MLB Trade Rumors: Jorge De La Rosa unlikely to be traded by Rockies
By Hayden Kane
One thread has remained true over the last couple months as the MLB trade deadline and all of its subsequent rumors have taken shape: the 2014 trade market is ideal for sellers. A seller’s market, one might fairly call it.
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With that being the case, selling teams that have a quality starting pitcher to offer are in a position of power. They can take advantage of the fact that the majority of teams think they are still in contention and they can gain valuable young players in exchange for a starting pitcher.
There’s just one problem: none of these teams actually want to trade their guy. With the Tampa Bay Rays thinking they are contenders, the odds are slim that they deal David Price, even if it is still a possibility. The Philadelphia Phillies are content to keep Cole Hamels.
Now the Colorado Rockies say that they plan to keep their best starting pitcher. According to Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post, Jorge De La Rosa will not be traded.
"At this point, the Rockies are leaning toward keeping De La Rosa, a major-league source said. De La Rosa is a free agent at season’s end, so the Rockies would have to make him a $14 million qualifying offer. That move would ensure draft-pick compensation if he were to sign with another team."
With a contract due to expire at season’s end and teams like the Baltimore Orioles and New York Yankees interested, the Rockies stood to get a decent trade offer for De La Rosa in a thin market. The team is probably taking into account that De La Rosa is one of the most successful pitchers in franchise history, specifically with his track record at Coors Field, as they make this decision.
Knowing the Rockies and their unfortunate history in the pitching department, this decision starts to make more sense when you look at it that way.
Be sure to stay tuned to FanSided’s MLB Rumors page to stay up to date with the latest action and rumblings from the baseball hot stove this trade season.