Rockies predicted to trade former Phillies, Royals All-Star to boost farm system originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Colorado Rockies are showing signs of an improved team, but are still expected to be out of the postseason race come the trade deadline.

Since the Rockies have three notable veterans in their starting rotation, it only makes sense that they trade at least one of them.

Tomoyuki Sugano, Jose Quintana, and Michael Lorenezen all signed one-year contracts with the NL West club. ESPN's David Schoenfield labels Lorenzen as Colorado's most likely trade candidate.

"Lorenzen is the definition of a journeyman pitcher. Since 2022, he has played for the Angels, Tigers, Phillies, Rangers, Royals, and Rockies, getting traded at the deadline in 2023 and 2024," Schoenfield wrote. "He can start or pitch in relief, and though his early numbers with the Rockies are ugly, a nine-run outing in his first start at Coors Field is responsible for that."

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Having a swingman like Lorenzen could be valuable for postseason contenders. The 2023 All-Star has 7.2 innings of playoff experience, including 1.2 innings in the 2023 NLCS against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

On an expiring contract, it would make little to no sense for the Rockies to hold on to Lorenzen past the trade deadline. The rebuilding franchise could get one to two under-the-radar prospects in return.

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