MLB Trade Deadline: 15 deals that should happen

9 of 16

Jun 21, 2016; Bronx, NY, USA; Colorado Rockies right fielder Carlos Gonzalez (5) hits an RBI single to right during the first inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /

8. Carlos Gonzalez to the Boston Red Sox

After holding on to their best trade chips for so many years, the Colorado Rockies kicked off a rebuild with the Troy Tulowitzki trade last deadline. Colorado’s level of young talent, particularly on the pitching side, is at its highest point in a while, and the team needs to sell off just a couple more veterans to set up a good-looking core.

The best piece left for the team to deal is Gonzalez, who was the subject of extensive trade rumors over the offseason. The 30-year-old corner outfielder has rebuilt some trade value with a good season so far and could potentially return an impact prospect if he’s dealt.

Gonzalez looked destined for stardom after posting a 144 wRC+ and 5.8 WAR in 2010 per FanGraphs. However, Gonzalez missed portions of each of the next four seasons due to multiple injuries, and it appeared the window to trade him had passed.

Finally in 2015, Gonzalez was able to stay relatively healthy and put up a 114 wRC+ with 40 home runs. Gonzalez has been better so far this year with a 137 wRC+ through 320 plate apparences, and offers a terrific arm from the corner outfield, even if his defense has declined in recent years.

While the Rockies have hovered around .500 all year, they still have a long ways to go to catch the top two teams in the NL West, and now is the best opportunity they are going to get to deal Gonazlez. The Red Sox need more production from left field, and acquiring Gonzalez would ensure they don’t have to rely entirely on 21-year-old Andrew Benintendi down the stretch.

Next: 7. Julio Teheran and Arodys Vizcaino to the Los Angeles Dodgers

Home/Arizona Diamondbacks