MLB trade rumors: One player each team should target
![BALTIMORE, MD - APRIL 21: Manny Machado #13 of the Baltimore Orioles looks on during the game against the Cleveland Indians at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on Saturday, April 21, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland (Photo by Rob Tringali/SportsChrome/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Manny Machado BALTIMORE, MD - APRIL 21: Manny Machado #13 of the Baltimore Orioles looks on during the game against the Cleveland Indians at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on Saturday, April 21, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland (Photo by Rob Tringali/SportsChrome/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Manny Machado](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/4e34124fbe1e4f5c930910c3b25d86d381cf218fb5687309613f5d3abd93e5be.jpg)
Colorado Rockies
Tyler Flowers/Kurt Suzuki, C
The Rockies are trying to regain their lead in the NL West after passing the slumping Diamondbacks. However, after losing their last 4 games, 3 to the Dodgers, they’ve let the Diamondbacks take the lead again and given life to the Dodgers. They’re going to have to do something to make a difference in their season.
It has to be on offense for the Rockies. They play in the ballpark most conducive for scoring runs and yet sit in the bottom half of the league in runs scored. In fact, they actually have a losing record at home. In order to be able to continue their success and push towards the playoffs, they are going to have to start winning games at home, and that is about offense.
Offensively, the Rockies should most look to improve at the catcher position, where they rank 9th last in batting average this year. They have Tom Murphy hitting over .300 in AAA, probably getting ready to come to the majors next year. So, they need someone to step in this year.
The Braves have two catchers with expiring contracts, and as one emerges the other may reach the trade block. Kurt Suzuki has an OPS around .800 and Tyler Flowers is around .850. Those are significant upgrades from Chris Ianetta’s .702. Both of them also have higher isolated power which should make them a good fit in Colorado’s thin air.
Both of these guys will help the Rockies offense in a significant way, and if the Rockies can find a way to get either one, it will put a jolt into their offense.