Rumor: Rockies (Appear to) Plan to Be Sellers at Trade Deadline

[Brock Beauchamp]

This shouldn't be news but remember, we're talking about the Colorado Rockies here. This franchise has seen multiple trade deadlines come and go without moving key pieces that are approaching free agency, including last year when they made no trades and instead extended reliever Daniel Bard despite being well out of contention by the beginning of July.

Unfortunately, and in a very Rockies-esque move, the quotes about activity did not come from General Manager Bill Schmidt but instead were from dugout manager Bud Black, speaking to the hosts of Power Alley on SiriusXM Radio.

The most obvious and easy fit for the Twins is to target old friend CJ Cron, who has suffered injuries in 2023 and is performing well under his career norms. The 33-year-old is a free agent at season's end and could likely be had for a reasonable price and given how he swings from the not-devil's side of the plate, could easily slide into the Twins lineup and provide competency against devil's-handed pitchers.

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[Mike Sixel]

I believe I read they are interested in trading for Ohtani....which, um, sure?

[Brock Beauchamp]

Just now, Mike Sixel said:

I believe I read they are interested in trading for Ohtani....which, um, sure?

Never put anything past the Rockies. Remember that time they traded a potential HoF third baseman under contract for years, then paid top-dollar for another third baseman for years more, and then didn't play that third baseman at third base?

Oh man. Good times, good times.

[nicksaviking]

I feel bad for Rockies fans. Pittsburgh is more dysfunctional, but that's due to the worst and greediest owner in the league.

These guys seem to be trying, but are just really bad at it and have no grasp of building something sustainable.

[Brock Beauchamp]

5 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

I feel bad for Rockies fans. Pittsburgh is more dysfunctional, but that's due to the worst and greediest owner in the league.

These guys seem to be trying, but are just really bad at it and have no grasp of building something sustainable.

I feel terrible for their fans. Someone keeps trying to get me to start up a Rockies site and I have nothing against the franchise - and I really like Denver - but good lord, having to follow the actions of Monfort might drive me out of baseball entirely.

[nicksaviking]

I'd guess folks would be interested in Grichuk to play CF, but I don't trust players with a half season of success after several years of average at best production.

Unlike most years, I think I just want the team to stand pat. For one, I don't want to give this front office another shot at whiffing on trades. For another, they continue to play the vets instead of the higher ceiling young players. I don't need the underperforming vets replaced with other vets when they have almost completely disregarded the already bought and paid for internal options.

 

[notoriousgod71]

I always liked Cron for what he was.

[Mike Sixel]

My favorite this year is during the draft, where CO had three guys in their room, all of whom are older than me.....

[RpR]

C.J. Cron would be a great addition but the Twins do not need another First Baseman, and he is a good one both with the bat and glove.

[Major League Ready]

6 hours ago, RpR said:

C.J. Cron would be a great addition but the Twins do not need another First Baseman, and he is a good one both with the bat and glove.

Kirilloff to the OF.  Gallo gone by the deadline.  Cron would be a decent move.  He started out the year bad but has been better lately,

[Doctor Gast]

Many years CO has had players that'd been very interesting pieces. This year they have nothing of interest & now they are interested to trade? No thank you.

[Trov]

I would not give up any level of actual prospect for Cron.  I get he fills in to hit against lefties, but outside of that he will be taking at bats from overall better hitters.  He would be Garlick basically, and I am not a fan of a guy that will only be used to hit against lefties and nothing else. 

[Brock Beauchamp]

8 hours ago, Mike Sixel said:

My favorite this year is during the draft, where CO had three guys in their room, all of whom are older than me.....

Oh yeah, that was pure Rockies. Most teams' draft rooms look like the floor of the New York Stock Exchange in a 1980s movie while the Rockies have three old white dude sitting at laptops, probably playing minesweeper (and losing).

[TwinsDr2021]

I would take a chance on Lawrence (not sure why they would trade him with 5 years of control but..) Also Bard but he is kind of expensive for a 38 year old and not sure why they would trade him since he choose to sign back with them. I would also take a flyer on Hand for a nothing prospect with the idea he would have a real short leash. He seems like the kind of guy that hasn't been great but can catch fire for a few months.

[Mike Sixel]

1 hour ago, Brock Beauchamp said:

Oh yeah, that was pure Rockies. Most teams' draft rooms look like the floor of the New York Stock Exchange in a 1980s movie while the Rockies have three old white dude sitting at laptops, probably playing minesweeper (and losing).

That minesweeper but makes me feel seen...

[Vanimal46]

The Rockies have next to nothing of interest to trade… CJ Cron is fine. I guess I’d trade a minor league filler like Mark Contreras. Zero interest in Bard or Hand. They should probably get out of the Kris Bryant contract while they are able to. 

Colorado has some under the radar awful contracts on their books. Kyle Freeland for some reason is locked in for 4 more seasons around $15 million per year. Antonio Senzatela is also, for some reason, locked in for 4 more seasons around $11 million per year. Bard guaranteed $9.5 million next year. Gross. 

[Stew]

I wanted Cron even when we let him go. He should have been at first instead of Sano. Back then we could have gotten something for Sano. Maybe a couple of those big buckets of bubble gum. I agree send Gallow packing, maybe Kepler too. Should get prospects for them. Or use on of them for a  trade for Cron.

[clone52]

I'd take Grichuk as a platoon guy.  Play him against lefties.

[SwainZag]

5 minutes ago, Stew said:

I wanted Cron even when we let him go. He should have been at first instead of Sano. Back then we could have gotten something for Sano. Maybe a couple of those big buckets of bubble gum. I agree send Gallow packing, maybe Kepler too. Should get prospects for them. Or use on of them for a  trade for Cron.

Cron doesn't hit outside of Coors field and he is struggling this year.

2022 Splits:
Coors: .303/.354/.601   22 HR  75 RBI  309 PA
Away: .214/.279/.340    7 HR   27 RBI  323 PA

2021:
Coors: .326/.412/.661   19 HR  68 RBI  274 PA

Away: ,235/.337/.397  9 HR  24 RBI  273 PA

2023 numbers:  .251/.297/.455  Good for .752 OPS and 91 OPS+

He seems to be on the downside of his career and hasn't hit outside of Coors field really since he was the Twins in 2019.  I say hard pass on CJ.

[TwinsFan98]

I read on MLB.com that Grichuk could be a possible target for the Twins. Seems to fit a need. Would love for the Twins to get Brent Suter too. Dude is having s good season.

[Riverbrian]

14 hours ago, SwainZag said:

Cron doesn't hit outside of Coors field and he is struggling this year.

2022 Splits:
Coors: .303/.354/.601   22 HR  75 RBI  309 PA
Away: .214/.279/.340    7 HR   27 RBI  323 PA

2021:
Coors: .326/.412/.661   19 HR  68 RBI  274 PA

Away: ,235/.337/.397  9 HR  24 RBI  273 PA

2023 numbers:  .251/.297/.455  Good for .752 OPS and 91 OPS+

He seems to be on the downside of his career and hasn't hit outside of Coors field really since he was the Twins in 2019.  I say hard pass on CJ.

What if that isn't a Coors split but a home split? 🤔😁

[SwainZag]

6 hours ago, Riverbrian said:

What if that isn't a Coors split but a home split? 🤔😁

🤯🤯🤯

[ashbury]

8 hours ago, Riverbrian said:

What if that isn't a Coors split but a home split? 🤔😁

"Mr Cron, I have seen home splits. I know home splits. Home splits are my best friends. Mr Cron, these are no home splits."

[Riverbrian]

2 hours ago, ashbury said:

"Mr Cron, I have seen home splits. I know home splits. Home splits are my best friends. Mr Cron, these are no home splits."

[JD-TWINS]

On 7/19/2023 at 7:27 AM, Major League Ready said:

Kirilloff to the OF.  Gallo gone by the deadline.  Cron would be a decent move.  He started out the year bad but has been better lately,

Kirilloff to the OF - Gallo gone - Solano to 1B.

[Major League Ready]

42 minutes ago, JD-TWINS said:

Kirilloff to the OF - Gallo gone - Solano to 1B.

That works too.  My memory of Cron's time here was that he was good defensively.   Solono is not.  Too bad they did not have Julien spend time at 1B in the minors.  Maybe they worked on it in practice and he sucked, IDK.

[Otaknam]

On 7/19/2023 at 4:27 AM, Major League Ready said:

Kirilloff to the OF.  Gallo gone by the deadline.  Cron would be a decent move.  He started out the year bad but has been better lately,

They paid Gallo $11 million this year, so cutting him and bringing up Larnach or someone else means they still pay Gallo but have to pay another player on a rookie contract. That would be cheap on their part. It would also mean that the Gallo signing was a FO mistake.

[Aerodeliria]

On 7/19/2023 at 10:02 PM, Trov said:

I would not give up any level of actual prospect for Cron.  I get he fills in to hit against lefties, but outside of that he will be taking at bats from overall better hitters.  He would be Garlick basically, and I am not a fan of a guy that will only be used to hit against lefties and nothing else. 

I Croncur. I wouldn't give up anyone with any potential upside to get him.

[John Belinski]

On 7/21/2023 at 7:40 PM, Otaknam said:

They paid Gallo $11 million this year, so cutting him and bringing up Larnach or someone else means they still pay Gallo but have to pay another player on a rookie contract. That would be cheap on their part. It would also mean that the Gallo signing was a FO mistake.

It was a big mistake to pay him $11 million.  No other team would have paid him that much. Twins could have got more production for a lot less money.