Rockies Mailbag: Will Colorado pursue Orioles outfielder Cedric Mullins?

Denver Post sports writer Patrick Saunders with the latest installment of his Rockies Mailbag.

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Since the Rockies seem to want to avoid the free-agent market, why won’t they pursue a trade? The Baltimore Orioles are on record that outfielder Cedric Mullins and pitcher John Means are available. These two players may cost a couple of good minor-league prospects, but it would certainly strengthen the roster.
— DJ McKay, Westcliffe

DJ, it’s a little early to say that the Rockies want to “avoid free agency.” With the lockout now in place, there will be no moves of any kind until a new collective bargaining agreement is reached. At that point, I fully expect the Rockies to sign a few players and perhaps even make a reasonably big splash. We’ll see.

After failing to retain Trevor Story and Jon Gray, and with the Rockies having to pay “only” $5.75 million of Nolan Arenado’s salary with the Cardinals in 2022, the Rockies should have some money to spend.

I also think we’ll see a trade or two. The player who seems most likely to be shipped for prospects is left fielder Raimel Tapia.

As for trading for Mullins, the asking price is reportedly very high. I’m wondering if the Rockies, with a relatively shallow farm system, have the prospects the Orioles want. Still, there is no question that Mullins would be a terrific get by the Rockies — or almost any other team. At this point, I have heard nothing about the Rockies being in on a possible trade. Still, Mullins is intriguing.

Per the Baltimore Sun: Having only returned to the majors in 2020 after a demotion all the way down to Double-A Bowie in 2019, Mullins went from being a switch-hitter to strictly hitting from the left side before the 2021 season and found immediate dividends. Focusing on one swing proved simpler for him, and he was an All-Star while batting .291 with a .878 OPS. His 30 home runs and 30 steals gave him the first 30-30 season in Orioles history.

Mullins also finished ninth in the American League MVP voting. Under the current CBA, he’s also under team control for the next four seasons, so he isn’t eligible for free agency until 2026.

As for Means, I believe ESPN’s Buster Olney was the first to mention a possible trade.

The Rockies might have the pieces to pull off that deal, but a lot depends on the Orioles’ asking price.

Greetings Patrick. I find it difficult to understand the high finances in MLB (pro sports for that matter), how a team loses 102 games, then drops half a billion dollars plus on three players! How do only three more players equate to a playoff berth? Are they playing the long game for contention in 2023? If analytics is such an important part of the game, which teams employ MBAs from Stanford or Harvard? At least the Rockies locked up Daniel Bard before the lockout. Take that National League West! Cheers!

— Robert Emmerling, Limon

Robert, I’m not sure if there is a non-rhetorical question in there.

You are, of course, referring to the Texas Rangers. They signed Corey Seager, Marcus Semien, Jon Gray and Kole Calhoun. That’s quite a haul. They might not win it all immediately but they have to be considered a legitimate contender.

Imagine if the Rockies had invested that kind of money and still had Nolan Arenado and Trevor Story, as well as a new, talented starting pitcher. Colorado fans would be doing cartwheels.

With the impending end to the current MLB collective bargaining agreement, what are your predictions? Will the owners choose to risk a lack of revenue from another shortened season, after weathering all that COVID did to the last two seasons? Will fans become disenchanted when their favorite players are not signed? It will be interesting to see how this plays out in the winter meetings next week — if they are held.

— Judy, Denver

Judy, you submitted your question prior to the lockout, but some of the issues you raise are still pertinent.

First of all, the major league portion of the winter meetings was canceled, and all MLB business is on hold until a new CBA is in place. Fans will be disenchanted if the lockout bleeds into the 2022 season. If a new CBA is signed in, say, late January or early February, there is going to be a tidal wave of signings. Fans will forget all about the labor strife.

As for predictions, I can’t imagine the owners and the players union would be so stubborn and so foolish as to allow the lockout to affect the regular season.

By most assessments, baseball’s popularity is waning. Out of sight, out of mind is not where MLB wants to be. Disenchantment is one thing, apathy is quite another. I hope the powers that be on both sides understand that. We’ll see what happens.

Patrick, do you think the Rockies could have slightly better free-agent hopes with the lockout? I’m sure some owners will tighten their financial belts a bit. Maybe one of these higher-profile guys will land in Colorado for a one-year deal.

— Miles, Parker

Miles, that’s a good question, but I really don’t think the lockout will have a huge impact on who the Rockies sign or how much they spend. Plus, there are a number of high-powered teams — the Yankees, Dodgers and Astros come to mind — who haven’t done anything yet. I don’t anticipate belt-tightening.

As for a one-year deal, that doesn’t make much sense for the Rockies. They are a team still a long way away from the postseason, so a big-name player does nothing for them.

Pose a Rockies — or MLB — related question for the Rockies Mailbag.