. Traditionally the first base spot should be for someone who can put up big offensive numbers but as Cuddyer gets another year older in the off season he will probably not see numbers like he has had this year ever again. The Rockies should look to move him to a contented and get back some pieces that could fit into the bullpen and at first base for the future.
The Rockies should also be listening to all offers that people are willing to make for pitchers in the Rockies bullpen. The bullpen needs to be dismantled and remade heading into next season. Matt Belisle and Rafael Betancourt will most likely not be in the mix when it comes to the 2014 season. Teams have been calling about the availability of Josh Outman. Outman has been good against left handers this seasons and that is appealing to most teams that are looking to add depth in their bullpen. The Rockies bullpen is not set up for any specialists, so Outman has not had a great season as he is much better suited to be a specialist as opposed to an inning at a time. He will not bring back much in return but he does not fit with the Rockies bullpen setup so anything we get would be better than having him pitch out of his element and struggle in the process.
The Rockies need to get serious about getting better on the pitching side of things, because right now they have the offensive weapons to be successful and make a run at a World Series Title. Let’s face it, The Rockies front office have been gun shy to make any major moves since the disasters that were the Mike Hampton and Denny Neagle deals in the early 2000’s. After those two deals did not work out, the Rockies have been scared to spend any money to get players into Coors Field. They need to end that thought process and go out and sign some big names in the off season. Trading Jorge De La Rosa and Michael Cuddyer before the trade deadline tomorrow, will open up a lot of cap space and allow them enough money to make a move for some great players for the 2014 season. It is time for the Rockies brass to show how much they are committed to making the Rockies into a winning franchise. They have until 2 PM Mountain time to make some moves.
Dave Land
Dave is a Sports Administration Major at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. He interned for the Denver Nuggets and the Colorado Avalanche Group Ticket Sales departments. He's worked as an Event Manager for the Gold Crown Foundation. He has worked in sports through all facets of the game, and with Youth, High School, College, Minor Leagues, and Major Leagues at all different capacities.
