Colorado Rockies Trade Rumors: Tracking Hot Updates, News and Reaction

At 39-49, the Colorado Rockies find themselves with one of the worst records in baseball, so if they were ever considering starting from scratch, now is as good of a time as ever.

It's no secret that the club has some attractive pieces, like Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez, that could fetch a huge return in a trade. Even just trading one of those stars would go a long way in turning things around. Trade rumors have swirled around those players for the past few years, and this year should be no different.

Colorado is putting up its usual statistics. It has one of the best offenses in the majors as well as one of the worst pitching staffs. That just comes with the territory of playing 81 games at Coors Field.

Keep coming back throughout July to see what rumors the Rockies are involved in and what deals they make before the July 31 trade deadline passes.

Done Deals

Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

July 28: Traded SS Troy Tulowitzki and RHP LaTroy Hawkins to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for SS Jose Reyes, RHPs Miguel Castro, Jeff Hoffman and Jesus Tinoco

July 28: Rockies Trade Troy Tulowitzki to Blue Jays

David Zalubowski/Associated Press

The Colorado Rockies have shocked the baseball world by trading shortstop Troy Tulowitzki and reliever LaTroy Hawkins to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for shortstop Jose Reyes, right-hander Miguel Castro, right-hander Jeff Hoffman and right-hander Jesus Tinoco.

Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal was the one to break the news. Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reported that no cash is involved in the deal.

Tulowitzki was once again having a good season, making his fifth National League All-Star team. The 30-year-old hit .300 with 12 home runs, 19 doubles and 53 RBI in 87 games.

In his 10 seasons in Colorado, Tulowitzki hit .299 with 188 home runs, 224 doubles, 24 triples and 656 RBI. He won two Gold Gloves and two Silver Sluggers.

By trading the shortstop, the Rockies were able to get rid of a huge contract. Tulowitzki is making $20 million this season and is guaranteed $98 million through the 2020 season. That number will increase to $109 million if his 2021 option is picked up. As Rosenthal notes, Tulowitzki will receive a $2 million bonus as a result of the trade.

In return, the Rockies received a former All-Star shortstop and minor leaguers.

Reyes, a four-time All-Star, is hitting .285 with four home runs and 17 doubles this season. While his speed isn't what it once was, he does have 16 stolen bases this season.

Like Tulowitzki, Reyes has a big contract attached to him. The 32-year-old is making $22 million this season and in each of the next two seasons. His contract also includes a $22 million team option (or a $4 million buyout) for the 2018 season.

With highly touted prospect Trevor Story on the cusp of the majors down in Triple-A, it would not be a major surprise to see the Rockies try to flip Reyes.

The Rockies also received a highly touted prospect in Castro. According to MLB.com, the right-hander was the Blue Jays' No. 5 prospect.

Castro started the season in the majors, posting a 4.38 ERA in 13 games, spanning 12.1 innings. The 20-year-old has since gone back down to the minors. He has posted a 4.34 ERA and a 1.929 WHIP in 12 games (five starts).

While those numbers may not look great, it's important to note that Castro had not pitched above Single-A before this season. He has been given an opportunity to prove himself at the higher levels and is learning on the job.

Hoffman (22) and Tinoco (20) are both talented young arms, which gives the Rockies hope that their future pitching staff will be strong. 

Colorado has continually looked for pitching for years and may have gotten itself a future front-of-the-rotation starter. Castro has a fastball that can reach the high-90s, a strong changeup and a solid slider. All he needs is time to develop into a professional starter, and he could be the pitcher that the Rockies need.

Potential Trade Candidate: OF Carlos Gonzalez

David Zalubowski/Associated Press

After trading Troy Tulowitzki, Colorado could go in full rebuild mode and deal Carlos Gonzalez as well.

CBS Sports' Jon Heyman reported that the Rockies were "said to be planning" to move the star outfielder now.

If the Rockies were to trade Gonzalez, his value would never be higher than it is right now.

Gonzalez won the co-National League Player of the Week award coming out of the All-Star break, as he is hitting .538 with seven home runs and 15 RBI since the break. For the season, he is hitting .278 with 20 home runs and 51 RBI.

The 29-year-old has spent the last seven seasons with the Rockies, hitting .297 with 152 home runs, 161 doubles, 32 triples and 482 RBI.

Gonzalez is making $16 million this season, and he will make $17 million next season and $20 million in 2017.

Trade Candidate: RHP John Axford

David Zalubowski/Associated Press

Update from Sunday, July 19 at 3:30 p.m. ET

The Detroit Tigers are among the teams interested in Axford, according to Fox Sports' Jon Morosi.

--End of Update--

After struggling the past few seasons, John Axford signed a minor league contract with the Rockies this past offseason. That has turned out to be a good deal for both sides.

The 32-year-old looks like he has regained his form from 2011, when he led the league in saves with the Milwaukee Brewers. He has posted a 2.36 ERA and a 1.238 WHIP in 26.2 innings this season. Perhaps the biggest reasons why he is pitching well are that his walks per nine innings (3.7) and home runs per nine (0.3) are both down. That's key at Coors Field.

As Saunders writes, the Rockies will face an interesting dilemma at the trade deadline. Axford will likely generate a lot of interest on the market, but at the same time, the reliever—who is under club control through the 2016 season—could be an important part of the team's bullpen in the future.

Colorado could try to get some young players in return for Axford, or it could try to ink him to an extension. It's up to the front office as to which move would benefit the club the most.