MLB Rumors: Could the Colorado Rockies trade Carlos Gonzalez?

The Colorado Rockies didn’t have what many would call an impressive start to the 2014 season, though after a few weeks of game action Colorado began reeling off win after win, placing them right behind the San Francisco Giants for the National League West division lead.

More from Colorado Rockies

• MLB trade grades: Braves deal for Rockies reclamation project in bullpen revamp
• MLB standings ordered by hard hit rate: Struggling Cardinals still cracking bats
• MLB rumors: Why Yankees fans will be keeping an eye on Rockies this weekend
• MLB Rumors: New Yankees trade target will infuriate fans
• Yankees fans want John Flaherty fired after Rockies walk off

Unfortunitly for the Rockies, their play quickly declined and marred with recent injuries, Colorado began to fall in the division standings, now sitting in third place – 8.5 games behind the Giants who own baseball’s best record.

So what’s a team like the Rockies to do when they look headed for another season of mediocrity, despite the fact that two of their biggest offensive weapons are having solid seasons, even if they’re eating into the vast majority of their payroll.

Could they trade one? That’s the thought of Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal, who suggests trading Carlos Gonzalez should be an option for Colorado moving forward.

For starters, they should trade right-hander Jhoulys Chacin to clear a spot for one of their many prized young arms. And then, to resolve their logjam in the outfield, they should trade the previously untouchable Carlos Gonzalez.

That’s right, CarGo, who comprises one-half of the duo the Rockies supposedly cannot win without, the other half being Tulo, shortstop Troy Tulowitzki. Well, the Rockies aren’t winning with CarGo, and they aren’t trading Tulo, the best shortstop in baseball.

The best way to build a lasting contender would be to get a decent return for Gonzalez while escaping the bulk of his remaining guarantee — about $7 million more this season, then $53 million combined from 2015-17.

Trading Gonzalez would be a franchise altering move, though, the return would be enough to likely put the Rockies in contention in the relatively near future. It would also clear up the logjam currently haunting the Rockies outfield. However, parting with one of the best young offensive talents in the game is a painful decision and one likely to alienate fans and possibly fellow stars, like the aforementioned Tulowitzki.

But how much longer can the Rockies continue to find themselves fiddling around in the middle of the pack?