Report: Rockies considered 'unlikely' to land Trumbo
Don't go buying those black and purple Mark Trumbo jerseys just yet.
The Colorado Rockies have been connected to Trumbo throughout most of this offseason, yet baseball's reigning home run champion is still a free agent. An already dwindling market for his services may have taken another hit Tuesday, as sources told Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports that the Rockies are now believed to be an "unlikely" landing spot for Trumbo.
There's still a possibility that could change, however, as Rosenthal noted that the Rockies are still trying to decide where they stand in these sweepstakes - meaning Trumbo might have to be patient for a little while longer.
Trumbo appears to be a fit for the Rockies given he's a natural first baseman, and the club's starter at the position today would be free-agent signee Ian Desmond - who's never played the position professionally. If they were to sign Trumbo, whose powerful bat would only be enhanced in the thin Denver air, Desmond could be shifted to the outfield - a position he took up last year - permanently.
Were Trumbo to land in Colorado, however, the team would be forced to deal another outfielder to make it all work. A likely trade candidate would be Charlie Blackmon, the Silver Slugger-winning center fielder who's coming off a career year; general manager Jeff Bridich doesn't appear to be interested in parting with the 30-year-old, though, as he told Blackmon to take the trade rumors with a "grain of salt" earlier this month. Several teams, including the Washington Nationals, St. Louis Cardinals, and Toronto Blue Jays, have reportedly expressed interest in Blackmon.
Besides Blackmon, outfielders Carlos Gonzalez and Gerardo Parra are also possible trade candidates in this scenario.
Despite leading all of baseball with 47 homers last year, Trumbo has had trouble finding a new home in free agency. Another interested team, the Baltimore Orioles - Trumbo's home in 2016 - reportedly pulled their last contract offer off the table earlier this week, though Orioles GM Dan Duquette claimed Monday that the door was still slightly open for the 30-year-old to rejoin the team.