MEDIA CLIPS – July 24th, 2018

Inbox: Should Rox pursue reliever at Deadline? Beat reporter Thomas Harding answers questions from Colorado fans By Thomas Harding MLB.com @harding_at_mlb Jul. 23rd, 2018

DENVER -- The most likely way the Rockies will pick to keep their surge going is to improve the by the July 31 non-waiver Deadline -- or at least that's the way I'm answering the first question in the Edward Jones Beat

Reporter's Inbox.

Thomas Harding

✔@harding_at_mlb

Please tweet me here with your questions for the next @EdwardJones #Rockies Beat Reporter's Inbox.

Eric Swanson@Eric_C_Swanson

With all the money spent on the bullpen this offseason, yet it still seems to be a need for this team; is there any chance they make a move to acquire a reliever at the deadline?

7:08 AM - Jul 23, 2018

This question is the biggest one that the Rockies are likely to address. In doing so, let's address exactly what the need is.

First, I'll determine what's pertinent, and any stat for any reliever that takes into account the season is not.

I'm going to look at the Rockies' bullpen starting June 28, the beginning of the club's current 15-4 . The full bullpen is 7-

2 with a 3.34 ERA over that period, but even that doesn't tell us the exact areas of strength and need. 1

Let's zero in on key individuals, working from the ninth to earlier (more or less), starting June 28:

• Wade Davis: nine , 1.00 ERA, .129 average against, 11 , two walks

• Righty Adam Ottavino: 10 2/3 IP, 3.38 ERA, .318 BAA, 14 SO, 5 BB

• Righty Scott Oberg: 10 IP, 1.80 ERA, .278 BAA, 10 SO, 1 BB

• Righty Bryan Shaw: 4 1/3 IP (since his return from a right calf strain), 2.08 ERA, .188 BAA, 6 SO, 2 BB

• Lefty Chris Rusin: 7 1/3 IP, 6.14 ERA, .323 BAA, 4 SO, 3 BB

• Lefty Jake McGee: 5 2/3 IP, 6.35 ERA, .273 BA, 6 SO, 3 BB (.905 OPS against)

So this gives the Rockies two ways to shore up the back end of the bullpen.

Rusin and McGee so far haven't found consistency. One boost could be lefty Harrison Musgrave when he returns from a right hip flexor issue. He's a rookie who doesn't have great command, but he has held lefties to a .209 average and righties to .186. Or the Rockies could seek experience in a trade.

A bigger move would be to acquire another team's primary setup man or closer. No one expected Ottavino to keep up his incredible first half, and the numbers lately could merely be a natural difficult patch. Nonetheless, Ottavino, Oberg and

Shaw could benefit from another experienced setup man. Hard-throwing but relatively inexperienced Carlos Estevez is an option at Triple-A Albuquerque.

Casey monaghan@Caseymonaghan5

@harding_at_mlb I feel missing the playoffs this year makes Nolan’s free agent departure almost certain. That said, shouldn’t Bridich think big at the deadline, like Realmuto or DeGrom big? At worst it doesn’t work they can just trade

Arenado next year and re-load the farm

3:28 PM - Jul 22, 2018

As the Rockies showed last year by relying on homegrown pitching depth and are showing now by getting contributions from homegrown bench players (and, they hope, fill-in Garrett Hampson), their multiple spare parts are valuable. So giving up multiple players for one has to be done carefully.

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If Jacob deGrom is truly available, the Rockies owe it to themselves to explore -- but do it with their depth in mind.

Catching is difficult to acquire and J.T. Realmuto seems to be available, but it's the same story.

As for how this fits with Nolan Arenado, who is eligible for free agency after next season, that can't be the front-burner issue. That's simply because Arenado has every right to let the next year-plus play out, and he could test the market even if the Rockies win both World Series. And the Rockies must look at him in an overall payroll context, meaning they have to see what the cost would be and could they continue to be competitive after committing to it.

Look at the Royals teams that played in the 2015 World Series and won it in '16. Many of those guys aren't there anymore. The Rockies' priorities have to be protecting their competitive window as long as possible, whether or not they can retain Arenado.

Thomas Harding

✔@harding_at_mlb

Please tweet me your questions for the next #Rockies @EdwardJones Beat Reporter's Inbox

Meredith Wills@Bbl_Astrophyscs

Assuming he keeps doing what he did last night, where do you see Hampson fitting in once LeMahieu comes off the DL?

2:14 PM - Jul 22, 2018

Saturday was an impressive debut for Hampson, just up from Albuquerque, and the Rockies hope his offensive approach and speed will help tide the lineup over until DJ LeMahieu can return.

No telling if any holes will materialize between now and when LeMahieu returns. But the Rockies prepared Hampson for a multi-position role at -A Hartford and Albuquerque by playing him for 48 combined games (all starts) at second base, 37 games (all starts) at and eight games (six starts) in center field.

Those are positions where the Rockies have mainstay players, but the depth paid off when LeMahieu suffered his injury.

Also, last season, Bud Black used Raimel Tapia and Mike Tauchman as reserves for hitting and baserunning, and running is one of the right-handed-hitting Hampson's strengths. So there would still be use for him after LeMahieu returns. 3

Bryan Shaw thinks he can be the solution to Rockies’ bullpen woes By PATRICK SAUNDERS | [email protected] | The Denver Post PUBLISHED: July 23, 2018 at 3:12 pm | UPDATED: July 23, 2018 at 3:16 pm

As the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline nears, questions swirl around the Rockies’ shopping list.

It’s clear that shoring up their suspect bullpen should be their top priority, but it’s unclear how active the Rockies will be. Will they stand pat? Will they get into a bidding war with other teams for the services of Baltimore left-hander Zach

Britton, who would be a half-season rental?

Or does the solution already reside in Colorado’s bullpen?

Right-hander Bryan Shaw believes the latter is the case. He believes he can be the solution.

“I’m healthy now, and if I put up the numbers I have in my career, it’s basically like getting a new person,” Shaw said upon his return from the disabled list on July 11.

Manager Bud Black won’t go that far, but he believes a rejuvenated Shaw could provide a huge boost to a bullpen that carries a 5.17 ERA, the worst in the National League.

“No doubt, but there are a lot of appearances left … Hopefully things will turn for Bryan,” Black said.

Black is leaning on Shaw’s career track record with Cleveland, as well as Shaw’s performance in a handful of appearances since he came off the disabled list. Yet there is plenty to doubt about Shaw’s ability to be the bridge the

Rockies need to reach dependable eighth-inning set-up man Adam Ottavino.

Before going on the disabled list June 24 with a strained right calf muscle, Shaw’s season was in shambles. A day before he went on the DL, the reliever served up a grand slam to Miami’s J.T. Realmuto in a 6-2 loss. It was the low point for

Shaw, 30, who signed a three-year, $27 million contract in the offseason. After Realmuto’s grand slam, his ERA spiked to

7.57. After 41 appearances, Shaw had already allowed eight home runs, matching career highs of 2015 (74 appearances) and 2016 (in 75).

Since coming off the DL and making two rehab appearance at Triple-A Albuquerque, Shaw has pitched better. The

Rockies have eased him back into the picture, but the numbers are encouraging. In four appearances (4 ⅓ innings), he’s given up one on three hits, with six strikeouts and two walks.

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In Colorado’s dramatic 11-10 victory at Arizona on Friday night, Shaw was thrust into a late-game role because closer

Wade Davis was out with food poisoning. Shaw pitched the seventh inning and got two outs in the eighth, giving up one run, on one , while striking out four and walking none.

“What we saw from Bryan, and what we saw in his couple of rehab outings, gave us an indication that we think the tide is turning for Bryan,” Black said. “We saw some great fastballs, with cutting action. His delivery looked much better and under better control.”

Shaw’s bread-and-butter pitch is his cutter, and while lack of velocity has not been a problem, the location of the pitch has. Black, however, thinks that problem is close to being fixed, noting the Shaw is beginning to command his cutter down and underneath the hands of left-handed batters, and down and away to right-handers.

“What I liked more than anything was the controlled effort through the delivery,” Black said. “It did not look like he was overthrowing the ball. It did not look like he was muscling his pitches. The tempo through his delivery was almost ideal — from my visual. I think the overall pitch quality was really good. That’s a good sign.”

Shaw called his recent outings “building blocks.” He admitted that he’s not yet the same who was the dependable workhorse for Cleveland, when he led the in appearances in three of the past four seasons, pitching in

80 games in 2014, 75 in 2016 as the Indians won the AL pennant, and 79 in 2017. Shaw’s postseason resume glitters:

2.45 ERA, 22 strikeouts and six walks in 22 career playoff innings.

His mission now is to help get Colorado to the playoffs.

“My confidence level is high, the confidence is always there,” he said. “It’s been more frustrating than anything else. But

I’m healthy now and I’ve got some mechanical things worked out. I can help this team.”

Looking ahead

Astros RHP Gerrit Cole (10-2, 2.52 ERA) at Rockies LHP Tyler Anderson (6-3, 3.72), 6:40 p.m., ATTRM

Cole has been one of the National League’s best starters this season, and the all-star right-hander is throwing nearly as well on the road (2.53 ERA) as he is within the confines of Minute Maid Park (2.52). The Rockies are hitting a collective 5

.197 (14-for-71) against Cole, with Nolan Arenado leading the way with a .455 average (5-for-11) and two home runs.

Meanwhile, Anderson looks to pick up where he left off going into the all-star break, as the southpaw had a 0.96 ERA and

0.79 WHIP in his four previous starts, three of which were Rockies’ wins. Anderson has never faced anyone on the

Astros. — Kyle Newman, The Denver Post

Wednesday: Astros RHP Charlie Morton (11-2, 2.96) at Rockies RHP Jon Gray (8-7, 5.44), 6:40 p.m., ATTRM

Thursday: Off day

Friday: Athletics LHP Sean Manaea (9-6, 3.38) at Rockies TBA, 6:40 p.m., ATTRM

Saturday: Athletics LHP Brett Anderson (1-2, 6.08) at Rockies LHP Kyle Freeland (8-6, 3.28), 6:10 p.m., ATTRM

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Rockies-Diamondbacks Series Grades: A team effort to get the ‘W’ By Andre Simone - Posted on July 23, 2018 | BSN Denver

The Colorado Rockies just keep winning, beating their division rivals Arizona Diamondbacks two out of three in a big series win.

Surprisingly, there weren’t tons of standouts performances or great outings from the Rocks , it was a group effort with some big pinch-hit ABs from Raimel Tapia and Tom Murphy.

As we do after each series, using our advanced statistics and our in-house all-encompassing metric DPR, here are our individual grades.

Note: The scores below are each player’s average DPR for the series. All Rockies stats can be found here.

Nolan Arenado (92.89 — A+): Nolan was on fire in game one, with his highest DPR of the season going 3-for-5 with two jacks and four RBIs. He only contributed two walks and struck out twice in game two the rest of the weekend but that massive game one outing was essential in Colorado pulling off the 11-to-10 win.

Trevor Story (66.31 — B-): Story was very consistent getting a hit in each game and walking three times in the series while adding a stolen base. Like everyone, his game three performance was his worst and he struck out four times in the three games which lowered his score significantly.

Charlie Blackmon (76.40 — B+): Blackmon was incredibly steady in this series, getting a hit in each game though he only had one extra-base hit. He also added two walks in the first two outings and scored three runs in game one. His rating could’ve been even higher if not for three Ks. His DPR has kept on climbing this month, which is a huge boost for the offense.

DJ LeMahieu (34.21 — F): DJ missed the rest of the series due to an oblique strain. He appeared in only two ABs in game one but wasn’t able to do anything.

Ian Desmond (84.39 — A-): Desi had a nice series, getting an extra-base hit in each game, going off for a double, triple and . He had a significant impact in the first two games and was the only batter to do damage off of Zack

Greinke in game three. With his DPR on the season now at 61.38 he’s really picked it up.

Carlos Gonzalez (62.94 — C+): CarGo was essential in the high-scoring game one, managing two hits with an RBI and a run. He had a nice double in game two as well, though he struck out once. His game three performance wasn’t all that good as he struck out twice and couldn’t get on base at all, but an impactful series none the less.

Garrett Hampson (51.94 — C-): Hampson had a nice debut getting a big RBI double and making a beautiful defensive play early on. He also walked once while striking out another time. His game three start wasn’t nearly as prolific as he had 7

an and struck out once. All considered he had a solid first big-league series, with his performance in game two proving to be essential in the Rockies coming away with the win.

Gerardo Parra (44.89 — D+): Parra was seeing the ball really well in the first two games getting four walks and scoring twice. His performance in the third game was as bad as anyone, striking out twice and grounding into a double play.

Tom Murphy (50.25 — C-): Murphy had a massive go-ahead homer in game two which really helps his rating. Starting in game three, he struck out twice and had a K on a pinch-hit in game one, but that massive homer was crucial in the

Rockies winning the series.

Raimel Tapia (62.31 — C+): Tapia only had three pinch-hit at-bats in the series but his huge grand slam is where he really had an impact. His 0.516 WPA is the highest of anyone this series, in a game, as he came up clutch in the high-scoring game one battle.

Pat Valaika (36.94 — D-): Valaika came in for DJ in game one and managed to walk once and strike out once. Nothing too noteworthy as his WPA was in the negative.

Chris Iannetta (27.68 — F): For the second series in a row Iannetta gets an F having started game two and coming in late in game one for one AB that he struck out on. His offensive contribution was simply lacking.

Tony Wolters (67.66 — C): Wolters played in game one getting a bases-loaded walk while adding a run.

Note: it’s not reflected in his DPR score but he had two costly errors that resulted in two Diamondbacks runs. That brought his grade down to a C.

Noel Cuevas (31.45 — F): Cuevas’ was one of the few hitters in the lineup in game one to not get a hit. His OBP has now dropped below .300 in July where he only has four hits in 20 ABs.

German Marquez (43.60 — D): Marquez had his worst outing of the month on the mound, going five innings and allowing eight hits for six runs—five earned. His -0.391 WPA was one of the worst of the series.

He did have a terrific offensive outing with two singles and an RBI, for an offensive DPR of 87.51. He’s now hitting an absurd .361 on the year, a full 100 points higher than the .269 batting average that he’s allowing to opposing hitters.

Kyle Freeland (54.51 — C-): Freeland was far from spectacular while grinding out five innings and allowing four runs off of five hits, adding three walks and only striking out three. In only 77 pitches he had a negative WPA in his worst outing per DPR since May 29th.

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Antonio Senzatela (62.59 — C+): You wouldn’t think it looking at the final score of each game, but Senzatela actually had the best start of any Rockies pitcher in this series, which isn’t saying much. He was solid in 5.1 innings allowing four runs and striking out six. That simply wasn’t enough to battle Greinke.

Chris Rusin (26.80 — F): Rusin managed to get only one out in two appearances against Arizona while conceding four runs—three earned. The all-star break didn’t seem to have done him any good as he had one of the worst performances from anyone in the purple pinstripes.

Adam Ottavino (73.13 — B): Otto got a in game one while allowing a run that he inherited in 1.1 innings, he also walked one and had a 1-to-5 ground ball to fly ball ration. He was much better in game two striking out two and forcing a ground ball out.

While he hasn’t been the consistently lights out pitcher he was earlier in the season, he’s still been pretty damn good when he’s on.

Wade Davis (62.97 — C+): Davis wasn’t the cleanest allowing a hit and a walk in game two though he recovered with two

Ks and two ground ball outs to get the save. His 68-percent strike percentage and positive WPA helped his score as well.

Jake McGee (70.72 — B): McGee came into game two for a solid outing walking one but striking out another and forcing a ground ball out. His 50-percent strike percentage wasn’t great but he got the job done with a positive WPA.

Bryan Shaw (71.73 — B): Shaw was strong in two outings though he did allow a run in 1.2 innings in game one while striking out four. In game three he came in for an inning walking one but getting out unscathed.

Scott Oberg (44.54 — D): Oberg struggled in game two despite having an incredible defensive play—which DPR doesn’t account for. His outing in game one was fairly solid, though, he did allow a hit, shutting down Arizona with a and a 71-percent strike rate after that.

Yency Almonte (55.84 — C): Almonte struggled a bit, allowing two hits and walking another but managed to get out unscathed in 1.2 innings in game three.

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Rockies Have to Prove They Can Play With the Big Boys Rest of the Way TRACY RINGOLSBY - JULY 23, 2018 | InsideTheSeams.com

The Rockies have played themselves back into the NL West race.

They have done it the hard way.

Dates Opp W L June 29-July 1 at LAD 2 1 July 2-4 SF 3 0 July 6-8 Sea 2 1 July 10-12 Ari 2 1 July 13-15 at Sea 3 0 July 20-22 at Ari 2 1 The returned home on Sunday night, prepared to open a two-game series against the defending world champion

Houston Astros at Coors Field on Tuesday night having won a franchise record six consecutive series against teams with a winning record. They went 14-4 during that stretch, winning five of six from the Mariners, four of six from the Diamondbacks, two of three from the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium, and sweeping three games from the

Giants.

That, however, is just the start of what will be an even more challenging finish to the season. With 63 games remaining to play, the Rockies have 18 of their final 20 series against teams that are currently .500 or better.

The only exceptions are two series -- one home and one away -- against the Padres. They have two other series with teams that are .500 -- two games at the Angels, and the season-ending three-game visit to Coors Field by the Nationals.

ROCKIES ARE FACING A WINNING HAND

Date Opponent W-L Standing Tues-Wed vs. Astros 66-36 1st ALW Fri-Sun vs. Athletics 57-43 3rd ALW Mon-Aug. 2 at Cardinals 50-49 4th ALC Aug. 3-5 at Brewers 56-45 2nd NLC Aug. 6-8 vs. Pirates 51-49 3rd NLC Aug. 9-12 vs. Dodgers 55-44 1st NLW Aug. 14-15 at Astros 66-36 1st ALW Aug. 16-19 at Braves 53-43 2nd NLE

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Date Opponent W-L Standing Aug. 21-23 vs. Padres 41-61 5th NLW Aug 24-26 vs. Cardinals 50-49 4th ALC Aug 27-28 at Angels 50-50 4th ALW Aug 30-Sept.2 at Padres 41-61 5th NLW Sept 3-5 vs. Giants 51-50 4th NLW Sept 7-9 vs. Dodgers 55-44 1st NLW Sept 10-13 vs. D-Backs 54-46 2nd NLW Sept. 14-16 at Giants 51-50 5th NLW Sept. 17-19 at Dodgers 55-44 1st NLW Sept 21-23 at D-Backs 54-46 2nd NLW Sept 24-27 vs. Phillies 55-43 1st NLE Sept 28-30 vs. Nationals 49-49 3rd NLE There is, however, a benefit in that the Rockies have 35 of their final 63 games at Coors Field. Don't get misled by the fact they are only 23-23 at home this year. The fact they were able to get back to .500 at home by the All-

Star Break is an accomplishment in itself.

The Rockies have won 12 of their last 15 games at Coors Field, and they have done it primarily because of a strong effort from the pitching staff. Rockies pitchers have a 3.60 ERA in those 15 games.

GETTING COMFORTABLE AT HOME

Date Opp W Sv IP H R ER HR BB SO 6/19/2018 NYM W 0 9 9 8 6 0 4 10 6/20/2018 NYM W 1 9 13 8 8 0 9 6 6/21/2018 NYM W 1 9 11 4 4 1 4 6 6/22/2018 Mia W 0 9 10 3 1 1 1 14 6/23/2018 Mia L 0 9 9 6 6 2 4 9 6/24/2018 Mia L 0 9 12 8 7 1 4 11 7/2/2018 SF W 1 9 5 2 2 1 1 5 7/3/2018 SF W 0 9 6 1 1 0 2 4 7/4/2018 SF W 1 9 3 0 0 0 3 10 7/10/2018 Ari L 0 9 8 5 5 3 7 10 7/11/2018 Ari W 0 9 6 2 2 1 3 10 7/12/2018 Ari W 0 9 7 1 1 0 2 7 7/13/2018 Sea W 1 9 12 7 7 0 4 7 7/14/2018 Sea W 1 9 5 1 1 0 1 8 7/15/2018 Sea W 0 9 9 3 3 0 1 8

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Date Opp W Sv IP H R ER HR BB SO ERA 3.60 12-3 6 135 125 59 54 10 50 125 A key, manager Bud Black said during the weekend, is to become most consistent in throwing strikes. The

Rockies definitely walk fewer batters in wins than losses.

WINNING WAYS

Total W L Sv BSv G IP H R ER HR BB SO ERA AVG OBP Total 53 46 32 17 99 879 866 489 462 111 343 835 4.73 0.258 0.33 In Wins 53 0 32 5 53 482 380 148 135 36 156 469 2.52 0.218 0.284 In Losses 0 46 0 12 46 397 486 341 327 75 187 366 7.41 0.302 0.378 The Rockies do have the challenge of home games being played at Coors Field, but ranking eighth in the NL in walks issued adds to the problem, and plays into the fact they have allowed the second highest average and second highest ERA in the National League. Both of those factors are due in part to high walk totals, which creates more pressure situations for pitchers.

WHO'S IN CONTROL

Team BB Team AVG Team ERA Dodgers 274 Reds 0.267 Reds 4.81 Phillies 288 Rockies 0.258 Rockies 4.73 Nationals 289 Padres 0.256 Marlins 4.72 D-Backs 316 Pirates 0.253 Mets 4.31 Pirates 316 Marlins 0.251 Pirates 4.24 Giants 333 Giants 0.251 Giants 3.98 Padres 340 Cardinals 0.246 Cardinals 3.95 Rockies 343 Phillies 0.242 Nationals 3.89 Reds 352 Nationals 0.24 Braves 3.87 Cardinals 352 D-Backs 0.238 Phillis 3.84 Brewers 356 Dodgers 0.236 Cubs 3.7 Braves 373 Cubs 0.234 Brewers 3.7 Marlins 393 Brewers 0.232 D-Backs 3.68 Cubs 424 Braves 0.232 Dodgers 3.46

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Colorado Rockies trade talk: Ranking the team’s top three needs by Kevin Henry2 hours ago | RoxPile

Plenty has come out in recent hours about the Colorado Rockiespotentially pursuing some arms at the upcoming trade deadline. The Rockies have been linked to Kevin Gausman, Dylan Bundy and Zach Britton of the Baltimore

Orioles while one national writer said the Rockies were looking at pitchers from multiple teams.

So with all of these sudden rumors, that means that the Rockies should go after pitching at the trade deadline, right? It’s crazy to think about after an offseason where Colorado spent big money on Jake McGee, Wade Davis and Bryan

Shaw to form a “super bullpen,” but the Rockies may be getting ready to spend more resources (including some prospects) to acquire another piece to the bullpen.

A month ago, if you had asked Rockies fans what they thought the Rockies needed to do at the trade deadline, many would have responded that Colorado should go after a . Ian Desmond started the season in, shall we say, a less-than-desirable way, hitting .154 in April and .215 in May. However, just as he improved from April to May, he has also gotten better in every month since then, hitting .261 in June and .339 so far in July. With 19 homers and 58 RBI and an

OPS of .777 (not earth-shattering but better than his .509 OPS in April), Colorado doesn’t have a first baseman at the top of its list … or so it seems.

So what are the priorities for the Rockies as the trade deadline approaches? Let’s take a look at the top 3…

First, relief pitching

Yes, it sounds crazy, but the Rockies could add another arm in the bullpen and benefit in a big way. Adam Ottavino has had an All-Star-caliber season and Scott Oberg has come on nicely in recent outings, but there still are some issues with

“the bridge” between Colorado’s starters and the back end of the bullpen.

As Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post pointed out in this article, if Colorado can find a “seventh-inning guy,” it could make a world of difference. Chris Rusin was so good as a Swiss army knife for the Rockies last season, filling in as a situational pitcher or if needed. However, it’s been a completely different season for Rusin this year as he has struggled to a 6.81 ERA and has walked 20 batters in 39.2 innings (compared to 19 in 85 innings last season).

Potential fits

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Could a Kyle Barraclough(currently with 10 saves for Miami) or Jared Hughes (with a 1.59 ERA for Cincinnati) be fits for this position. Quite possibly. With the Rockies tied into the Zach Britton rumors as well, he could be a fit here (even though he has been Baltimore’s closer in recent years when healthy).

Potential in-house solutions

Colorado’s starting rotation is getting ready to be crowded with Chad Bettis and German Marquez returning soon. Could

Bettis be moved to the bullpen? What about Marquez or Antonio Senzatela? There has even been talk of Jon Gray in the bullpen when he was struggling mightily earlier this season. Could Harrison Musgrave grow into this role? What about Carlos Estevez, who will be returning soon from injury?

Second, catching

It isn’t out of the realm of possibilities for the Rockies to go out and acquire a at the trade deadline. After all, it worked well for Colorado last season when Jonathan Lucroy was acquired from the . It shored up a position of need for the Rockies … who once again find themselves in need of upgrading behind the dish again in 2018.

So far, Colorado have struggled this season. Chris Iannetta, signed in the offseason to replace Lucroy, has forged a -0.4 WAR this season while putting together a .227/.327/.381 slash line in 63 games. Tony Wolters is hitting just

.156 with a -0.1 WAR in 45 games. Tom Murphy, viewed by many as the future for the Rockies behind the plate, at least has a 0.0 WAR in 21 games and has put together a .276/.300/.431 slash line in 58 at-bats.

Yes, the Rockies can do better behind the plate.

Potential fits

First of all, there is no reunion with Lucroy coming. Oakland is in the American League playoff hunt and will not be trading him back to Colorado. Let’s dispel that myth right now.

Miami’s J.T. Realmuto and Wilson Ramos of Tampa Bay are the two most notable trade targets for not only the Rockies, but a number of other teams who are looking to upgrade behind the plate. After that, the options drop off quickly in terms of talent.

Outside of these two players, it’s hard to see anyone who might be worth the Rockies giving up a prospect.

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Third, starting pitching

After relief pitching and catching, the “this makes sense for the Rockies” list drops off considerably. Starting pitching is listed here for one simple reason. If the Rockies can land someone who could step in as their “” or the pitcher they would trust in a one-game playoff, that’s one thing. However, if they are trading for a starter to be a third or fourth guy in the rotation, it doesn’t make as much sense.

Why? Because, as we discussed earlier, Colorado already has plenty of starters. Sure, some of those can be moved to the bullpen, but unless a pitcher from another organization is a clear upgrade, it doesn’t make sense to make a move just to make a move.

As has been discussed in several spots, including this article, the one name who might make sense in this category is Jacob deGrom of the . There are few names out there who might tempt the Rockies to part with some of their top prospects and deGrom is definitely one of them.

Colorado’s starting rotation has been strong in recent games. Adding an “ace” into that mix would be impressive.

However, the likelihood of that happening instead of the Rockies adding on at another position seems unlikely.

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Should the Rockies trade for another pitcher? By Justin Michael - July 23, 2018 | Mile High Sports

The Colorado Rockies (53-46) have not looked like a playoff team all season. After coming into the year with sky-high expectations, the Rockies fluttered out of the gate, playing inconsistent baseball for the majority of the first two months of

2018 campaign.

Now 12-4 in the month of the July with a run differential of +40 in those games – the Rockies find themselves sitting seven games above .500 and look like a legitimate NL contender for the first time this season. With a chance to win the division for the first time in the 25-year history of the organization, the question is now whether the Rockies should consider making a move before the MLB non-waiver trade deadline on July 31.

National reports indicate that the Rockies are buyers this July and have already reached out to the about a trio of pitchers. This is not surprising considering the Orioles are currently 41.5 games below .500.

According to Jon Heyman, the Rockies checked in with the Orioles about the availability of left-handed pitcher Zach

Britton. The Rockies are not the only club interested the seventh-year veteran though, as most of the major contenders reportedly reached out to the Orioles about Britton.

Jon Heyman

✔@JonHeyman

Field of interested teams for Britton is expanding. Braves are interested (they have the prospects, but will they give them up?) Rockies have checked in. Even Brewers, who have stacked pen. Hou, Cubs, LAD, NYY all seem serious. Others, too.

2:21 PM - Jul 22, 2018

In 16 relief appearances this season, Britton is 1-0 with a 3.45 ERA and 1.340 WHIP. The south paw has pitched well for an awful Baltimore team and could be a solid addition for the bullpen if the Rockies are looking to make an impact move.

The price for Britton would likely not be cheap, but the Orioles already traded shortstop Manny Machado to the Los

Angeles Dodgers this month and are clearly in rebuild mode. Britton is a name that Rockies fans should at least keep an eye out for this week.

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Ken Rosenthal

✔@Ken_Rosenthal

#Rockies scouting #Orioles’ Gausman and Bundy, sources tell The Athletic. COL has longstanding interest in Gausman, a

Colorado native. Team also looking at starters and relievers from other clubs. Difficult and potentially pivotal week ahead at Coors - two vs. HOU, three vs. OAK.

7:28 AM - Jul 23, 2018

Along with Britton, according to Ken Rosenthal, the Rockies have also considered making moves for Orioles starting pitchers Kevin Gausman (4-7) and Dylan Bundy (6-9). The Rockies already have one Colorado native in the starting rotation with Kyle Freeland (8-6). A home reunion could now potentially be in the mix for Gausman, who was a star at

Grandview High School in Centennial before playing college ball at LSU.

The Rockies will play seven games between now and July 31, the first five of which will be at home. The club has as real of a chance to compete for the pennant as it ever has. If there is an opportunity to add another arm to Bud Black’s arsenal, the Rockies absolutely need to pull the trigger.

Adam Ottavino and Wade Davis have been solid closing games out but the middle relievers have been up and down all year – and as good as the starting rotation has been, teams can never have enough quality starters, especially with Jon

Gray’s future up in the air.

Colorado has the enough talent in the farm system to make a move, without it being detrimental to the future of the franchise and the talent on the big league roster has this team in contention, despite a slow start to the season. The time to win is now. Are the Rockies willing to make the necessary moves to ensure they are competing for a division title?

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