Rockies players, coaches trying to remain present amid trade rumors

SAN DIEGO -- The leadup to the Aug. 3 Trade Deadline is an uncertain time for the Rockies.

Even if players like Mickey Moniak aren’t concerning themselves with the odds of being dealt, it doesn’t mean it’s not on their minds. How could it not be?

“We talk about it openly,” Rockies manager Warren Schaeffer said. “It’s just a thing that might happen, and everybody knows it. It’s not like you pretend it’s not happening. These are human beings and their lives might change [over the next] couple of days here.”

Moniak belted a two-run home run in the third inning of Tuesday night’s 8-7 walk-off loss to the Padres at Petco Park -- the La Costa Canyon High School product’s fifth career blast in his hometown ballpark -- in a showcase of the kind of thump he could be bringing to another lineup by next week.

He later added a jam-shot double to shallow left field in the seventh to help raise his slash line to .328/.347/.582 since the start of July after returning from a right ankle injury on June 22.

“Coming back from an injury is always tough, especially missing about a month,” Moniak said. “Sometimes it’ll take time, sometimes it happens right away. I think this is one of those where I’ve just been battling. I’ve been able to pick it up a bit as of late.”

While he isn’t Colorado’s most alluring potential trade chip -- that would be All-Star catcher Hunter Goodman -- Moniak’s availability perfectly illustrates how no one on this roster is untouchable.

A former No. 1 overall pick, Moniak has revitalized himself over his two seasons in Denver after largely falling short of lofty expectations for much of his career. He’s taken a liking to the club’s young core, emerging as a leader within a rebuilding franchise. He’s rewarded the Rockies on the field as a result.

And yet, it’s not unlikely that he could be on the move. It’s an unforgiving and sometimes cruel reality, but the players themselves understand it comes with the territory.

“I feel like my name has been floated [around] this time of year the last few years,” said outfielder Jake McCarthy, another player drawing trade interest. “I’m used to it. It’s part of it. Each team has the people in charge who have a responsibility to improve the team how they see fit. I’ll just let them do their job and I’ll try to keep doing mine.”

The reality for the Rockies is that they need more talent throughout the organization -- and that they have plenty of it to pull from in the outfield. Moniak, McCarthy, Gold Glove center fielder Brenton Doyle (currently injured), rookie Cole Carrigg, No. 3 prospect Charlie Condon and the struggling Jordan Beck (currently with Triple-A Albuquerque) are only a few of the names the Rockies view as impactful to their present and future.

But trading from an area of strength can help sharpen weaknesses -- like starting pitching and the bullpen. Hanging on to all of those pieces creates a logjam. At the same time, dealing them away means potentially losing an irreplaceable presence. The latter is not lost on Schaeffer.

“I love these guys, I love them all,” Schaeffer said. “If they get traded it will be difficult. It will be difficult for everybody around here, but that’s the position that we’re in.”

The idea of moving on from Moniak in particular isn’t an easy pill to swallow. The 28-year-old isn’t due for free agency until 2028. He’s been an important fixture in the heart of the Rockies’ order since joining the club in ‘25, with an .848 OPS in 721 plate appearances in that span.

Deal or no deal, neither Moniak nor his teammates are thinking about where they may be less than a week from now. They’re focused on the here and now.

“I’ve got no control of anything when it comes to that,” Moniak said. “This is my 10th year in pro ball. I've been traded before. The one thing that you realize over the years is that when it comes to a lot of things in this game, you have no control, especially the business side of it. Just being where my feet are. Love Denver, love being a Rockie, love Colorado. I just want to go out there and do everything I can to help this team win.”