In an unfortunate development for the surging, playoff-contending Rockies, second baseman DJ LeMahieu is headed to the 10-day disabled list because of a left oblique strain. The Rockies will replace him with infield prospect Garrett Hampson, whose contract they selected from Triple-A Albuquerque. To make room for Hampson, Colorado designated infielder Daniel Castro for assignment.
This is the third DL stint of the year for LeMahieu, who most recently missed the second half of May with a hand injury. In addition to the health issues LeMahieu has battled this season, the pending free agent hasn’t performed to his 2016-17 levels on offense, with a .278/.324/.430 line, eight home runs and five steals across 331 plate appearances. LeMahieu has been a standout in the field, however, having posted eight Defensive Runs Saved and a 3.1 Ultimate Zone Rating.
Winners of six straight and within two games of the NL West-leading Dodgers, the Rockies (52-45) will have to make do without LeMahieu – who, based on the nature of oblique issues, could miss significant time. But his injury has helped open the door for Hampson, Colorado’s sixth-ranked prospect at MLB Pipeline. The 23-year-old has logged above-average offensive numbers at each minor league stop since the Rockies picked him in the third round of the 2016 draft. A .306/.366/.443 hitter with four homers and 14 steals over 246 PAs this season, MLB Pipeline praises Hampson’s “quick right-handed swing,” patience and speed. He also has “Gold Glove upside” at the keystone, the outlet contends.
Castro, 25, is in his second year with the Rockies, who selected his contract for the first time earlier this season. Castro didn’t do much with that playing time before his designation, though, hitting a mere .174/.191/.261 in 47 trips to the plate. The former Brave owns a .210/.240/.265 line in 288 lifetime big league PAs, though he has slashed a more-than-respectable .333/.367/.457 in 227 Triple-A PAs this season.
Bad time for this to happen.
Hope he is not on the DL too long.
If this is long term, the Rockies need to make a trade.
Or call up Rodgers
If the Rockies want to get out from under Davis and Shaw, now might be their chance. With Brad Hand already traded and Kirby Yates possible to go next, the Padres can either fill those spots internally by promoting guys in the bullpen already to higher leverage spots or by simply acquiring 2 highly paid relievers for 1B/OF Wil Myers.
Myers has played really well since coming off the DL a few weeks back. He has already put up 1.5 WAR this year but the negative is that he is owed about 77 million still until 2023 by SD.
Now look at Davis who is owed 41 million plus Shaw and his 20 million remaining and that money just looks like dead weight on that roster for the next few years.
So the money difference between Myers and Davis/Shaw is 16 million.
Kirby Yates is under club control for 1 million this year, probably 2 million next year and probably 3 million in 2020 via arbitration. That’s a steal for him. Well worth an approx the difference in salaries.
Package Yates, Myers and Ross (Bud Black former starter) for Davis, Shaw, Lambert and Nevin.
No money switches hands. Padres take on all of Davis and Shaw. Rockies take all of Myers. Both organizations get out from under contracts that don’t benefit them right now. Padres can hope for a bounce back from the two relievers and can either keep them if the rebuild starts picking up steam or an trade them if the are rehabilitated and the team still isn’t producing.
Lambert (#89 prospect in baseball) would be fair composition for Myers since no money is being exchanged. Myers is actually producing, if DJ leaves and and possibly Blackmon, Myers is there still to balance out the lineup with Arenado.
Nevin is compensation for Yates, Nevin comes to San Diego where his dad played 3B for the better part of half a decade and holds a lot of Padres records still. He figures in with the crop that is destined to hit the big leagues soon. #9 prospect in the Rockies system, figures to slot in near the bottom of San Diego’s top 30.
Davis hasn’t even been that bad. He had one bad game in texas last month, but has not been bad otherwise. His era probably would be down to around 3.00 if it wasnt for that game. And opponents are hitting .178 against him
Blackmon is signed for 5 more years. He is going nowhere.
#ShortstopU!
Well, sounds like he might play second base. #InfieldU!
I’m really excited for Hampson, even if his time up will be brief. Finally getting some propsect love this year, he has been remarkably consistent and productive at each stop in the minors.
I know it’s too early for a possible playoff team to think about this, but if I were the Rockies I’d give LeMahieu a qualifying offer and let him walk. I think he’s a really good player, but they’d be better off getting a pick, saving money, and having a future infield with Rodgers, Story, Arenado (as long as he re-signs), McMahon, and maybe Hampton.
I’m not a Rockies fan so if this has already been suggested then I wouldn’t know. But as an outsider, that’s what I would do.
I am a Rockies fan. I am also a big DJ fan. Unfortunately, I think it is becoming ainfully obvious that his time with the Rox is coming to an end. I doubt he will even get a qualifying offer, because he would probably accept it.
With all the injuries he’s had this year, it’s definitely possible he would accept it. Fortunately the Rockies have a ton of solid infield prospects, but DJ can definitely help someone if he’s healthy.
After last season’s FA debacle, I think a lot more guys would accept this year. Even without injury, I think DJ would accept the QO.
I still remember being so excited when the Rockies got him for Ian Stewart. Hard to believe that has been almost 8 years ago now.
Great point; it’s fair to think that a lot of guys will take the QO unless they’re the Harper type and you know they’ll get paid either way.
And yeah, I would have been in middle school when that trade was made so it seems forever ago for me too but it’s definitely one of the more lopsided ones of the past few years.
Have they given up on McMahon? Is he hurt?
He’ll probably be a September call-up. He’s not necessarily struggling, but his BA right now is about 100 points lower than it was last year at ABQ. I’m guessing COL plans to make McMahon the 2B next year once LeMahieu departs.