While plenty of mixed signals have been flying around regarding what the Colorado Rockies might do before or at the MLB Trade Deadline, one report states that the ballclub might be shipping players away.
If these new set of tea leaves are read properly, then it appears that the Colorado Rockies are getting ready to send some players to other teams.
The Rockies, entering Wednesday afternoon's game against the Washington Nationals, were two games behind the San Francisco Giants for fourth place in the National League West Division. The Giants lost their game earlier on Wednesday, too, putting Colorado in position to pick up another game.
Yet, there is a new sheriff in the Rockies' front office who appears to be taking a different direction than the previous administration. Rockies president of baseball operations Paul DePodesta and general manager Josh Byrnes apparently have been trading notes in recent weeks.
Report indicates Rockies will take action
A new report from Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic paints a pretty tough picture around what Colorado has planned for the trade deadline.
"The Colorado Rockies are fielding interest in starting pitchers on expiring contracts (Kyle Freeland, Michael Lorenzen, Tomoyuki Sugano) and position players under control beyond this season (Mickey Moniak, Jake McCarthy, Willi Castro), according to a person briefed on their discussions," Rosenthal and Hammon wrote.
Moniak and McCarthy have been names running wild in trade deadline stories and discussions. Now, Rockies fans wait and see if where there is smoke, there is fire regarding trades for both players.
Lorenzen is an interesting name mentioned here. He's not been that good this season for Colorado, so there may be some team in the MLB world that thinks they can fix whatever might be wrong with him.
"The biggest focus for rival clubs, however, is on the Rockies’ bullpen, most notably righty Antonio Senzatela, whose $14 million club option for next season likely will make him a rental as well," their report for The Athletic continued.
Will Senzatela get moved?
Senzatela has been a big boost out of the Rockies' bullpen, one of the pitchers who has worked effectively and kept the team in games late.
"A number of other Colorado relievers drawing interest are under long-term control. The Rockies traded such a pitcher, right-hander Seth Halvorsen, to the Dodgers on Monday, acquiring minor-league righty Nick Frasso and outfielder Landyn Vidourek in return," Rosenthal and Hammon continued.
"Halvorsen has only one-plus years of service," the report indicated. "Frasso has yet to reach the majors but has only one minor-league option remaining while Halvorsen has three. Vidourek, the Dodgers’ third-round pick in 2025, helped balance out the trade."
While it is true that the Rockies have been mired in last place in the NL West for most of this season, there have been signs of improvement. Any movement upward from last season's disastrous team might be welcome news for the Rockies' fan base.
It will be worth watching over the next few days if one, two, or all of these players are told to pack it up for a new MLB home.
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