Trade Deadline Primer Excerpt: Colorado Rockies

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.

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!

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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