While there has been some early chatter surrounding Rockies righty Jon Gray, that doesn’t mean we’re on the cusp of a major swap. Rather, per MLB.com’s Thomas Harding, the Rox are leaving rival organizations with the expectation that Gray will remain in Colorado.
As MLBTR’s Connor Byrne explored earlier this month, Gray seems a strong trade candidate on paper. The 28 year-old is projected for a reasonable $5.6MM salary in arbitration, but he comes with just two seasons of team control remaining. Gray took a step forward in 2019, posting a 3.84 ERA in 150 innings with solid strikeout (23.6%) and walk (8.8%) rates despite calling Coors Field home. As a team, however, the Rockies went backwards, stumbling to a 71-91 season after back-to-back postseason appearances.
Without much flexibility to spend this offseason, there was and is reason to believe Colorado will explore the trade market both to add MLB pieces and as a potential means of increasing organizational financial flexibility. In addition to possibly attempting to move the contracts of some older, more expensive players, it stands to reason that the team would at least endeavor to learn what kind of young talent might be had in a swap involving its marketable, mid-arbitration players.
Perhaps the Rox didn’t like what they heard when rivals came calling on Gray in recent weeks. No doubt the bar is set even higher when it comes to shortstop Trevor Story. Like Gray, the star shortstop comes with two more years of team control. Dealing one or both would make for something of an organizational reboot, even with other key MLB pieces still on hand.
It certainly doesn’t sound as if the Rockies are anxious to discuss Story in trade talks. To the contrary, the Athletic’s Nick Groke (subscription link) even characterizes the team as having real interest in an extension, although there’s no indication anything’s close on that front. Even if there’s mutual interest, it’ll be challenging to find common ground. Story only just turned 27, has established himself as one of the game’s best shortstops, possesses strong arbitration earning power ($11.5MM projection), and holds sky-high potential in free agency after the 2021 season.
If Colorado is to return to contention, strong seasons from Gray and Story would be key. The Rockies don’t seem likely to threaten the Dodgers in the NL West and probably won’t project as a favorite in the Wild Card race. But there is some compelling core talent on hand and the organization is understandably interested in trying to win while that group is in place. It seems GM Jeff Bridich and company are planning to stay the course this winter in hopes of bouncing back sooner rather than later.
They should trade Jake McGee… he will be great out of Coors.
I think same thing with Davis, he’s complete garbage at Coors but he wasn’t as terrible outside of it
This guy Gray is an enigma to me. I read on statcast that he gets hit hard more frequently than anybody else in the league. Like literally, compared to every single qualifying pitcher Jon Gray gets hit hard the very most. Well over 40% of his pitches don’t only get hit but get hit hard. I don’t understand how any player can remain productive getting hit like that. He has god-awful spin rate on his fastball too. Probably one of the worst in the league in that as well. I know Coors field probably has a lot to do with it but it still doesn’t explain why he gets hit hard more frequently than all of his teammates as well. I don’t understand how his numbers are this decent. Am I missing something? What’s the deal here? Can anyone enlighten me? Maybe you, Jeff?
Rockies plan to keep going in mediocrity
Jeffrey Todd working at night!!?? Has the world gone mad!!??
Finally, this rumour can come to rest. Rockies ain’t trading their only starting pitcher who did good unless they were gonna get blown away.
How dare the Rockies go against the will of MLBTR readers! It’s an outrage!
How about they trade Dinger, the mascot? He’s really giving me nightmares looking into his beady eyes as he patrols the field level seats and squats behind the home plate seats. I feel really uncomfortable looking at him. He scares the bejeezus out of me when the TV broadcast pans over and, guess who? That P.O.S! I’m sorry for getting worked up on a Monday night (Go Ravens btw) and making everyone mad because Dinger “Is so beloved.” Or “Everyone loves Dinger” Noooooo!!!! Get him out! Maybe when he’s gone, they’ll finally win more than 74 games a year and actually be decent! Get him out! I’m starting the campaign right here and right now.
Were they not in the nlds two years ago or was that a dream?
I watched that series. It was no dream. The way they played (or didn’t play) against the Brewers was a flat out nightmare.
Dinger puts up 6.3 WAR when compared to the other mascots
Tight. That’s tight. That’s so tight, Papi.
Rockies finished 20 games under .500 last season, 18 GB of the 2nd Wild Card. They control Gray for 2 more years (2020 & 2021) before he can become a FA. He’ll be a FA at the age of 30, it makes no sense for them to hold on to him, they should move him now and get the best return they can.. If not this winter then at the July 2020 trade deadline at the latest.
The year before, they finished 21 games over .500 and forced the Dodgers into a 1 game playoff for the division title. Why am I saying this? Just to show that last year’s record has no real effect on next year’s performance. They are good enough to win as constructed if a few things go their way in 2020. If they have a 2-3 players (Freeland, Davis, Shaw, Murphy, Desmond) bounce back. and have 2-3 youngsters (Tapia, McMahon, Hampson, Rodgers, Lambert, Daza) take the next step forward from prospect into productive players.
It makes no sense to trade Gray, arguably the best “stuff” in franchise history, in order to make the AA team better and MAYBE make the 2024 Rockies better. The NL West already has the Padres, the division doesn’t need another team constantly worrying about tomorrow at the expense of today.
As with always with the Rockies, it’s the pitching that’s the problem. It seemed as though every pitcher regressed from the previous year.
Do you honestly expect the Rockies to be better than the Dodgers, Diamondbacks, Cardinals, Brewers, Cubs, Braves, Nationals, and even the Phillies and Mets. If the Rockies don’t/can’t win the division there are arguably at least 6 teams better then them in the National League that would vie for the 2 wild card spots. They may be competitive in 2020 but that’s a huge difference from being a postseason/championship caliber team.
My only point from my earlier post was the longer the Rockies wait to trade Gray the less they are likely to get for him after the 2020 trade deadline.
The Rockies have very few pitchers that are league average. Even when they find a pitcher 1 or 2 years of pitching at high altitude it gets in the heads of pitchers. All of Rocky’s pitchers can hardly wait to get to free agency and go someplace where they can succeed.
If ur gonna rebuild, he’s worth trading. Otherwise why bother. The fact he pitches well in a Rockies uniform, makes me think he’d be better in another based strictly on location. I don’t know his splits though so that’s merely a guess
Once they extended Arenado, it would make no sense to have a rebuild, and waste 2-3 years of his contract. With two years left, they should try at least one more year. If they’re 20 out at the trade deadline, then make a move.
Thought Jon Gray and David Dahl for Byron Buxton would have been a good trade for COL and MIN to complete.
Wise ro keep Gray, his stats are better in Denver than road. Move Stiryi stead and get a boatload back.
Story instead