Louis Taggart | @LTtalksfootball | January 8, 2024
This off season has been about as exciting as an Iowa football game. Fans are in limbo fighting for off season content. Lost in all this chaos (that I happily participate in), is the reality of the Rockies roster. Here is the list of players that the Rockies could possibly move via trade.
Players With No Options Left
Players on the 40-man roster that aren’t on the 26-man roster or are sent down use a Minor League option. Players can only do this three times, after three options are used, the team must designate the player for assignment and hope he clears waivers to send him back down.
Teams see these players with no options left and know they are stuck on the 26-man roster unless dealt in a trade or designated for assignment. Getting some value for a player is better than getting nothing, so it’s worth it.
Current players with no options left.
The only player on this list that could possibly not have a spot on this team come spring is Elehuris Montero. The trade compensation would be super light, but it would be better than nothing.
Players Nearing End Of Arbitration
Arbitration does wonders for keeping a payroll costs down, especially for a team like the Rockies, who spend all of their money in the wrong ways. These players are also perfect for good teams looking for a rental to stay under the tax threshold. Anyone familiar with the Tampa Bay Rays team building philosophy knows they have made a living and a profit doing this to every single player who comes through their system.
Players nearing end of arbitration
- Jalen Beeks (Arb 3)
- Austin Gomber (Arb 2)
- Peter Lambert (Arb 2)
- Lucas Gilbreath (Arb 1)
- Cal Quantrill (Arb 3)
- Brendan Rodgers (Arb 2)
The Rockies are in no business to be trading pitchers, so that leaves one man, Brendan Rodgers. Rodgers was in trade talks last year when he was rumored to be dealt to the Marlins for Edward Cabrera. The Marlins dodged a bullet with that one. Long story short, Rodgers suffered a shoulder injury before the season, taking him out of any meaningful games. With this injury and a year less of arbitration, his value has plummeted to an all-time low.
A trade for Rodgers will most likely cost a team one or two top-30 prospects, which is still a solid haul.
Cheap Dawgs
This one is simple. Cheap players who will help any team in baseball. This list contains only one guy, and that’s Elias Diaz. Diaz was the All-Star game MVP last season and is putting up a solid bid for the best catcher in Rockies history. Diaz could net a solid haul, especially if an owner is cheap and wants to stay under the tax threshold.
Projected Trades
These trades have no root in substance and are mere guesses. Most of these guys are selected by me scouring Fangraphs until I see a player I would like in a Rockies jersey.
Trade One
Red Sox: Elehuris Montero
Rockies: Cash
The Red Sox could use another infielder, especially at third base. This is a low-cost bat, with a very high upside. The only problem I foresee is the Rockies having an ego that gets in the way to let Montero go because that would make the Arenado trade even worse. The Rockies will get cash back, most likely to make sure the clubhouse has free soda.
Trade Two
Yankees: Brendan Rodgers
Rockies: Carlos Lagrange (#25 Prospect, who is 6’7 and throws heat)
Brendan Rodgers isn’t exactly a need for the Yankees but it is the type of trade they always seem to make. It gives them reinforcements to keep up with the AL East, which is wide open. In this mock trade, the Rockies get one hell of a player back. Carlos Lagrange is a perfect pitcher to develop into a successful one at Coors. He’s young with incredible velocity and has the ability to strikeout any batter.
Trade Three
Marlins: Elias Diaz
Rockies: Evan Fitterer (#24 prospect) and Nigel Belgrave (#30 prospect)
The Marlins need hitting, and they need it now. Diaz is a perfect fit as he fills an offensive hole for a position that offense is difficult to find. The Rockies get two pitching prospects back. Evan Fitterer is highly touted, but his lack of strike out stuff is holding him back. He would fit perfectly into Hartford’s rotation. Nigel Belgrave has incredible stuff, but his lack of a pitch mix will make him a bullpen guy. Another arm barn guy would make this group one of the bests in the Minors.
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