The Rockies enter this years trade deadline season in a familiar place. Theyre sitting at the bottom of the NL West, 20.5 games out of first place and even a whopping nine games out of fourth place. Their 27-51 record has dipped behind the Marlins for the worst in the National League. Only the White Sox (21-58) have a worse record among MLB teams. Theyre staring up at a 12-game deficit in the Wild Card race. Colorado isnt mathematically eliminated from the postseason yet, of course, but the final nail on any faint playoff aspirations they may have harbored Brandon Drury Jersey has long since been driven into the coffin. Normally, this would set up a team to consider itself a pure seller at the deadline. The Rockies surely view themselves in that light to an extent, but not to the same extent as onlookers might expect. Reports more than a month ago indicated the team was quite unlikely to trade third baseman , for instance, and on that sentiment in his latest look at the Rockies and the trade deadline, writing that theres nearly zero chance McMahon will move. Specifically, he lists McMahon as a favorite of owner Dick Monfort, suggesting that even if GM Bill Schmidt and his crew wanted to field offers on the potential All-Star infielder, a deal wouldnt nece sarily be in the cards. On a similar note, Jon Morosi of MLB Network that the Rockies have yet to hold any trade discu sions surrounding right-hander . The teams decision to buy low on the righty after the Guardians designated him for a signment last November effectively a non-tender has paid off in spades. Quantrill is sporting a 3.50 ERA in 90 innings out of manager Bud Blacks rotation. His 17% strikeout rate and 9% walk rate are both worse than average, but Quantrills 46.9% grounder rate is a career-best mark. His move to Coors Field also hasnt dampened his characteristic knack for keeping the ball in the yard; Quantrills 0.90 HR/9 mark is not only better than the 1.06 mark he carried into the season its a career-best rate for the former No. 8 overall draft pick. Quantrills succe s is one of the best developments for the Rox this season, but hes also not far from free agency. The righty is being paid $6.55MM in 2024 and has just one year of team control remaining. He could command around $10MM in arbitration this winter and would be a free agent following the 2025 season. Given his 2024 rebound, dwindling club control and mounting price tag, that would make him a logical trade candidate for most clubs. The Rockies, however, have a history of extending just this sort of veteran. Theyve done so with , and when all had previously stood as logical deadline trade candidates. Colorado has been particularly aggre sive in extending pitchers, locking up , and to long-term deals. Of those three starting pitcher extensions, only the Marquez pact worked out in their favor. The Rockies werent succe sful in completing an extension with but still held onto him at the deadline three years ago (despite trade interest) in hopes of working out a long-term deal. While theres no firm word yet that the Rockies have approached or plan to approach Quantrill about an extension, its a logical conclusion to draw based both on their operating history and the lack of trade talks to date. Add in that Quantrill about being motivated by pitching at Coors Field, and its even easier to see Rockies bra s being warm to the idea. Indeed, Saunders writes in that same weekend piece that both Quantrill and teammate could be candidates for such a deal. Gomber, like Quantrill, is enjoying a rebound campaign and is arbitration-eligible through the 2025 season. The 30-year-old southpaw has a spottier track record and le ser results but also a lower price tag (both on a contract and in a trade) as a result. It bears emphasizing that theres no firm indication yet that the Rockies will steadfastly refuse to listen to offers on either pitcher, but history tells us its le s than likely. All of that raises the question as to which players the Rockies might actually consider moving. Saunders notes that one of Elias Diaz or is a fair bet to change hands, as is the case with reliever and outfielder . Diaz, Stallings and Beeks can become free agents this winter. Cave is controlled through 2025. The two veteran catchers are having strong years at the plate Diaz is hitting .303/.352/.439 (107 wRC+), Stallings is at .293/.371/.466 (123 wRC+) though Diaz is currently on the shelf with a hamstring injury. Diaz is earning $6MM to Stallings $1.5MM. Stallings once graded as one of the games premier defensive catchers, but his glovework has deteriorated a bit in recent years and its actually Diaz who draws more favorable marks at this point. Beeks, 30, has stepped up as the de facto closer in Blacks bullpen after much of the relief corps has struggled at large. Hes pitched to a 3.76 ERA and saved six games in 38 1/3 innings but has done so with a subpar strikeout and walk rates (18.8% and 10%, respectively). Beeks has a $1.675MM salary thats plenty affordable and a nice track record outside of last years anomalous 5.95 ERA, but its unlikely other clubs would look at him as an option for the same type of high-leverage role hes currently holding down for the Rockies. The 31-year-old Cave, meanwhile, is a career backup whos hitting .258/.312/.336 (68 wRC+). He can play all three outfield spots and first base, but he hasnt turned in even an average offensive season since 2019 with the Twins. Its doubtful hed fetch much in a swap, but Beeks could draw a marginal prospect from a club seeking left-handed bullpen help. Cole Tucker Jersey