Who the Rockies Should Trade for to Replace Jorge De La Rosa

As you all have heard, Jorge De La Rosa is out for the season. In between games, the Rockies said an MRI showed a complete tear of the ulnar collateral ligament in De La Rosa's left elbow.

That likely means Tommy John-style tendon-replacement surgery that would sideline the hard-throwing left-hander for a year.

Can the Rockies still be competitive? Yes, they can, but they're going to need to trade for someone that can replace De La Rosa.

Here are five guys the Rockies should inquire about that could potentially be on the trading block.

Joe Blanton

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WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 12: Pitcher Joe Blanton #56 of the Philadelphia Phillies delivers to a Washington Nationals batter at Nationals Park on April 12, 2011 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

I've mentioned this before in an article I wrote before the season on why the Rockies should trade for Joe Blanton, and I will still honor it.

I agree with this article saying why Blanton could be on the trading block. I think the Rockies would prefer a left-handed pitcher (since De La Rosa was our only southpaw in the rotation) but if they can't find one, don't be surprised if they ask about Blanton.

Jeff Francis

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DETROIT - MAY 14: Jeff Francis #26 of the Kansas City Royals pitches in the first inning during the game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on May 14, 2011 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)

I wanted the Rockies to let him go last offseason, and I was very glad they did.

However, they need a left-handed pitcher badly, and with Francis potentially on the trading block, as he isn't pitching too badly this season, I would welcome him back.

John Grabow

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PHOENIX, AZ - MAY 01: Relief pitcher John Grabow #43 of the Chicago Cubs pitches against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the Major League Baseball game at Chase Field on May 1, 2011 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Diamondbacks defeated the Cubs 4-3. (Photo by

Another potential free agent after the season, Grabow is definitely the lefty the Rockies need.

He isn't the best option, but he shouldn't be hard to trade for and the Rockies would only need him for this season.

Mark Buehrle

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CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 07: Mark Buehrle #56 of the Chicago White Sox smiles at fans during player introductions before the home opener against the Tampa Bay Rays at U.S. Cellular Field on April 7, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. The White Sox defeated the Rays 5-

The White Sox have been surprisingly bad this season and they could be sellers very soon. Buehrle is a free agent after the season, so he is a prime candidate to be traded.

And he's the lefty the Rockies now need, so...why not?

Wandy Rodriguez

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HOUSTON - MAY 11: Pitcher Wandy Rodriguez #51 of the Houston Astros throws to Edgar Renteria of the Cincinnati Reds in the first inning at Minute Maid Park on May 11, 2011 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

This is the PERFECT guy to trade for (in my opinion). The dude's a great pitcher and he would help out any contender.

The Astros brought him back on a three-year, $34 million deal, but with youngsters Bud Norris and J.A. Happ playing so well, it might be time to move him. Rodriguez would be worth a couple of solid prospects on the open market.

I say we should give the Astros Jose Lopez, Eric Young Jr. and one other decent prospect.