Trade Central: Rays Add Outfielder In Rockies’ Dickerson For McGee

THE DEAL

It seemed apparent when the Rockies signed Gerardo Parra to a three-year, $27.5 million deal that Colorado was going to part with an outfielder. And it seemed apparent from all the chatter around the Rays looking for an outfielder—particularly in rumors involving the Cubs—that they’d be able to accomplish that as well.

Those two things came to pass Thursday when the Rockies sent Corey Dickerson and third baseman Kevin Padlo to Tampa Bay for hard-throwing lefthander Jake McGee and young righthander German Marquez.

Colorado had to move one of Dickerson, Carlos Gonzalez and Charlie Blackmon to accommodate Parra, and Dickerson had an extra year of control than Blackmon, allowing the Rockies to extract a higher price, including McGee, who was usurped in the closer role last season by Brad Boxberger.

McGee clearly becomes the closer in Colorado, where his penurious home run ways will be tested. McGee has allowed just 0.7 homers per nine innings in his career, including a career-best 0.3 per nine in 73 games in 2014 when just two balls left the yard in 71 innings.

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ROCKIES ACQUIRE Jake McGee, lhp Age: 29

The Rockies had earlier this offseason signed veteran righthanders Jason Motte and Chad Qualls to prop up the back end of their bullpen and in McGee they now have the shutdown closer that could help them if they contend. They also have a pitcher with two years of control and, if they fall out of contention in July, they could flip McGee for future assets before the Aug. 1 (for 2016 only) trade deadline.

McGee missed the start of the 2015 season after elbow surgery and Boxberger held the closer’s role most of the season, despite struggling at times. McGee’s 32.7 percent strikeout rate in 2015 was 12th-best among relievers with 30-plus innings.

In many ways, McGee is the perfect pitcher for Coors Field in that he gets strikeouts, is essentially groundball/flyball neutral and throws the fastball more than 90 percent of the time in an environment where breaking pitches go to hang and get hit. He is scheduled to earn $4.8 million in 2016 with another year of arbitration before he’s eligible for free agency.

Club (League)	Class	W	L	ERA	G	SV	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	AVG
Charlotte (FSL)	HiA	0	0	0.00	2	0	2	0	0	0	0	2	1	.000
Durham (IL)	AAA	0	0	0.00	4	0	4	2	0	0	0	2	5	.154
Tampa Bay (AL)	MAJ	1	2	2.41	39	6	37	27	11	10	3	8	48	.197

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German Marquez, rhp Age: 20

In an international market that doesn’t often bear fruit until several years after players have signed, Marquez represents reassurance that the Rays’ international scouting operation is working. Since signing for $225,000 in 2011, Marquez has slowly but surely climbed the ladder. Things began to click for him in 2014, when he gained strength and size and conquered the Midwest League as a 19-year-old. In 2015, Marquez reached high Class A Charlotte and showed the makings of two plus-or-better pitches. His fastball, which worked more in the low 90s previously, ticked up, hitting 97 and consistently working at 93-95. His curveball has tight spin and promising depth, leading some scouts to project it as a plus pitch. Marquez’s changeup also shows promise. The righthander has feel for his changeup down and to both sides of the plate, giving him another weapon to combat lefthanded hitters. Marquez also has excellent control, thanks to his balanced delivery and repeatable, short-to-long arm action. Some scouts project him to develop above-average control at maturity. His pitch-sequencing and command both improved as the 2015 season wore on, and he should advance to Double-A in 2016.

— Hudson Belinsky

Club (League)	Class	W	L	ERA	G	GS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	AVG
Charlotte (FSL)	HiA	7	13	3.56	26	23	139	147	68	55	6	29	104	.272

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RAYS ACQUIRE Corey Dickerson, of Age: 26

Dickerson, drafted out of Meridian (Miss.) CC in the eighth round in 2010, broke out in 2014 at age 25 with a .931 OPS, but was limited last season to just 65 games because of plantar fasciitis, although he says the foot is healed. He was still quite successful at the plate in his limited time, but the Rockies felt they could part with him to bring in a much-needed reliever. For his career, Dickerson has been far more successful at Coors Field (1.085 OPS) than on the road (.695 OPS). Dickerson is nowhere near the defender that Parra is, or new teammates Kevin Kiermaier or Desmond Jennings, so he might see plenty of time at DH. He’s an average runner.

Club (League)	Class	AVG	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	OBP	SLG
Modesto (CAL)	HiA	.375	2	8	2	3	0	0	0	1	0	1	0	.375	.375
Albuquerque (PCL)	AAA	.286	7	28	3	8	1	0	1	3	1	4	0	.310	.429
Colorado (NL)	MAJ	.304	65	224	30	68	18	2	10	31	10	56	0	.333	.536

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Kevn Padlo, if Age: 19

Padlo rebounded from a rough introduction to full-season ball—he hit .145 in 27 games at low Class A Asheville this April—to show a solid tool set and lead the NWL with 22 doubles, 33 extra-base hits and a .502 slugging percentage.

Padlo has solid-average raw power and makes consistent, hard contact. He has a fearless, aggressive mindset that helps his average tools play up, particularly at the plate. He has no problem spitting on offspeed stuff down. He had a pull approach when he entered pro ball but now shows an ability to use the whole field.

Padlo’s arm is a tick above-average, but it’s enough to play third base, and he has good enough footwork to handle the hot corner. An average but intelligent baserunner, he finished second in the NWL with 33 steals.

“He has quick feet at third,” one NWL manager said. “He’s a much better third baseman than you’d think.”

Club (League)	Class	AVG	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	OBP	SLG
Asheville (SAL)	LoA	.145	27	83	11	12	5	0	2	7	14	26	2	.273	.277
Boise (NWL)	SS	.294	70	255	44	75	22	2	9	46	45	62	33	.404	.502