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Colorado Rockies: Outfield Logjam Stirs Trade Rumors

By Matthew Schoettler

May 26, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Colorado Rockies center fielder Charlie Blackmon (19) and left fielder Carlos Gonzalez (5) walks back to the dugout between innings of a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies won 9-0. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
May 26, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Colorado Rockies center fielder Charlie Blackmon (19) and left fielder Carlos Gonzalez (5) walks back to the dugout between innings of a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies won 9-0. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Colorado Rockies signed Gerardo Parra to a three-year deal on Tuesday, so with four left-handed outfielders, is the team looking to ship one out?

Entering the Winter Meetings, the Colorado Rockies were believed to be shopping around one of their trio of outfielders; however, as the Winter Meetings progressed the Colorado Rockies became mute on making a deal. On Tuesday, the Colorado Rockies, inadvertently, fueled speculation that the team is looking to deal either Carlos Gonzalez, Charlie Blackmon, or Corey Dickerson by signing veteran outfielder Gerardo Parra to a three-year deal.

Next: Jose Reyes: Will Colorado Rockies Keep Their Shortstop?

The Colorado Rockies already had three left-handed outfielders on their roster, so adding a fourth makes little-to-no sense. While there are little talks on the hot stove, Carlos Gonzalez figures to be a player of interest moving forward towards Spring Training. The Colorado Rockies desperately need pitching to help their starting rotation and bullpen. The Colorado Rockies ranked last in the MLB in ERA last season, so it is an obvious need for the team moving forward.

Over the past couple of weeks, a few teams engaged in talks about the Colorado Rockies’ outfielders, including the St. Louis Cardinals and the Detroit Tigers. Both teams have a surplus of young pitching prospects, with the Detroit Tigers stockpiling some pitching after last season’s trade deadline unloading. Moreover, the St. Louis Cardinals manage to develop pitching prospects on a regular basis, making it obvious that these suitors make sense in a potential trade.

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The Colorado Rockies have two options for acquiring top pitching talent: through the MLB Draft or via trade. While the Colorado Rockies have addressed their pitching needs in previous drafts, the team has the option of acquiring young, impact arms via trade this offseason. Carlos Gonzalez looks like the obvious front-runner to be traded in the near future, coming off of a 40 home run season for the Colorado Rockies.

Outside of a couple injury-riddled seasons for Carlos Gonzalez, he is one of the best impact left-handed bats in the Major Leagues. He started the 2015 season rather slowly; however, “CarGo” turned it up a notch after the All-Star break, finishing with 40 home runs, 97 RBI, and .271/.325/.540 slash line. Moreover, Gonzalez’s productions was not contingent on hitting in Coors Field. Gonzalez hit 24 home runs at home and 16 home runs on the road.

If the Colorado Rockies try to ship Carlos Gonzalez out of Denver, they want an impressive yield for the All-Star outfielder. Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal believes that the outfield free agency market is at a stand-still because of players like Carlos Gonzalez, Corey Dickerson, and Charlie Blackmon being available for trade.

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Carlos Gonzalez’s home/road splits are the most favorable out of the Colorado Rockies’ trio of outfielders, so the Colorado Rockies face a steep drop off in return outside of Carlos Gonzalez. Moreover, at age 30, Carlos Gonzalez is in the prime of his career, and he has a club-friendly contract with two years remaining. For a team in contention or wanting to be contenders, Carlos Gonzalez is the player you want, especially after seeing what Jason Heyward received in free agency.

With Jason Heyward setting the market for free agent outfielders, most teams remain hesitant on throwing $100+ million to players on the market. Also, most of the big-name players left on the free agency market are tied with qualifying offers, resulting in a forfeit of a future draft pick. The Colorado Rockies are one of the few teams in the driver’s seat when it comes to trade-bait.

Next: Jose Reyes: Will Colorado Rockies Keep Their Shortstop?

While no team appears to be heavily involved in trade discussions with the Colorado Rockies, expect the discussions to heat up in the upcoming weeks before Spring Training begins. The Colorado Rockies did not spend over $9M a year for Gerardo Parra to ride the bench; thus, they need to clear a spot for the impending acquisition of Parra. Stay tuned.

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