Report: Rockies asking for 'Eaton-type' return in Blackmon talks
The Colorado Rockies seem to think very, very highly of Charlie Blackmon.
Though several teams have expressed interest in acquiring the center fielder, Colorado appears to be holding firm in its intent to keep Blackmon - unless general manager Jeff Bridich is overwhelmed. One executive from a rival team told Jayson Stark of ESPN that Colorado is asking for an "Adam Eaton-type" return in any trade for Blackmon.
Eaton was dealt to the Washington Nationals by the Chicago White Sox during the winter meetings. In exchange, Chicago received three top pitching prospects, including Lucas Giolito, arguably the No. 1 pitching prospect in all of baseball. Unlike Blackmon, though - who has two years of arbitration left before free agency - Eaton is under team control for five more seasons.
That the Rockies might be asking a lot for Blackmon makes sense considering the White Sox return on Eaton, as well as the weak free-agent class. At least one reported blockbuster proposal, involving Blackmon going to the Toronto Blue Jays for starter Marcus Stroman, was already discussed and turned down by Toronto earlier this offseason.
The Rockies have been busy upgrading their lineup this winter, signing Ian Desmond to a five-year deal, and they don't appear to be finished yet. A report earlier Thursday had the Rockies in talks with both Mark Trumbo and Edwin Encarnacion. If either of those two were to take their bats to Coors Field, it would likely push Desmond - as of now penciled in as the Rockies' first baseman - to the outfield, and make any of Blackmon, Gerardo Parra, or Carlos Gonzalez expendable.
Of that trio, it seems highly unlikely Blackmon will be the one dealt. In an interview earlier this week, Bridich revealed that he told Blackmon to take all the trade rumors with a "grain of salt," indicating that they'd prefer to hang on to him.
Blackmon had a career year in 2016, hitting .324/.381/.552 with 29 homers, 111 runs scored, and 17 stolen bases en route to winning his first Silver Slugger. In addition to the Blue Jays, the Chicago Cubs also reportedly showed interest in adding the 30-year-old.