Boston Red Sox: A look at the Colorado Rockies trade chips

This past weekend the Rockies completed a blockbuster trade that sent Nolan Arenado to the Cardinals. The enormous trade ended Arenado’s eight year run with the Rockies. The former Gold Glove winner will complement first baseman Paul Goldschmidt in the Cardinals lineup.

Even the most heartfelt and eloquent Twitter thread will fall woefully short of capturing Nolan Arenado’s true excellence and lasting impact.

But we’re still gonna try 🧵 pic.twitter.com/JGYKurGhXP

— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) February 2, 2021

Following the trade, speculation began to surface as to whether the more trades are on the horizon. The Rockies have All-Star shortstop Trevor Story signed through 2021. Story will be eligible for free agency following the season. Colorado is expected to try and lock up the five-year shortstop. It is unlikely that Story is to be traded, but he will be an name to keep an eye on this upcoming season.

The Red Sox are not a fit for Story due to having Xander Bogaerts signed through 2026. Bogaerts has a opt-out clause after the 2022 season. While Red Sox fans would love the thought of Story’s bat in Boston, he’s not a fit, at least right now.

Colorado has starting pitchers who could provide exceptional value on the trade market. German Marquez, Kyle Freeland and Antonio Senzatela could be additional upgrades for Boston.

German Marquez

Marquez is the Rockies to trade chip outside of Story. Rockies owner Dick Monfort and GM Jeff Bridich haven’t specifically mentioned that their club is rebuilding. After this weekend’s trade involving Arenado, the Rockies aren’t in a position to compete.

As the Rockies face an incredible hill battle to rebuild their team, the Red Sox should reach out and see who’s available. Prior heading into the 2020 season, Marquez was coming off a 12-5 season where he made 28 starts. The 25-year-old right-handed starter finished 2019 with a 4.76 ERA. 

The one knock on Marquez he allows hard contact but has the ability to minimize the damage. He has a career 47.6% grounder rate and considering his home ballpark is Coors Field is impressive. 

Marquez will be entering his age-16 season, and he is already under contract through at least 2023. He signed a five-year, $43 million contract back in April 2019. If the Rockies feel inclined to trade their ace, he will be owed $36 million over the final three years of his contract. His deal also includes a $16 million option for 2024. 

This past winter, the Padres acquired two top of the rotation starters in You Darvish and Blake Snell. Marquez is younger than Snell but any trade package for him would be similar to what the Rays got back for their lefty. 

Based off how the Red Sox have done business since Chaim Bloom has taken over, it’s unlikely that the Boston will swing a deal for Marquez.

Kyle Freeland

An intruding option for Boston would be Rockies left-hander Kyle Freeland. The 27-year-old Freeland would enter the 2020 season coming off a disastrous 2019. That season he finished 3-11 with an abysmal 6.73 ERA over 22 starts. 

Kyle Freeland, Sick 87mph behind-the-back leg Slider. 😯 pic.twitter.com/vz0c5KJihR

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) September 8, 2020

The left-hander spent time in the minors during that rough 2019 season. While in the minors, he tweaked his delivery and focused on his changeup. Last season, Freeland was asked about his adjustments he’s made to become a better starter. 

“I’ve learned that the adjustments that I’ve made this offseason have begun to pay off,” Freeland told a reporter. “I’ve learned that spreading out your pitch mix in a closer or more even percentage has helped me quite a bit, especially incorporating that changeup and that curveball more and more. That has helped me keep hitters off-balance and has helped me not fall into a rut of fastball-slider. It’s also helping make sure that I’m evenly distributing my entire arsenal across the start.”

In 13 starts last season, he saw better success going 2-3 with a 4.33 ERA and leading the league with 13 starts. 

Freeland could be an interesting option for Boston. The intense and competitive left-hander would be an upgrade to the rotation. Based off some of the trades made this offseason, he would cost a relatively decent haul. Similar to Marquez, the Red Sox might hold off on a deal as they continue to replenish their system. Boston might look to be aggressive in the regular season adding to their roster if they are in the playoff hunt. 

Stars burning out in Colorado

A lot has changed in Colorado since their only World Series appearance in 2007. They’ve only made the postseason five times in their team history.

The Rockies have been in existence for 28-years and now have arguably traded their best player in Arenado. Colorado has felt like an organization that has never been on a path of building towards a winning culture. This past week, they’ve jettisoned another player in a trade with the Cardinals. Bloom would be wise to strike while the Rockies are down and try to acquire another arm for the 2021 season.

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– Chris Henrique (@ChrisHenrique on Twitter)