Colorado Rockies Are Potential Trade Partner For Yankees

Baseball’s trade deadline comes up in August. Teams are starting to heat up the phone lines, contacting teams to find out who might be available. Yankees GM Brian Cashman knows he has some holes to fill in order to improve this years club down the stretch.

The Colorado Rockies might have some players of interest to the Yankees. Ubaldo Jimenez and Ty Wigginton are names that have come up between the two clubs.

Jimenez would slide into the starting rotation for the Yankees, who seem to be sliding on thin ice with Freddy Garcia and Bartolo Colon. Phil Hughes, despite pitching well yesterday, is also a question mark. Jimenez was a top start last season, finishing third in the Cy Young voting for the National League. This season he got off to a slow start, beginning the year 0-5 with an ERA well over 5.00 in April and May.

He has since turned his season around. Jimenez went 3-2 with a 2.45 ERA in June and is currently 2-1 with a 2.79 ERA in three starts this month. His numbers are much better when pitching away from Coors Field.

While this seems like a good fit since the Yankees are looking to upgrade their rotation, Jimenez would come at a steep price. A deal is unlikely since the Rockies are looking for two top prospects along with one or two major league ready players, including  a starting pitcher.

The Rockies apparently like Yankees catching prospect Jesus Montero. The once top prospect has dropped a bit this season because his power numbers have fallen at Triple-A Scranton. The Rockies would also likely ask for Dellin Betances or Manny Banuelos along with a player like Ivan Nova. I don’t see Cashman pulling the trigger on a move like this, that’s to much to give up.

Ty Wigginton makes sense for the Yankees. With Alex Rodriguez on the DL and out at least four more weeks and Eduardo Nunez struggling defensively, the Yankees could use an upgrade at third base. Wigginton is currently batting .257 with 13 home runs and 38 runs batted in this season for Colorado. He could fill at third until Rodriguez returns, then back up the corner infielders.

Of course, a deal for Wigginton likely depends on the Yankees feelings on Eric Chavez. The veteran is currently on a rehab assignment in the minor leagues, trying to make his way back. Chavez was playing well this season before being injured. He would be an upgrade offensively and defensively for the Yankees and provides depth at the corner infield positions.

Talks are just starting to heat up between teams all across baseball. The Yankees are always players around the trade deadline and this year appears to be no different.