Rockies relievers generating trade interest

The Colorado Rockies might be open for business as trade season approaches.

"Some teams have reached out, mostly on our bullpen guys," Rockies general manager Bill Schmidt said, according to Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post. "I'm not going to name names, but there has been interest there.

"We are going to listen on guys. But people have to remember that teams have to want your players, too."

The Rockies sit in the basement of the National League at 33-55, 17 games back of the NL West-leading Arizona Diamondbacks. But their relief corps ranks firmly in the middle of the league, according to FanGraphs metrics, with a 2.3 cumulative WAR.

Notable pitchers in the Rockies' bullpen:

* - Suter has been sidelined with a strained oblique since June 20

Bird, 27, is the most tantalizing arm in the group but would also be the hardest to acquire. He's under team control through the 2029 season and has yet to even hit arbitration eligibility. The 27-year-old has been the most valuable Rockies pitcher by WAR, including starters.

Johnson, 32, leads the team with 13 saves this year and is eligible to hit free agency when his $5-million deal expires this winter.

Bard has previously served as the team's closer but missed time early in the season due to anxiety. His strikeout and walk numbers have regressed from last year, during which he authored a 1.79 ERA and 2.86 FIP over 60 1/3 innings while notching 34 saves. The right-hander is under contract through the 2024 campaign for another $9.5 million.

Hand could also generate interest as one of the only lefties in the above chart and has a $7-million team option for 2024. If healthy, fellow southpaw Suter could also be a target. The 33-year-old will hit the open market this winter.