Trade Deadline Primer Excerpt: Colorado Rockies

[Nick Nelson]

We start with the most obvious seller in the division – the team that's spent most of the season in last place. Colorado is customarily going nowhere and while their pitching staff has customarily been one of the worst in the National League, there are a few intriguing pieces here.

As always, young pitching tops Colorado's list of needs. That's something the Twins can offer.

Top Target
Daniel Bard, RH Reliever
The veteran reliever (and older brother of former Twins draft pick Luke Bard) has experienced a resurgence in his late-30s. He's racking up tons of strikeouts with a fastball that touches triple digits, and is excelling in basically every metric other than control – which thus far, hasn't bit him too much.

As of the All-Star break, he had a 2.02 ERA and was 20-for-22 on save attempts. His age (37), lack of a sustained track record, and free agency following this season will keep his asking price relatively in check, but Bard figures to be a hot commodity for contenders seeking late-inning help.

Other Targets of Interest
Kyle Freeland, LH Starter
He has frontline ability, but is battling through a down year and eligible for free agency after 2023. Possible buy-low opportunity for a good starter.

Lucas Gilbreth, LH Reliever
Golden Gopher alum is having a good sophomore season out of the Colorado bullpen, with lots of strikeouts but lots of walks.

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You're reading an excerpt of the 2022's Twins Daily Trade Deadline Primer about potential trade targets that we are providing free to Twins Daily's Caretakers. If you sign up now to be a Caretaker, you can download all six Divisional Dossiers as they're released, including the full version of this one, which we sent out to Caretakers earlier today. Plus, you'll get a free Offseason Handbook this fall and other perks. More importantly, you're helping support the writers and workers that make Twins Daily possible and keeping it viable for future generations of Twins fans. Thanks!

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Alex Colome, RH Reliever
Hey, stop laughing. I said stop laughing! Colome is actually having a very solid bounceback year with the Rockies, but a reunion seems ... unlikely.

Sleeper Target
Chad Kuhl, RH Starter
Don't be fooled by the unspectacular 4.11 ERA – he's been above-average through the lens of Coors Field (114 ERA+). Due for free agency at year's end, Kuhl could be a value pickup as a swingman.

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[Doctor Gast]

Bard is the top of my list for closers. My hope is that CO makes Marquez available. They should because they've lost their main core and there is no hope for them in NL West. Marquez is a frontline pitcher with a poor year. A change of scenery would do wonders for Marquez, getting out of Coors and having a decent defense behind him.

CO would get better prospects and get a high draft pick. In hope to a future winning team, the way they are running their team there's no hope.

[Mike Sixel]

Colorado has literally said they want to sign Bard to an extension...... Unreal. 

[Doctor Gast]

On 7/24/2022 at 3:55 PM, Mike Sixel said:

Colorado has literally said they want to sign Bard to an extension...... Unreal. 

Like I've said the last few years. CO is delusional. Arenardo wanted to leave there in 2020 because there was no path to winning. Yet their FO still think they can still win.

[ashbury]

Chad Kuhl has had a mediocre career.  His ERA+ this one season looks good since it contains a Coors lift - except, his splits are the opposite of what many pitchers show, as he's done better in Coors than on the road.  His road numbers look similar at a glance to his career numbers before joining the Rockies. 

Pass, unless the Twins need more depth to get them through the regular season at minimal cost, for some reason.  He might not be given a post-season start, were they to reach that stage.

[Blyleven2011]

2 hours ago, Mike Sixel said:

Colorado has literally said they want to sign Bard to an extension...... Unreal. 

I heard that he wasn't available  also ...

But anything is possible if the right offer is made ...

[JimPohlad1]

Colorado is not worth our time!