Denver Post sports writer Patrick Saunders with the latest installment of his Rockies Mailbag.
Pose a Rockies- or MLB-related question for the Rockies Mailbag.
My questions are all trade-related. With Adael Amador getting his first taste of the bigs, I think Brendan Rodgers could be a good candidate to move in the offseason. Elias Diaz is obviously the top trade candidate and guys like Elehuris Montero and Hunter Goodman probably need to be moved to free up the logjam of young first base/outfield/designated hitter guys. Is there any package of Rockies players that you see netting the Rox a top-end rotational prospect?
— Shawn T., Chicago
Shawn, as exciting as it is to see Amado get called up, the Rockies don’t believe he’s ready to be an everyday player. When Rodgers’ hamstring injury heals and when he comes off the injured list, Amador will be optioned back to the minors.
That being said, clubs still might be interested in Rodgers, who’s scheduled to become a free agent after the 2025 season. Colorado came close to trading “B-Rod” to the Marlins for pitcher Edward Cabrera after the 2022 season, but the deal was never completed.
You’re right about Diaz being the Rockies’ most coveted player, even though he strained his left calf in the first inning of Monday night’s game at Minnesota and could end up on the IL. Diaz is a free agent after this season, and the Cubs and Padres are two teams that have reportedly talked with the Rockies about a trade. If the Rockies have a decent offer, they have to move Diaz.
I don’t think Montero or Goodman would bring much of a return unless they were part of a package. However, general manager Bill Schmidt has said he’s willing to listen to trades for prospects. Colorado certainly is hunting for a top-flight pitching prospect.
Good day, Patrick. Kris Bryant has acknowledged that he has had a bad back (discs and arthritis) for some time, which will impact the rest of his career. Was none of this disclosed or found during a physical before the Rockies signed him to that astronomical contract? Ability is availability, which is haunting the Avalanche and now the Rockies. Thank you.
— Robert Emmerling, Limon
Hello Robert, thanks for your continued participation in my Rockies Mailbag. It’s very much appreciated.
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I’ve asked the same question because when you sign a player to a seven-year, $182 million contract, they better not be damaged goods. However, professional sports teams keep details of injuries private — unless the player wants to discuss them — so it’s difficult to get a clear picture of injuries, especially during the season.
I do not know the condition of Bryant’s lower back when he signed with the Rockies before the 2022 season. But I know that players undergo extensive physical exams before contracts are signed, and I’m sure the Rockies thoroughly evaluated Bryant.
Many athletes have back ailments, but they find ways to manage them. Every player is different, with varying degrees of pain tolerance. Some players cover up injuries. I don’t know for sure how Bryant is dealing with his injury.
Following is a chart of Bryant’s injury history that ran with my May 12 story on the dilemma facing Bryant and the Rockies:
Kris Bryant’s Injury List
2018#: Limited to 102 games. On IL twice from left shoulder inflammation, June 23-July 11 and July 24-Sept. 1. Marked the first time in his career he landed on the IL.
2019#: Played in 147 games. Suffered a right ankle sprain on Sept. 22 and missed the remainder of the season.
2020#: On the IL Aug. 19-Sept. 1 with a left ring finger sprain suffered on Aug. 12 while attempting a diving catch in left field. Missed four games from Sept. 22-25 with right lower oblique tightness.
2022: Limited to 42 games. On the IL with a lower back strain April 29-May 21 and May 23-June 27. On the IL on Aug. 1 with plantar fasciitis in his left foot and missed the remainder of the season.
2023: Limited to 80 games. On the IL June 1-30 with a bruised left heel. On the IL July 22-Sept. 11 with a fractured left index finger following a hit-by-pitch on July 22.
2024: Went on the injured list with a strained lower back strain on April 14. Missed 24 of the first 37 games. Went back on the IL on June 3 with a left rib contusion.
Source: Rockies media guide | # Played for the Chicago Cubs
How many times this year have the Rockies had a runner on third with less than two outs and failed to score? I am guessing more than 30 times. So, why not try a squeeze? At least three out of four times it is successful and is better than not getting the ball in play at all.
— Tom Ricca, Centennial
Tom, believe it or not, the Rockies have hit relatively well with a runner on third base and less than two outs. Entering Wednesday’s game, their average was .322 (19 for 59), the seventh-best in the majors. In other words, the Rockies have come up empty 40 times, but most other teams have fared worse.
As for the squeeze play, the Rockies simply don’t have many players who are adept at bunting, let alone putting down a successful squeeze bunt.
Patrick, why did the Rockies go away from loading up on big power-hitting bats to doing whatever they’re doing now? We haven’t been over the league’s average in team home runs since 2018 — the last year we were actually competitive. Having big bats when you’re playing at altitude just makes sense to me. What say you?
— Rob, Colorado Springs
Rob, I’m perplexed, as are manager Bud Black and general manager Bill Schmidt. They both expected more power.
The Rockies have attempted to “load up” on power hitters in recent years, but several players haven’t performed as the team expected. This list is long: Kris Bryant, Brendan Rodgers, Michael Toglia, Elehuris Montero, Sam Hilliard, and, to a lesser extent, Ryan McMahon.
The Rockies have suffered power outages before, but never like the slump they’ve been in since 2019. The club has either picked the wrong guys or failed to develop them.
Hey Patrick, love your coverage! We just saw Adael Amador get his first taste in the majors. Do you see any other prospects making their debuts this year, like Zac Veen or Benny Montgomery?
— Mark, Arvada
Hey Mark, thanks for the kind words.
I thought Veen would make his debut this season, especially considering his hot start at Double-A Hartford. But now he’s trying to come back from a strained lower back. He’s currently lining up to play rehab games in the Rockies’ rookie-level Arizona Complex League affiliate. He’s been shut down since May 18. There is still a chance he could get called up by the Rockies late this season.
Montgomery underwent surgery to repair his left shoulder in early May. He sustained the injury while diving for a ball in the outfield. There’s a chance he’ll play again this season, but it won’t be with the Rockies.
The other candidates to get called up include catcher Drew Romo, left-handed pitcher Carson Palmquist and possibly hard-throwing right-hander Jaden Hill.
In your opinion, which Rockies player is worthy of team MVP honor so far this season?
— Ed Helinski, Auburn, N.Y.
Ed, there is no question that Colorado’s MVP is shortstop Ezequiel Tovar. He plays a premier position and has a good chance to win his first Gold Glove this season. He’s hitting .293 and his 11 homers rank second to third baseman Ryan McMahon’s 11. Tovar’s 32 RBIs rank second to McMahon’s 38.
Here is a thumbnail look at what Tovar has done this season, entering Wednesday’s game at Minnesota:
• Nine of his 11 home runs have come on the road.
• He ranked among National League leaders in doubles (20, second), extra-base hits (32, tied for second), multi-hit games (24, tied for second), total bases (136, tied for third) and slugging (.491, 10th).
• Had made three errors in 300 total chances, a .990 fielding percentage that ranked as the best among all major league shortstops.
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