Colorado Rockies Must Consider Trading Carlos Gonzalez In 2016

It’s a story as old as time: the Colorado Rockies attempting to trade outfielder Carlos Gonzalez. That may be a slight exaggeration, but Gonzalez has been on the trading block for the better part of the last three years, and there’s no reason why 2016 should be any different. The Rockies must once again consider trading Gonzalez at some point this season, except it may be now or never.

Believe it or not, Gonzalez is nearing the end of his monster contract with the Rockies, as he’s set to hit the free agent market following the 2017 season. Obviously, Colorado could look to trade him next winter or resort to trading him as a rental player during the summer of 2017. But if the Rockies want to come anywhere close to maxing out on what they get in return for Gonzalez, they need to move him before the 2016 trade deadline.

Gonzalez is coming off a 40-home run season in 2015 and is off to a hot start this season, already hitting 10 extra-base hits with a .683 slugging percentage. With Gonzalez getting off to such a fast start to the season, one year remaining on his contract after this season and a rather mediocre group of outfielders expected on the free agent market next winter, it’s tough to imagine his trade value getting any higher for the remainder of his contract than it is right now.

To be fair, the Rockies have had a nice start to the season and aren’t necessarily destined to be sellers this summer. However, in the long run it will be difficult for them to compete for a playoff spot in the NL West this season. Moreover, the Rockies have one of the best farm systems in baseball, but many of their top prospects won’t be major league ready until 2017 or 2018, meaning they aren’t likely to be serious contenders until after Gonzalez’s contract expires.

Therefore, if the Rockies are not firmly in contention for a playoff spot by early July, they need to give serious consideration to selling on Gonzalez. The team’s best bet is to trade him this summer in order to enhance their farm system even more with players who will be ready for the majors within the next two years, particularly pitchers, where Colorado’s farm system is not as strong as it could be. The bottom line is that Gonzalez is unlikely to ever be with the Rockies when they have a chance to compete, so trading him this summer is the best thing for the team’s future.