As the MLB Trade Deadline draws nearer, the Colorado Rockies might make a trade or two. Will the franchise unload some young talent for more veteran players at this time?
What's more important to the Colorado Rockies right now? Winning more games this season, trying to push into a possible National League Wild Card spot? Will the team be willing to trade off some younger players for a couple of veteran playres?
For a team looking to rebuild some, thinking about ditching players like Cole Carrigg or minor-league sensation Charlie Condon sounds really dumb.
From a long-term perspective, Colorado should do all it can to keep those younger players in the Rockies' system. They are all showing signs of either already producing in the major leagues (like Carrigg), or just on the cusp of getting there (that means you, Condon).
Right now, the NL West Division standings show the Rockies in last place. They do have a chance to move ahead of the San Francisco Giants into fourth place, which would definitely be a breath of fresh air.
So, what will the Rockies do when it comes to making a trade or two at the deadline?
Insider believes Rockies will hold firm on young players
In a new article for ESPN, MLB reporter and insider Kiley McDaniel wrote a piece on an MLB prospect watch for all 30 MLB teams.
McDaniel had a list of different categories, where he placed MLB clubs in the ones that he thought they fit at this time.
Colorado found itself in the "teams likely to acquire prospects" category.
In a system snapshot, McDaniel wrote, "Trending up with solid seasons this year from SS Ethan Holliday, 1B Charlie Condon, OF Cole Carrigg, and CF Cristian Arguelles, while adding five solid prospects in the draft: SS Tyler Bell, C Daniel Jackson, RHP Logan Reddemann, RHP Tyler Putnam and C Jack Natili."
The Rockies do have some strong players coming up through their minor-league system. And, these players -- should Colorado hold onto them -- have a high upside to either reaching the MLB level at this point or doing so in the not-so-distant future.
Biggest need for Rockies?
What, though, is the franchise's biggest need at this time? McDaniel addresses that question, too.
"The diversity of their top 10-to-15 prospects is solid, so there isn't a need, per se -- but the organization needs impact talent, so it would be a mistake to target big league-ready, low-upside help if they can add real prospect value at the deadline," McDaniel wrote.
Impact talent is an interesting phrase used here by McDaniel. The Rockies need some players to fill in spots where there is some weakness. One of those areas definitely is in the starting pitcher role. Rockies manager Warren Schaeffer had worn out a path from the dugout to the pitching mound, having to remove starters after just a few innings this season.
Colorado needs some starters that can go deep into games. Not just three or four innings, but five-plus innings on a consistent basis. That takes a lot of the stress off of the team's bullpen, leaving relievers in a position to work one or even two innings if necessary.
Now, Rockies fans and even the MLB world waits to see what Rockies president of baseball operations Paul DePodesta and general manager Josh Byrnes do at the trade deadline.
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