MLB trade rumors: Colorado Rockies, Texas Rangers have discussed trade involving a Rockies’ outfielder

The Colorado Rockies have discussed trading an outfielder to the Texas Rangers, acccording to a report from Jon Morosi of FOX Sports and MLB Network.

Many of the trade rumors surrounding the Rockies outfield have been about Charlie Blackmon, but given the financial and competitive situation in Texas, the Rangers could be an ideal partner in a Carlos Gonzalez trade.

The Rangers may also be a trade fit in that perhaps Colorado’s biggest weakness, the bullpen, is a strength for Texas. If the Rockies are looking for bullpen help in a trade with Texas, the likely target is right-hander Sam Dyson, who saved 38 games and had a 2.40 ERA in 70 ¹⁄₃ innings for the Rangers in 2016. The Rockies could also look at fellow righty reliever Tony Barnette or lefties Jake Diekman and Alex Claudio.

If the Rockies look to prospects for the return, two likely targets are pitchers Yohander Mendez and Ariel Jurado. Mendez, who turns 22 next month, posted a 2.19 ERA in 111 minor-league innings last season with 113 strikeouts, starting the season at High-A High Desert and making his big league debut in September. Jurado posted a 3.66 ERA between High-A and Double-A in 2016. Another option is first base prospect Ronald Guzman.

With Ian Desmond’s ability to play the outfield, trading one of their outfielders would allow the Rockies to sign a more traditional first base candidate. The Rockies were rumored to still be in negotiations with both Mark Trumbo and Edwin Encarnacion earlier today, and the salary space freed up by trading one of their outfielders may allow them to sign one of them.

Purple Row will have more on this story as it develops.