Where the Rockies stand at the All-Star break, with Trade Deadline looming

DENVER -- Rockies outfielder Mickey Moniak is enjoying where he is and not concerning himself with the next three weeks.

Since the onset of July, which coincided with the return of his swing after fully turning the page on a right ankle injury, Moniak has batted .361. In his second season since joining as a free agent, Moniak has seen the Rockies inch into competitiveness – and has been recognized as a leader in that process.

But with the Aug. 3 Trade Deadline approaching, Moniak, 28, is the type of player who can easily change addresses – or not. It’s a category that includes most of the Rockies.

Moniak has shown production contending clubs seek, although a second straight year of extreme numbers at Coors Field (1.079 home OPS/.668 road in ‘26, .946/.680 last year) suggests that he is in his element. Moniak and Jake McCarthy – another experienced outfielder having a strong year – clearly make the Rockies better. But they also are in a position group full of prospects or young Major Leaguers who have had their flashes.

While there has been improvement – not hard to find, after a 43-119 record in 2025 – there is still a need for a talent infusion. Moniak can’t worry whether that infusion involves him playing elsewhere.

“It’s just where your feet are at all times,” said Moniak, who is on a one-year, $4 million contract with another year of arbitration remaining. “I don't have any control whether I get traded or not. Nobody in this clubhouse has any control whether they get traded or not. You know, I love being a Rockie. I love being in Colorado. I love this team, and you know that's just it's a place I would love to be for the rest of my career.

“Obviously, stuff's out of my control.”

A revamped front office led by president of baseball operations Paul DePodesta acknowledged in recent weeks that while it has been talking to other clubs, the focus was its first MLB Draft, which it completed over the weekend.

Record at the break: 39-59 (Fifth in NL West, 22 1/2 games back)
Record at the break last year: 22-74 (Fifth in NL West, 35 1/2 games back)
Playoff odds: 0.0%
Remaining Strength of Schedule: .514 (5th toughest in MLB)

Will the Rockies address the outfield situation at the Deadline? History suggests the better deals will come from another position group.

Last year, the Rockies moved third baseman Ryan McMahon to the Yankees, but other deals involved relievers – Jake Bird to the Yankees and Tyler Kinley to the Braves. The Rockies spurned inquiries for younger, hard-throwing relievers.

Their two most significant Deadline deals in ‘24 sent relievers Brad Hand and Pierce Johnson to the Braves. The latter deal brought back two pitchers, reliever Victor Vodnik and starter Tanner Gordon.

Expect the greater number of texts from other clubs to be in regard to relievers.

But the outfield situation brings intrigue. Moniak, McCarthy and recently called-up No. 6 prospect Cole Carrigg make an intriguing outfield offensively and defensively, Troy Johnston is tied with McCarthy for eighth in MLB in batting at .301, and Tyler Freeman’s .343 on-base percentage gets him semi-regular opportunities.

But the clamoring is for MLB Pipeline No. 62/Rockies No. 2 prospect Charlie Condon and No. 13 prospect Zac Veen to be rewarded for their big seasons at Triple-A Albuquerque. Also, Jordan Beck – once the shiny prospect – and No. 15 Sterlin Thompson are refining their games in Albuquerque after an injury, and two-time Gold Glove-winning center fielder Brenton Doyle hopes to shake recent injuries for another chance.

Does the Deadline give DePodesta a chance to move some players and create clarity? Maybe.

“We want more problems just like this one,” DePodesta said. “We talked a lot in the offseason and even throughout spring about the importance of competition, and young guys are earning their spot.

“Now it’s a matter of opportunity for some of these guys. There was an opportunity for Cole to come up, and he's absolutely taken advantage of it. There was an opportunity for Sterlin to come up, he took advantage of it. So I think some of these things are just about timing.”

Biggest need: Talent all around, starting pitching in particular

During the winter, the Rockies collected veteran starters (Michael Lorenzen, Tomoyuki Sugano and Jose Quintana to add to lefty Kyle Freeland), but the need for established starters endures. The Rockies have righties Tanner Gordon and No. 16 prospect Gabriel Hughes in the current rotation, and No. 11 prospect Sean Sullivan has bounced between the big league rotation and Triple-A, but they could add Major League-ready starting arms. Also, to have a truly consistent offense, they need to add hitters who fit in the top and heart of the order — established players or prospects who are close.

Biggest chip: Everybody, and nobody

There is no big contract to unload. Yet, there isn’t an untouchable player, although it would be hard to move two-time All-Star catcher Hunter Goodman (club control through 2029) or shortstop Ezequiel Tovar (signed through ‘30 with a ‘31 club option). The team’s outfield prospect depth makes it logical to move McCarthy and/or Moniak, but there is club control attached to both. In fact, every daily position player is under control at least through next year, and the club will use that as leverage. Most likely, the volatility can come in the bullpen. There are veterans (Antonio Senzatela, Jimmy Herget, Brennan Bernardino and new closer Jordan Romano), and – much like last year – young, hard throwers will be popular asks.

Key player for second half: SS Ezequiel Tovar

After a rousing performance for World Baseball Classic champion Venezuela, Tovar was expected to move into the stardom that has been predicted for him. But he hasn’t found any consistency and hits the All-Star break with a -0.6 WAR per Baseball-Reference. Tovar needs to catch fire to justify the trust that ownership has shown in him.

Determining Factor: Already determined

The Rockies entered the season wanting to establish a winning brand of baseball, but knowing that winning enough to contend in a future season will be dependent on increasing the talent level. Part of that process is players already on the team improving, but other methods will be getting impact from prospects such as Condon and using processes such as the Trade Deadline to bring in players. The deals don’t have to be big. A barely noticed deal with the Yankees during the winter netted first baseman and National League Rookie of the Year candidate TJ Rumfield.