The Colorado Rockies have struggled all season long. Colorado’s bullpen has blown multiple games, the offense has been nonexistent at times, and the starters are either hit or miss during their starts on the mound. Rockies starter Cal Quantrill has been the best starter within the rotation two and a half months into the season. He’s the only Rockies starter with more wins than losses this year. It’s been extremely tough for any of the other Rockies starters to pick up wins. However, Quantrill gives the Rockies a chance in every start. He’s been exceptional with his 6-5 record in 15 starts. With Colorado’s season sliding down a slippery avalanche, is Quantrill the perfect trade chip?
Three Potential Landing Spots For Rockies Ace
Atlanta Braves
Quantrill would be a solid fit with the Atlanta Braves. Atlanta is currently 42-31. They sit six games behind the Philadelphia Phillies for first place in the NL East division. The loss of last year’s National League MVP, Ronald Acuña Jr., devastated this team, yet the team has stayed focused and in the hunt to take down the Phillies and claim that top spot in the division. The Braves offense should give him run support if Quantrill can provide quality starts. The Braves rank eighth in the Major with a 3.76 ERA. They also are tied for 11th in the league with the Seattle Mariners with 650 strikeouts. Trading for Quantrill would increase the Braves’ chances of making the postseason and push the Rockies closer to next year’s number-one overall pick.
Texas Rangers
It has not been a season the defending champion Texas Rangers have hoped for. The Rangers are 35-40. They’re third in the AL West division, a half-game behind the Houston Astros, and seven and a half games behind the Seattle Mariners. Texas ranks 19th in the Majors with a 4.12 ERA. With 331 runs allowed, tied for 16th in the league, this team’s pitching staff needs some help. The offense has some great pieces, but if they even want to be considered back in the postseason conversation, the guys on the mound need to step up. Playing for a team with some depth would give Quantrill some confidence. With Quantrill, Texas’s play could completely turn around.
Arizona Diamondbacks
Last year, the Arizona Diamondbacks defied all odds. They clinched the final seed in the National League, became National League champions, and appeared in their first World Series since 2001. This year, the D-Backs are playing around that finals Wild Card spot; however, they want to prove to the rest of the league that they have what it takes to make another deep playoff run. Arizona may do whatever it takes to make the playoffs, even if that means reaching out to their division rival to boost their rotation. The Diamondbacks have an overall ERA of 4.47 with 550 strikeouts. This ranks 26th and 29th in the Majors, respectively. At 38-38, they must find answers quickly before it’s too late. Quantrill could provide a spark on the mound, giving the D-Backs another terrific second-half push.
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