The Rockies used Monday’s trade deadline to make a move with an eye on what comes next, sending right-handed reliever Victor Vodnik to the Marlins and getting infielder Connor Norby plus right-handed pitching prospect Aiden May in return, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
It’s the kind of deal that fits Colorado’s deadline approach: give up a useful big league arm, but bring back players who can stay in the picture beyond this season. Vodnik had become one of the more dependable late-inning options in the Rockies’ bullpen, and his team control made him appealing to teams trying to shore up their relief corps before the deadline closed.
Norby is the centerpiece of the return. The 26-year-old gives Colorado another controllable major league bat who can step in right away and compete for playing time. He has already logged nearly 200 big league games, and while his production has dipped this year, the Rockies are clearly betting on the upside.
In 65 games with the Marlins this season, Norby hit .205 with four home runs, 16 RBI, six stolen bases and a .638 OPS. For his career, he owns a .234 average with 21 home runs and 70 RBI.
His defensive versatility adds to the appeal. Norby has played all three infield bases, giving manager Warren Schaeffer another movable piece as Colorado sorts through its options over the next two months. He’s not locked in as an everyday player yet, but the Rockies see a bat with more in it than he has shown so far this year.
May gives Colorado another young arm to develop. The 23-year-old right-hander has spent this season at High-A Beloit, where he is 4-3 with a 3.80 ERA in 14 starts across 68.2 innings. Over his career, he has posted a 3.47 ERA with 88 strikeouts in 96 innings while holding opponents to a .217 batting average.
He’s not expected to be in the majors anytime soon, but he adds another name to the system for Colorado to build on down the road.
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