Colorado Rockies news and links for Wednesday, November 6, 2024
At times over the past several years, it’s seemed that Brendan Rodgers’s name has come up as a potential trade chip for the Colorado Rockies. After the 2018 season, it was rumored that the Rockies could have obtained J.T. Realmuto from the Miami Marlins if they included Rodgers in the trade. Before the 2023 season, it was rumored that the Rockies had discussions with the Marlins again about Rodgers which could have sent Edward Cabrera to Colorado. In both instances, it seems the Rockies balked at the prospect of trading Rodgers.
When it comes to Rodgers, the Rockies have been loyal and tight-fisted to a fault. After being drafted third overall, Rodgers has failed to live up to the full expectations placed upon him as injuries and inconsistencies at the plate have dimmed some of the light from his star. Still, Rodgers has shown glimpses and stretches of the type of contributor he can be at the plate to align with Gold Glove-worthy defense at second base. With 2025 being his final year of team control, it may be time for the Rockies to finally do the unexpected to trade Rodgers if possible.
In his age 27 season, Rodgers turned in a 1.0 rWAR season by slashing .267/.314/.407 with 13 home runs in 135 games. All things considered, his production is fairly average but it’s not worthless. He has his shortcomings when it comes to strikeouts and groundballs, but there is enough to like about his overall makeup that perhaps a new change of scenery could help remedy if a team is able to take advantage.
New York, New York?
It’s typical for the New York Yankees to immediately be the de facto suitor for any player that could potentially be on the trade block. After all, some of their fans think they can just rip a ball out of the glove of a player if it’s in their general vicinity. Still, the Yankees may be in the market for a new second baseman and Rodgers could fit the bill.
The Yankees aren’t exactly the best fielding team and Rodgers would immediately boost their infield defense at second base, pairing him with 2023 Gold Glove winner Anthony Volpe at shortstop. As it stands the Yankees’ infield alignment is a bit undetermined with Jazz Chisholm and Oswaldo Cabrera projected to play either second or third base with lackluster depth pieces behind them.
When healthy, Rodger has proven a helpful contributor, especially when he can make good contact. He has the capabilities to be a .300 hitter he could not only improve his walks to improve his on-base percentage but also work on hitting more line drives and fly balls. But hey, the Yankees had the same problems in that department so he would fit right in.
The Pacific Northwest
The Seattle Mariners suffered a heartbreaking fall in 2024 as they collapsed and saw the Houston Astros pass them to win the division and go to the postseason. Some of their trades didn’t quite pan out as the offense struggled all year to support a stellar pitching staff. Most notably, the team will need to address most of the infield, including second base.
Jorge Polanco struggled with injury and didn’t play much in 2024 and is now a free agent. Dylan Moore played the majority of games at second and is penciled in for 2025 and while he may have had a higher WAR thanks to stolen bases, Rodgers may present a better overall everyday option than the 31-year-old, freeing up Moore to be the utility man he’s always been.
Baseball Reference/Stathead
The Mariners have no shortage of arms they could choose to part with if the Rockies desire a big league-ready bullpen arm or perhaps some sort of starting pitcher to add to their depth. Add in the fact that Rodgers is projected to earn a little under $6 million in 2025 and it’s a palatable deal for the Mariners, even if it doesn’t break the mold of the hitters they’ve had the past two seasons.
Bean Town
Heading back out east, the Boston Red Sox are still looking for a solution at second base. In 2024 there was a bit of a rotating door as they shuffled players through hoping someone could establish themselves. They were left with some lackluster results as younger, inexperienced players struggled offensively. David Hamilton ended up having a decent year playing both middle infield positions and is currently penciled in as the starting second baseman, but could the Red Sox look to pair shortstop Trevor Story with his old double-play buddy?
Slotting Rodgers in at second for the Red Sox seems to make more sense than the trade to New York. Rodgers gives the Red Sox great defense at an affordable cost while giving them another right-handed bat in a lefty-heavy lineup. Should the need arise, Rodgers could enter a platoon situation with someone else at second base and perhaps even see time at other infield positions as needed. Plus, being a primarily pull hitter, Rodgers could look to elevate the ball more and take advantage of the Green Monster in left field, among Fenway’s other unique dimensions.
Will he be moved?
General manager Bill Schmidt has indicated that Rodgers is part of their plans for 2025, but what happens after that? The next season is likely to be another lost cause which should make a player with one year of control like Rodgers expendable. The team has regularly failed to capitalize on player values and Rodgers is quickly running out of it. Should they move him this winter, it at least gets them a better return than gambling on what he does during the first half of the 2025 season. Either way, the fact remains that if the Rockies are serious about building toward future contention, they need to be open, willing, and proactive in shopping players like Rodgers.
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Hunter Omlid, Colorado Rockies draft pick speaks at Bitterroot Red Sox early signup | NBC Montana
2024 draft pick Hunter Omlid stopped by to talk to players of one of the former teams he played with growing up.
Affected by Altitude Episode 137: It’s Miller Time! | Rocky Mountain Rooftop
In this week’s episode, I fly solo to talk about the Owen Miller trade and what the Rockies could do in free agency if at all.
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Arizona Fall League
Salt River Rafters 13, Mesa Solar Sox 11
It was a slugfest in the desert as the Salt River Rafters held off a ninth-inning rally by the Mesa Solar Sox to win 13-11. The Rockies had Skyler Messinger and Juan Guerrero in the lineup for the Rafters at first base and left field respectively. Messinger went 2-for-5 on the night with a double and three RBI while Guerrero went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer and three RBI.
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