5 players the Colorado Rockies should trade before MLB’s trade deadline

It’s no secret that the Colorado Rockies should sell at this year’s MLB trade deadline.

Now at the All-Star Break, a few weeks ahead of those final deals, Colorado is 43-50 in fourth place, 18.5 games back of the Dodgers. Colorado is closer to the last Wildcard spot at 6.5 games but would need to hop five teams in order to get in.

So the prudent thing for the Rockies to do would be to punt on 2022 and try again in 2023. If they want to kick the can down the road, they could already punt on 2023 and try to build something special in 2024. But first things first, the Rockies need to start adding some young talent to their organization. Colorado’s roster is one of the oldest in MLB, and their farm system isn’t rated well.

The Rockies could jump-start this process by trading any of these five players ahead of August’s deadline:

Daniel Bard, 37, RHP, RP
Free agent after 2022 season

The 2020 Comeback Player of the Year resurrected his career after going seven seasons without an MLB appearance. Bard is due to become a free agent after this season ends, and it is unlikely he will remain in Colorado. He’s had a good stint as the Rockies closers, recording 20 saves in 2021, and now in 2022, his 20 saves is fourth-best in the National League.

Bard has arguably been the Rockies best pitcher, allowing just eight earned runs and three homers in 35.2 innings of work. Bard is striking out over a batter an inning and still has one of baseball’s best fastballs, averaging 98 mph. Hitters struggle to make contact on Bard’s pitches which would be extremely valuable to a contender. Given MLB just expanded their postseason again, there could be a bidding war on Bard if the Rockies let there be.

Chad Kuhl, 29, RHP, SP
Free agent after 2022 season

There’s a case to be made that Kuhl has been the Rockies best, if not at the very least, most consistent starter this season. Kuhl isn’t going to start Game 1 of a postseason series, heck he might not even get a start in a series, but the righty could be a valuable backend starter for a team to add. Kuhl could help a playoff-bound team get through August and September; whether they’re waiting on a better pitcher to come back from injury or plan to use fewer starters in the playoffs, they’ll still need five starters and a guy like Kuhl down the stretch.

The Rockies could convince themselves to sign Kuhl to a two or three-year extension come this winter, but he’s likely having his best season right now. The Pirates let him walk last winter, and it’s worked out well for Colorado. Kuhl has a 6-5 record with a 4.11 ERA over 17 starts. His strikeout rate has decreased a lot from last season into this year, and some digging suggests Kuhl could be due to regress soon. In truth, even his previous few starts show this, as he’s allowed 12 earned runs in 14.2 innings of work this summer. The time to move Kuhl is now. Any prospect that could help a team in 2024 or beyond is more helpful than Kuhl by the time the Rockies have a shot at success again.

C.J. Cron, 32, RHB, 1B/DH
Free agent after the 2023 season

Colorado’s lone All-Star has been crushing it this season, slashing .298/.350/.552 with 21 home runs and 69 RBI. Cron is in his second season in purple after anyone in baseball could’ve had him before 2021. Another Rockie who rejuvenated his career while at Coors Field; any team in baseball could add his bat while using him at first base or in the DH slot.

After next season, Cron will be a free agent, and he’s having a career year. Coming off a 3.4 WAR season and already up to 3.1 WAR, his $7 million a year deal is a steal. He’s likely the most valuable trade chip the Rockies have right now, and his value will never be higher than it is currently. The fact is, Cron is not part of the core of Colorado’s next competitive club. Sad as it may be because Cron is the best first baseman the Rockies have had since Todd Helton retired.

Alex Colome, 33, RHP, RP
Free agent after the 2022 season

One of baseball’s better relievers of the last decade, Colome is in the lone year of his one-season contract with the Rockies. The former All-Star and MLB save leader currently has a 2.86 ERA in 34.2 innings. Colome is unlikely to return to Colorado as a bullpen arm that has already bounced between five teams. He already has playoff experience and is proven as a closer or set-up guy.

Colome is a perfect person for the Rockies to flip before the deadline. His 15 or so innings in the final two months of the season won’t be helping a 70-win team out much, but he could be the difference for another club’s fight in October. Colome’s strikeout numbers have also fallen off, and other stats suggest he may be due for some regression soon; he’s allowed three of his season’s 11 earned runs over 36 appearances in his last six outings. Colome has also not given up a longball this season and did that in 2020. A valued skill to have come crunch time.

Jose Iglesias, 32, RHB, SS/3B
Free agent after the 2022 season

Another player likely to walk after this season is veteran infielder Jose Iglesias. The former All-Star has playoff experience and has been a part of good teams. He could be a steady backup for any team planning to go deep. In 2022, he’s held his own at the plate, slashing 301/.340/.404. He’s always been known as a guy who hits lefties quite well and has a plus-glove on the defensive side. Moving him would also clear the way for top prospect Ezequiel Tovar to get a look at shortstop before the season ends. Tovar, 20, is in Double-A, OPS’ing .932 over 66 games. He could skip Triple-A and/or be sent there to start next season after getting a taste of the bigs.

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