MLB trade rumors: One player each team should target

PITTSBURGH, PA - JUNE 27: Andrew McCutchen #22 of the Pittsburgh Pirates catches a ball hit by Wilson Ramos #40 of the Tampa Bay Rays (not pictured) during the sixth inning at PNC Park on June 27, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /

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PITTSBURGH, PA – MAY 29: Gerrit Cole #45 of the Pittsburgh Pirates looks on from the dugout in the first inning during the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at PNC Park on May 29, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. MLB players across the league are wearing special uniforms to commemorate Memorial Day. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /

Colorado Rockies: Gerrit Cole

The Rockies have finally gotten a bit of a handle on what type of pitchers can have success at Coors Field. Young power arms with good velocity on their breaking balls seem to at least have a puncher’s chance of getting outs 5,280 feet above sea level in Denver. Kyle Freeland, Antonio Senzatela, Jeff Hoffman, German Marquez, and Tyler Chatwood have all pitched over their heads for the Rockies this season, but have begun hitting a rookie wall.

Jon Gray, the best pitching prospect the Rockies have had in over a decade, is back from his toe injury to help stabilize the rotation. Colorado’s front office should be thinking more aggressively. Why not add a second big arm to the rotation right after the All-Star break? Pittsburgh ace Gerrit Cole will be made available at the deadline and the Rockies do have what it takes in their farm system to make a run at him.

Cole and Gray have similar profiles. The Pirates big right-hander has a big fastball that can touch 97 and a power slider that he throws close to 90 mph. This is the type of stuff a pitcher needs to have in order to get outs at Coors Field. Cole has made one start in his career at Coors Field and went six innings with two earned runs.

The Rockies will hardly be the only team interested in trading for Gerrit Cole if the Pirates open him up for trade talks as expected. The impetus for them to make an impact move and acquire another top-of-the-rotation arm, however, is very high. Cole has to be on their radar.

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