House That Hank Built
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Atlanta Braves Still Seeing Events Worth A Closer Look

By Alan Carpenter

Dec 10, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; MLB network host Greg Amsinger (left) talks with former players Ryan Dempster (center) and Sean Casey (right) during the MLB winter meetings at Gaylord Opryland Resort . Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 10, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; MLB network host Greg Amsinger (left) talks with former players Ryan Dempster (center) and Sean Casey (right) during the MLB winter meetings at Gaylord Opryland Resort . Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 25, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies left fielder Corey Dickerson (6) RBI singles in the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 25, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies left fielder Corey Dickerson (6) RBI singles in the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

Rockies Traded an Outfielder… But Didn’t Fill Their Needs

The Rockies need pitching… and one major league reliever isn’t going to change that.

This trade tells me more about the pitching market than it does anything else.  For sure:  Colorado needed a rotation stalwart.  That didn’t happen.  Instead, the Rays got a young, controllable outfield hitter for the price of a reliever and a prospect swap.  Corey Dickerson may come with a few flaws, but in total, I’d have to suggest that there’s a lot more upside than downside with his game… and he came cheap to the Rays.

Colorado will use the just-signed Gerardo Parra to back up all of their outfield positions, so that’s settled:  Barnes, Blackmon, and CarGo will roam the Rockies for mis-hit fly balls (i.e., the ones that stay in the yard).

Beyond that, they have a glut of infielders, an open question mark at shortstop (as in “Will Jose Reyes be suspended and for how long?”).  However, the Rockies really only have just one more tradable asset that they could part with in order to find pitching.

Nolan Arenado.

I’ll say right here that the chances of the Rockies moving their All-Star hot corner man are virtually nil.  But if I’m John Coppolella, I think I’d place a call and make sure that Jeff Bridich has a standing offer from the Braves:  Julio Teheran and Mike Foltynewicz.

In all honesty, the Rockies should consider such a deal.  Here’s why:

  • Daniel Descalso can handle the 3B duties until Ryan McMahon arrives.  Once McMahon gets to the majors (2017?), the fans might forgive Bridich.  If they don’t like Descalso there, then I’m sure the Braves could find somebody else to ship to Denver to help.
  • Folty isn’t arb-eligible until 2018, so he has 5 more years of team control.  If the Rox don’t like Folty as a secondary offering for Arenado, then I’m pretty sure Atlanta can locate another starter they would be good with.  Maybe more.
  • Teheran’s contract has affordable control through his option year of 2020 – that’s up to 5 more years.

The potential for actual pitching stability in Colorado:  you’d think that might be appealing.

Meanwhile, Arenado, who will be 25 in April, won’t be arbitration eligible until next season and isn’t a free agent until 2020.  He’ll be expensive (another reason for Colorado to think twice about keeping him), but not nearly out of question for the Braves.

Colorado faces a tough slog in the NL West regardless of what they do, but all the hitting in the world won’t help them without decent starters to build around.  As I say, this is highly – highly – unlikely… but definitely worth asking.

What’s more likely?  That Colorado will do what they always do:  hold tight to what they have until the end of 2016… and if McMahon is ready then, they might consider offers for Arenado at that time.

Next: Yet Another Cuban Third Baseman?

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