The MLB trade deadline will not be a Snoozapalooza.
The Rockies will no longer be spooked by their shadow, holding on to players like family heirlooms. It was this type of scared behavior that prevented them from shipping out Trevor Story for Mets top prospect Pete Crow Armstrong or left-handed reliever Brent Suter for anything.
It will be an upset if Colorado executes fewer than two deals. President Paul DePodesta and general manager Josh Byrnes recognize the importance of this mile marker.
In a season of progress, the poor play of late notwithstanding, the Rockies cannot miss this opportunity to upgrade their future rotations.
It is time to sell, sell, sell!
The Rockies are positioned to take advantage of this market. It is why they are still listening on catcher Hunter Goodman — Rays, Red Sox and Yankees need help — and asking for No.1 prospects in every conversation. I wouldn’t move him, but the argument exists to do so because the remaining three years of control after this season will make the return breathtaking.
The more realistic moves involve outfielders. Making calls and listening to rumors, it seems possible the Rockies could get the Yankees interested in outfielders Jake McCarthy or Mickey Moniak. If the return is right-handed starter Will Warren, pull the trigger.
A 27-year-old durable starter is exactly what the Rockies need. Southpaw Ryan Weathers represents another possibility.
There will be a good deal available with the Rays, Phillies, Astros and Guardians all connected to the Rockies’ outfielders.
Brennan Bernardino is a prime piece. The left-handed reliever has not yielded a run in five appearances since the All-Star break and is matchup neutral, effective against both lefties and righties.
Of course, the Rockies will listen on starters Kyle Freeland, Michael Lorenzen and Tomoyuki Sugano, but the return could be limited without attaching a minor league prospect like Zac Veen. Dealing from their own farm system is something the Rockies have rarely done over their last 15 years.
The creativity and elasticity of the new front office must be on display over the next few days. That should also involve eating money on Antonio Senzatela’s deal — hit up minority owners Greg Penner and Carrie Walton Penner for cash — to improve the prospect in return. Senzatela has stunk over the last month, posting a 7.04 ERA, but has remained effective on the road throughout the season (2.57 ERA, .238 batting average against).
For the first time in forever, there is trust that the Rockies’ front office will make the right moves. The trade deadline is the next pathway to improvement, and one that the Rockies must ace in every way.
JK OK: Was that a press conference or a stream of consciousness by J.K. Dobbins on Friday? The running back predicted he would be the No. 1 back in the league and play 17 games this season. To drive home his point, he verbally pinky-promised the media twice. All I can say is if Dobbins breaks a pinky this season, it will prove someone is poking a voodoo doll of his likeness.
Romo no more? CBS pressed pause on Tony Romo following his OWI arrest in Wisconsin, promoting J.J. Watt to its top NFL booth with Jim Nantz. Now, the question is whether Romo will ever get his spot back. He has $72 million remaining on his contract, but his declining performance over the past few seasons has placed his future in jeopardy. Romo is going to have to make quite the comeback if he wants to call another Bo Nix comeback.
Bigger Hunter: Travis Hunter is faster despite getting bigger. The former CU Heisman Trophy winner is listed at 185 pounds, and told Jaguars reporters that his goal is to eclipse 23 mph in a game. He is playing nearly two defensive snaps to every one on offense in camp, which tracks with the idea that Jacksonville wants to establish him at cornerback.
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