BSN Rockies Podcast: Shopping for deals | BSN Denver
Purple Row’s own Sam Bradfield joined Drew Creasman and Patrick Lyons on the BSN Rockies podcast on Friday. After spending significant time covering the Arizona Fall League, Bradfield breaks down the performance of several Colorado Rockies’ players, particularly the excellent offensive efforts from Tyler Nevin, Sam Hilliard and Josh Fuentes. The podcasting trio also discuss the likelihood (and unlikelihood) of the Arizona Diamondbacks considering trading away Paul Goldschmidt.
Among many other fan questions, the triad answer what three things they expect to be different as the Rockies open the 2019 season. Creasman expects that there will be a different Opening Day starter (not Jon Gray), a different Opening Day starting second baseman (not DJ LeMahieu) and that one of the Rockies’ talented young stars will receive an extension.
2018-19 Contract Swap Candidates | MLB Trade Rumors
Jeff Todd of MLB Trade Rumors lists players from each MLB team that could conceivably be included in contract swaps. The reason behind such a swap is typically due to financial reasons, but “change of scenery” deals are also possible motivations. There is an admitted liberalness to the number of players included, as players like Goldschmidt, Odúbel Herrera and Brandon Crawford are certainly in different situations from the albatross contracts of players such as Miguel Cabrera, Albert Pujols and Chris Davis. Rather, an organization could be looking to move a player to achieve more financial flexibility when adding other components to their roster.
For the Rockies, Ian Desmond, Wade Davis, Jake McGee and Bryan Shaw are given a mention as candidates, though it would be tough to imagine any team willing to take on any of these contracts given performance and/or salary, as the case may be. The Rockies also haven’t necessarily expressed an interest in moving on from any of the aforementioned contracts.
Nelson Cruz doesn’t have a lot of options in free agency | Beyond the Box Score
As Luis Torres of Beyond the Box Score points out, there aren’t many options available to 38-year-old Nelson Cruz in free agency. Cruz has bestowed one of the best bats in baseball over the past several seasons, but even if he somehow possesses the durability to handle everyday outfield play, his defense will assuredly still leave something to be desired. However, according to Cruz’s Instagram, he is learning first base. The Rockies haven’t been averse to handing the first base reins to those inexperienced at the position in the past. Cruz will probably sign with an American League team that will give him the opportunity to be a full-time designated hitter and things would have to get really creative if Cruz were to join the Rox, but this is one of the more productive right-handed bats on the market for the price. Just something fun to imagine…