The Colorado Rockies are headed toward the 2026 MLB trade deadline with plenty of noise around the roster, but one name keeps coming up that probably shouldn’t be treated as a real trade chip: Hunter Goodman.
Goodman has been mentioned in rumors, but the idea of the Rockies actually moving him does not look likely, especially with the way he’s been hitting. He remains one of the biggest reasons the offense still has life when Colorado wins, and without him, the lineup would be in a much tougher spot.
The Rockies control him through 2029, and his value goes beyond the box score. As the catcher, he helps set the tone for the team, and even in a last-place season, he’s still been part of a group that’s slightly better than it was a year ago.
There is also a defensive wrinkle that could affect how other teams view him. The bat is clearly the selling point right now, but his defense may keep clubs from seeing him as the kind of asset they’d be willing to pay up for.
If Goodman wants to silence that conversation, the next step is obvious: keep producing after the 2026 season and keep sharpening the defensive side of his game. For now, though, the expectation is that he stays in black and purple.
The numbers back up why Colorado would be hesitant to deal him. Goodman is hitting .256/.327/.877 with 31 home runs, 60 RBIs, 95 hits, and 64 runs in 99 games this season.
While Goodman looks safe, the Rockies could be busy elsewhere. There’s a strong chance multiple players are moved before Aug. 3, and the total could reach six. Four of those six are pitchers.
The names most likely to come up include Kyle Freeland, Tomoyoki Sugano, Michael Lorenzen, and Antonio Senzatela.
Freeland has been with the Rockies for years, but his recent stretch has been rough enough that a change of scenery feels possible. His performance has become a problem for the rotation, and he hasn’t looked like the pitcher he was in his first two seasons.
Senzatela, meanwhile, has been one of the more interesting stories on the roster. His work out of the bullpen helped revive his career, and after a difficult 2025 season, he put together a 9-2 record with a 3.66 ERA and 45 strikeouts in 51.2 innings. That kind of production gives him value for teams looking for bullpen help, and Colorado will hope that turns into a meaningful return.
More broadly, the Rockies need younger starting pitching. If they can land a few solid young arms and a versatile infielder, that would help their long-term outlook. There’s also a case for giving some of their top prospects a shot in the majors next month.
In Other News...
Rockies Fans Know Exactly What This Deadline Rumor Means
With the trade deadline drawing closer, the market is starting to take shape around clubs sitting near the bottom of the standings, and that naturally puts a few familiar names in play. Bo Bichette, George Springer, Mickey Moniak, Zach Neto, Luis Arraez and Heliot Ramos are all being discussed as possible candidates for contenders looking to add offense, which is the sort of list that always gets attention when teams begin sorting buyers from sellers.
For Colorado, the name that stands out is Moniak, since the Rockies are buried in last place and have little reason to hold onto a player who could bring back future talent. Playoff hopefuls are looking for outfield help, which only adds to the sense that this is the kind of deadline rumor that could move quickly once teams decide how aggressive they want to be. [Read more 🡒]
Rockies Suddenly Hold The Leverage In A Deadline Drama
The Red Soxs infield plans took an immediate hit when Curtis Mead went down with a broken wrist soon after arriving from Washington, and that kind of setback can change a deadline board in a hurry. With Boston already looking for another bat, the injury only sharpens the need for Craig Breslow to keep working the market as the deadline approaches.
For Colorado, that matters because Hunter Goodman is one of the more intriguing names they can dangle if they choose to listen. Paul DePodesta does not sound eager to move him unless the return is substantial, which is why the Rockies suddenly find themselves in a position to wait and see whether Boston gets aggressive enough to make a real push. [Read more 🡒]