Contrary to Popular Media Opinion Rockies Focus Is on Building, Not Tearing Down

Two days ago, the Rockies shipped potential free-agent reliever Mychal Givens to the Cincinnati Reds for two minor-league pitchers.

Don’t be surprised if that first move is the last move the Rockies make in advance of the trading deadline at 2 p.m., Mountain Daylight Time Friday.

Oh, there is more than a handful of teams that would love to land Trevor Story or Jon Gray, both potential free agents at season’s end. What they want and what they get isn’t likely to be the same thing.

Interim general manager Bill Schmidt is no Gee Whiz Jim Bowden. Schmidt is soft-spoken and focused, a trait that has led to him becoming arguably the most successful scouting director in the last 20 years, with endorsements from the likes of Hall of Fame general manager Pat Gillick.

A look at the Rockies players who are creating the most chatter in advance of the deadline:

Shortstop Trevor Story

Status: Free Agent at season’s end

Chance of him being dealt: 10 percent

Story is having a down season, hitting .240 after averaging .292 for the past three seasons. It has led teams to act as if they are shopping in the bargain basement and the Rockies will be happy to move him on.

Don’t bet on it.

Unless they are blown away, it makes sense for the Rockies to keep Story.

Worst-case scenario is they offer Story the one-year qualifying offer that will be close to $20 million, and he turns it down, opting instead to pursue free agency. If that happens, the Rockies would pick up at least one, most likely two additional selections in the first-year player draft — one immediately after the first round and the other in the second round.

Best-case scenario, Story tells his agents he wants the best deal possible to stay in Colorado, which is what Todd Helton did 20 years ago.

RHP Jon Gray

Status: Free Agent at season’s end

Chance of him being dealt: 10 percent

Jon Gray wants to stay in Colorado. He likes the challenge of Coors Field. He is 31-15 lifetime at Coors Field with a 4.44 ERA compared to 20-28 with a 4.52 ERA on the road. And those stats are built off the fact he has made 70 starts both at home and away during his career — pitching 395 2/3 innings at home and 382 2/3 innings on the road. What’s more, he likes being part of a quality rotation 1-through-5.

As with Story, worst-case scenario is at the end of the season, they offer Gray the one-year qualifying offer that will be close to $20 million and he turns it down, opting instead of pursue free agency. If that happens, the Rockies would pick up at least one, most likely two additional selections in the first-year player draft — one immediately after the first round and the other in the second round.

Best-case scenario, Gray tells his agents he wants the best deal possible to stay in Colorado.

1B C.J. Cron

Stats: Signed through 2021

Chance of him begin dealt: Less than 5 percent

Cron is a gap filler. The Rockies have first baseman coming, starting with Michael Toglia, but he’s most likely not going to be ready until after the 2022 season. Cron has gone through a challenging season, but never felt sorry for himself. He’s a 20-something home run guy with 70 RBI, solid and steady at first base. And if Toglia or another prospect makes a sudden surge, with his contract, Cron can be moved.

RHP German Marquez

Stats: Rockies have control for three more years

Chance of being dealt: Less than none

Marquez is a legitimate All-Star, and he is in year three of a five-year, $43 million deal that includes a team option for 2025. How his name ever popped up as a trade possibility is a puzzle. Like the other four front-line starters on the Rockies, he welcomes the challenge of Coors Field.

RP Daniel Bard

Stats: Not free-agent eligible until after 2023

Chance of being dealt: None

He’s a late-inning reliever and a team-focused player. He may move into a setup role if another closer appears, but if not, he is not shy about taking on a do-or-die ninth-inning role. It needs to be remembered, this is the first full season he has been a part of a team at the big league level since 2013. And he does feel a sense of loyalty to the one team that was willing to take a chance on him.