MLB Trade Deadline: The ultimate 30-team trade
4. Colorado Rockies
Catching has been the biggest weakness for the Colorado Rockies this season, at least in terms of offensive production. Rockies catchers have hit .236/.316/.316 with a major league worst three home runs this season. Tony Wolters and Ryan Hanigan both have long-term upside, but neither has been a threat at the plate this year.
Acquiring two-time All-Star backstop Jonathan Lucroy (from the Rangers via Atlanta) should be easy (and cheap) and would also help provide the club with an offensive performance boost in the National League Wild Card race. Lucroy has hit .243/.293/.343 with four home runs in 73 games for the Rangers this season, and .255/.312/.414 with 15 long balls in 120 games since arriving in Texas from the Brewers after a trade deadline deal in 2016.
Lucroy still has pop in his bat, which would certainly appeal to the Rockies, though his defensive reputation has taken a major hit over the last two seasons. Once considered the best defensive catcher in baseball, Lucroy currently ranks 83rd among 83 major league backstops in FRAA (-15.3), Baseball Prospectus’ catcher framing metric. But, since Wolters ranks 65th (-2.9), the defensive downgrade wouldn’t be devastating to the pitching staff.
And speaking of pitching, the Rockies also need depth in the starting rotation. Rookies Kyle Freeland, Antonia Senzatela, German Marquez and Jeff Hoffman have started a combined 62 games for Colorado this season. While the results have been decent, a veteran presence would help. A name that makes the most sense is Trevor Cahill, a sinkerballer with a 3.69 ERA and 3.39 FIP in 11 starts for the Padres. But San Diego sent Cahill to Kansas City instead, leaving Clayton Richard, a free agent after the season, as the consolation prize. The Rockies could get Richard for a Player to be Named.