MLB Trade Rumors: Carlos Gonzalez Available, Jose Reyes To Be Dealt Again?

The Colorado Rockies traded Troy Tulowitzki and LaTroy Hawkins to the Toronto Blue Jays for Jose Reyes, Miguel Castro and two minor leaguers in a surprising deal on Tuesday morning. After dealing one of the most appreciated players in the club's history, Colorado might not be done making moves.

Carlos Gonzalez has been made available by the Rockies, according to CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman. Rockies general manager Jeff Bridich may be looking to unload the outfielder as they sit in last place in the NL West and prepare to miss the playoffs for a sixth straight season.

Gonzalez’s contract isn’t as lengthy as Tulowitzki’s, but he’s still owed $37 million over the next two seasons, which Colorado is hoping they won’t have to pay. The 29-year-old had little trade value entering the 2015 season, coming off a season that saw him hit .238 in 70 games. Now, the Rockies are hoping to deal Gonzalez at a time when his value is higher than it’s been in quite some time.

No player in baseball is hotter than Gonzalez heading into the trade deadline. He’s hit four home runs in his last two games, giving him 10 homers, 23 RBI and a 1.328 OPS in July. Gonzalez struggled in the first two months of the season, but an incredible .892 slugging percentage this month has made him, perhaps, the most attractive power hitter on the market.

Heyman reports that the New York Mets, Los Angeles Angels and Baltimore Orioles are looking to add a big-time outfielder. The Mets had previously been linked to the Rockies as part of a potential deal for Tulowitzki, so they might make sense as a trading partner for Colorado.

It’s also not certain that Reyes will stay in Colorado. The Rockies are looking to add prospects, and paying Reyes $44 million in 2016-2017 isn’t ideal for a team that probably won’t be a contender.

But the Mets have been reluctant to spend money, and it seems highly unlikely that they’d be willing to pay the oft-injured Reyes so much. The shortstop has played in less than 72 percent of Toronto’s games over the last three years, hitting .289 with 61 stolen bases.

Acquiring Gonzalez would make much more sense for New York. They have the prospects to get a deal done, and they would be landing a player that is under contract for two more seasons. Gonzalez has had his own injury issues, but has hit at least 20 home runs in five of the last six seasons, and won’t turn 30 years old until the conclusion of the regular season. The Mets made small offensive upgrades over the weekend, adding Kelly Johnson and Juan Uribe. Third baseman David Wright is expected to return to action soon, and catcher Travis d'Arnaud has completed two rehab games.

The Angels, who could make a play for Gonzalez, traded for outfielder Shane Victorino on Monday. The Orioles are looking to add an outfielder with power, and they’ve spoken with the San Diego Padres about acquiring outfielder Justin Upton.

Data Curated by pointafter.com