Star pitcher Tarik Skubal is now off the market, but there is still plenty of buzz ahead of Monday night’s trade deadline — including with the Colorado Rockies.
Colorado, in last place in the National League despite sweeping the Kansas City Royals over the weekend, opens a three-game series against Tampa Bay on Monday night in Denver. The Rockies could have an altered roster before right-hander Michael Lorenzen throws the first pitch.
The Rays — after watching Skubal go from the Tigers to the Dodgers — shook up their roster on Sunday by acquiring starting pitcher Freddy Peralta from the New York Mets.
The veteran righty could make his Tampa Bay debut in Denver, but Monday night it will be lefty Ian Seymour (7-3, 4.37 ERA) on the mound against Lorenzen (3-9, 6.54).
Lorenzen has made four career appearances (three starts) against the Rays and is 3-1 with a 2.89 ERA in those outings. He has just one win since beating the New York Mets on April 24, a span of 16 starts.
Colorado has veterans who could be moved — outfielders Jake McCarthy and Mickey Moniak as well as infielder Willi Castro — but the most discussed trade chip is catcher Hunter Goodman, who is putting together another career year.
Goodman likely increased his trade value with his performance Saturday night when he went 4-for-5 with two home runs and five RBIs. His 33 homers are the most by a Rockies catcher in a season, and are tied with Philadelphia’s Kyle Schwarber to lead the National League.
The 26-year-old Goodman would be fine staying with the only organization he has played for.
“Whatever happens, happens. I know right now I enjoy playing baseball for the Colorado Rockies,” he said. “I love the guys in this clubhouse and love playing for (manager Warren Schaeffer).”
The Rays are coming off a 9-1 home loss against the Chicago White Sox on Sunday. They have lost two of their last three but are 2 1/2 games ahead of the New York Yankees in the American League East.
Peralta’s arrival comes after lefty Shane McClanahan landed on the injured list with low back tightness.
“I’m very excited,” Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash said after the loss to Chicago. “Given that Mac is down, being able to slot him in (helps).”
Peralta, 30, won 17 games with Milwaukee in 2025 but struggled with the Mets this season, going 5-9 with a 4.99 ERA in 22 starts. The Rays hope going from a last-place team to one leading its division will turn things around for Peralta.
“I know he’s going to love this place,” starter Griffin Jax said after pitching five innings and taking the loss against the White Sox on Sunday. “They call him Fastball Freddy. Any time anybody with a good heater steps on this mound, it’s generally pretty favorable.”
Seymour, who has worked mostly out of the bullpen in his 36 games this season, is slated to make his eighth start and will face Colorado for the first time in his brief career. He has started six of his last 10 games, and his longest outing as a starter was six innings at Kansas City on July 2.
–Field Level Media
