Report: Rockies won’t trade one of their best players, new contract instead

So much for the Rockies being “sellers” at the trade deadline.

One of their most valuable assets, closer Daniel Bard, will be staying in Colorado.

Daniel Bard is finalizing a contract extension with the Rockies, per source. One of the better relievers on the trade market is no longer available.

— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) July 30, 2022

Daniel Bard’s extension with the Rockies is expected to be for two years and about $19 million, per source.

— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) July 30, 2022

The Rockies are dead last in the NL West with a 45-56 record and just 3-7 over their last 10 games. They sit 23 games back in the division and 8.5 games back of a wild card spot. They’re not making the playoffs. But apparently rather than fetch prospects for the 37-year-old Bard, they’ll keep him instead.

Look, Bard is a great pitcher, with 21 saves, 43 strikeouts and a 1.91 ERA. But why not trade him to a contender for prospects that can help the Rockies win in the future? This season isn’t going anywhere, and by the time the Rockies are anywhere close to good again, Bard will be out of baseball.

We’ll see if this is a sign of things to come before the August 2 trade deadline, but for now, the Rockies plan seems to be to stand pat. And that simply doesn’t make sense.

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