Fansided

MLB Trade Rumors: 5 teams on the fence between buying and selling

By Rucker Haringey

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JUNE 05: Madison Bumgarner #40 of the San Francisco Giants pitches against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the top of the first inning at AT&T Park on June 5, 2018 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JUNE 05: Madison Bumgarner #40 of the San Francisco Giants pitches against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the top of the first inning at AT&T Park on June 5, 2018 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – MAY 30: Colorado Rockies outfielder Noel Cuevas (56) and outfielder Charlie Blackmon (19) congratulate infielder Nolan Arenado (28) following a first inning homerun during a regular season MLB game between the Colorado Rockies and the visiting San Francisco Giants on May 30, 2018 at Coors Field in Denver, CO. (Photo by Russell Lansford/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – MAY 30: Colorado Rockies outfielder Noel Cuevas (56) and outfielder Charlie Blackmon (19) congratulate infielder Nolan Arenado (28) following a first inning homerun during a regular season MLB game between the Colorado Rockies and the visiting San Francisco Giants on May 30, 2018 at Coors Field in Denver, CO. (Photo by Russell Lansford/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

4. Colorado Rockies – Sell

The Rockies deserve a lot of credit for hanging in the NL West race this long. The sad truth is they just don’t have the talent to compete with the Giants, Dodgers and Diamondbacks over the long haul.

As such, this team should be looking to move any piece that isn’t named Nolan Arenado. That doesn’t mean they should give talent away, but they are short on star piece at the moment. If they can find a way to move a veteran or two for some quality prospects it’s a painful step the franchise should take.

The biggest sign their performance to date is unsustainable is that Colorado has been able to use the same starting five pitchers for every game of the season. No members of their rotation are dominant, but they haven’t had to dip outside their initial group one single time.That sort of injury luck just won’t hold up for an entire season.

Dealing a pitcher like Chad Bettis or Kyle Anderson might be a really effective strategy. The group of starting pitchers projected to be available at the deadline is uninspiring at best. The Rockies might be able to dangle one of their league average starters and encourage a bidding war. It’s even possible that Colorado could find a way to net a top prospect for their trouble.

It might seem harsh for a team only four games back in the division to sell off talented players, but it’s the right long-term move for the Rockies.

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