As trade deadline looms, Colorado should go all in with youth

The chances of the Rockies making a blockbuster trade are about as remote as rental DVDs making a comeback. But the Rockies have trade chips, and if they can cash them in, they should do so as Tuesday’s deadline approaches.

The rebuilding Rockies — oops, sorry, it’s “a team under construction” — are clearly in the midst of a youth movement. Their two best players, center fielder Benton Doyle and shortstop Ezequiel Tovar, are in their second full season.

Outfield prospects Zac Veen and Yanquiel Fernandez are on the near horizon, and outfielder Jordan Beck (currently injured) has already debuted.

Lefty Carson Palmquist and right-hander Chase Dollander are two intriguing pitching prospects on the fast track to the majors. Palmquist may debut later this season.

Now is the time to go all in with the kids.

General manager Bill Schmidt did it last year and should do it again. Before last year’s deadline, Schmidt sent veteran hitters Mike Moustakas, C.J. Cron and Randal Grichuk to the Angels and relievers Pierce Johnson and Brad Hand to the Braves. In return, Colorado got a stable of pitchers: right-handers Victor Vodnik, Tanner Gordon and Alec Barger, and lefty Mason Albright.

Vodnik is already used in late innings for the Rockies and profiles as a potential closer of the future.

It makes no sense to hold on to aging veterans or keep players seeking greener pastures.

Before the 2022 deadline, the Rockies gave 37-year-old closer Daniel Bard a two-year, $19 million extension. The move backfired when Bard’s anxiety issues flared up and he suffered a season-ending elbow injury. He pitched 49 1/3 innings last season and none this year.

In 2021, Colorado held on to shortstop Trevor Story and right-hander Jon Gray. Both players left as free agents, Story to Boston and Gray to Texas. The Rockies did get a compensatory pick (No. 31 overall) for losing Story to the Red Sox and ended up drafting Sterlin Thompson out of Florida. The left-handed hitter has a .242/.321/.384 slash line at Double-A Hartford. He’s played primarily left field and first base and has shown potential to be a major leaguer.

Story, meanwhile, has been plagued with injuries since signing with Boston, playing in only 145 games in three seasons.

The Rockies’ biggest weakness is a shaky bullpen that lacks a bona fide closer. It’s doubtful they can trade for an experienced closer now who will remain in the ‘pen beyond next season, but they have a chance to stock up on more young arms.

Lefty reliever Jalen Beeks, 31, is the most likely player to be traded. He’ll be a free agent after this season. Contending teams always need a lefty in their bullpen, and Beeks is making only $1.675 million this season. He has nine saves in 16 opportunities with a 4.74 ERA — not great numbers, but the Rockies will get offers. It was just two years ago that Beeks posted a 2.80 ERA for Tampa Bay and he can pitch multiple innings.

Before he suffered a nagging calf injury, veteran catcher Elias Diaz seemed the most likely Rockies player to be traded. But the injury has slowed him down, and he’s only hit five home runs.

Diaz’s injury means that teams have been asking about veteran Jacob Stallings, who’s having a terrific season. Stallings, 34, is a solid receiver who’s hit five home runs and drove in 24 runs in 184 plate appearances. He won a Gold Glove with the Pirates in 2021 before spending the next two seasons in Miami, where he continued to provide solid defense but struggled to hit. He’d be an excellent backup catcher for a needy contender.

The boldest move the Rockies could make would be to trade All-Star third baseman Ryan McMahon, but he’s been assured that won’t happen. The Rockies, who signed him to a six-year, $70 million extension last March, see him as a core player to build around, and he’s a favorite of owner Dick Monfort.