The Rockies are open to buying and selling second baseman Brendan Rodgers and right-hander Justin Lawrence, studies Jeff Passan of ESPN. Being open to a commerce doesn’t essentially imply one will come collectively, however it’s maybe a notable stance for the reason that Rockies have typically had a comparatively low willingness to make their gamers accessible.
The surface notion of the Rockies has typically been that they’ve been too assured of their inner assessments. Lately, gamers like C.J. Cron, Elias Díaz and Daniel Bard have been signed to ill-fated extensions as an alternative of being dealt whereas they nonetheless had some commerce worth. Trevor Story wasn’t moved as his membership management dwindled, departing for modest compensation after he declined a qualifying supply. Jon Grey didn’t even get the QO because the membership seemingly believed they might re-sign him, however he went to the Rangers as an alternative, with Colorado getting no compensation by any means. Proprietor Dick Monfort infamously said that he thought the membership might play .500 ball in 2023, a season they went on to complete 59-103.
However maybe there may be extra realism now. The membership did do a little bit of promoting on the deadline a couple of months in the past, flipping relievers Nick Mears and Jalen Beeks. They completed 2024 with a report of 61-101, their second straight marketing campaign with their loss tally in triple digits. There are some encouraging developments on the roster however maybe the membership is conscious that short-term rivalry is an extended shot.
There’s little motive for the membership to be clinging too tight to Rodgers, as he’s getting into his ultimate season of membership management. He additionally hasn’t completed a lot to determine himself as a core participant, regardless of his previous pedigree as a 3rd general choose and former high 100 prospect. He has taken over 1800 journeys to the plate and has a line of .266/.316/.409, which interprets to a wRC+ of 86, indicating he’s been 14% beneath league common general.
The opinions of his protection have been combined. Outs Above Common has given him a -5 grade for his profession. He was above par in 2022 and 2023 however then dipped again down once more this 12 months. He does has 12 Defensive Run Saved in his profession however in weird style. He has been beneath common by that metric in most of his seasons however had an enormous +22 exhibiting in 2022, a determine that appears like a transparent outlier.
He acquired his wage as much as $3.2MM in 2024 and is due for yet another elevate in 2025, with MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz projecting him for a wage of $5.5MM subsequent 12 months. Provided that worth level and his efficiency, it is smart the Rockies could be open to transferring him relatively than protecting him for yet another 12 months through which they’re unlikely to compete.
However on the similar time, the curiosity received’t be terribly excessive. Final 12 months, free brokers like Adam Frazier and Amed Rosario signed one-year deal for much less cash than the projected arb wage for Rodgers. These two guys are again in the marketplace now, as are second basemen like Brandon Drury, Enrique Hernández, Whit Merrifield and others. With these choices, it’s onerous to think about a workforce giving up something of worth for Rodgers at this level.
Lawrence is probably a extra intriguing commerce candidate. He nonetheless has 4 years of membership management and the Rockies might contemplate protecting him. However however, he’s a little bit of late bloomer, turning 30 years outdated subsequent month.
Relievers are typically risky, as Lawrence himself as proven. He appeared to have a pleasant breakout over 2022 and 2023, hanging out 24.4% of batters confronted and and getting floor balls on 49.4% of balls in play. His 11.2% stroll price was on the excessive aspect however he managed to publish a mixed 4.44 earned run common over these two seasons, not too dangerous for a man spending half his time at Coors Area. He additionally appeared to seize a leverage function, incomes 11 holds and saves apiece in 2023.
However in 2024, his strikeouts disappeared, falling to a 16.1% price. He nonetheless acquired grounders however his stroll price additionally stayed excessive and the overall package deal resulted in a 6.49 ERA for the 12 months. He solely secured two saves and 5 holds, falling down the pecking order.
He simply certified for arbitration as a Tremendous Two participant, however with a projected bump to only $1MM subsequent 12 months, barely over the $760K minimal. For 4 years of inexpensive management, some membership is likely to be intrigued by the opportunity of what Lawrence might do away from Coors. For his profession, he has a 6.96 ERA at residence however a 3.86 mark on the street. However for the Rockies, a 30-year-old reliever with a rising wage isn’t somebody you must construct round if you’ve simply eclipsed 100 losses two years in a row, so they might take heed to affords and see what’s on the market.
