Can the Rockies be both a seller and a buyer in the lead-up to the 2026 Major League Baseball trade deadline on August 3?
Why not?
The Tampa Bay Rays have almost perfected that split personality over the last few years, buying aggressively and selling shrewdly, all with the good of the organization in mind. And they’re headed for the postseason. They might even hold off the New York Yankees and win the American League East.
The difference is obvious:
Outright buyers are playoff contenders. They inquire about the availability of specific “name” players and their asking prices, believing those players in question can make the difference down the stretch. These buyers initiate trades by offering prospects to sellers willing to move those “name” players.
Other buyers are not contenders, but they’re seeking building blocks for the future by selling “surplus” prospects to other teams also looking to build. They initiate deals by proposing swaps, not always only with teams still in the postseason hunt. These deals often come together in the offseason ahead, though labor negotiations this November and beyond may delay such deals this time around.
The Rockies have a couple of assets that contenders might want to “buy,” and some that Paul DePodesta and Josh Byrnes might be willing to “sell”for the right prospects in return.
Thanks to the expanded Wild Card, the “buy” market alone could involve between 20 and 25 teams.
Until back pain sidelined him a few weeks before the All-Star Break, Tomoyuki Sugano was Colorado’s most reliable starter in his first half-season with the Rockies. He will be a free agent when his one-year contract is up. Rental starters are attractive to buyers.
Antonio Senzatela has reinvented himself as a relief pitcher, and relievers are always in demand among contenders at the trade deadline. He, too, will be a free agent at season’s end, when his long-term contract ends. That makes him an attractive short-term prospect, as well.
Meanwhile, the nine-man logjam in the outfield must be reduced by three or four.
Most likely “sale” prospects are Gold Glove center fielder Brenton Doyle, who has missed much of this season with an injury but will soon complete his rehab assignment, and former starting left fielder Jordan Beck, a disappointment this season before injury sidelined him until recently.
Former first draft choice Mickey Moniak; who has flashed his top-choice potential in Denver, could be attractive to a contender looking to add punch to its offense.
Although the first rule of trading is, “You have to give up something to get something,” those who would drive this belief off the proverbial cliff have suggested that could mean the Rockies move Hunter Goodman and/or Jake McCarthy. (I’ll be surprised if they’re not building blocks in the eyes of DePodesta and Byrnes.)
Other possible trade chips are either of two prospects—Sterlin Thompson or Zac Veen—and possibly the .300-plus sub, Troy Johnston.
That would leave the exciting McCarthy (unless I’m wrong), recent call-up Cole Carrigg, whose dynamism exceeds (or complements) McCarthy’s, versatile Tyler Freeman and whoever survives from the group of expendables—while making room for top prospect Charlie Condon.
What do the Rockies need in return?
Pitching, of course.
Specifically, a reliable closer (unless Jordan Romano regains his Toronto form of a few years ago) and a couple dependable late-inning relievers. Beyond that, competent starters.
Sellers don’t land proven arms in any deadline trades.
But maybe DePodesta and Byrnes can land some prospects who they think might prove to be as successful as both McCarthy and standout rookie first baseman TJ Rumfield. They were acquired in below-the-radar trades last January—for pitchers who so far haven’t helped their new teams.
As far as Sugano and Senza are concerned, pitchers still in the low-level minors are better than nothing.
Yet, “selling” the two most effective pitchers on the team (who also are among the most experienced) and the likes of Silver Slugger and two-time All-Star Goodman could slow the rebuilding ball club’s climb for at least the rest of this season. (At the All-Star Break, the Rockies are just four victories short last year’s total of 43.)
Is it worth another 100-or-more losses, if that were to be the short-term price?
That’s the kind of risk-reward proposition DePodesta and Byrnes are paid to make—with two-cents’ worth from manager Warren Schaefer.
Their moves so far have made the Rockies more competitive and fun to watch.
Denny Dressman writes a weekly sports column for The Villager. You can write to Denny at dennydressman@comcast.net.