Colorado Rockies Trade Ideas: After Adding Mark Ellis, Who Might Be Next?

This afternoon the Colorado Rockies added Mark Ellis from the Oakland A's as the trade deadline period starts to swing into action. To get him they gave up minor league pitcher Bruce Billings and a player to be named later. 

While this move certainly won't excite a somewhat disillusioned fanbase, it does signal that the Rockies are serious about trying to get better for a push to the playoffs in the second half of the season.

Although 35, Ellis can still provide a boost on defense and hits well against left-handers. Second base is fairly well glutted with Eric Young Jr., Chris Nelson, Ty Wigginton and Jonathan Herrera taking turns. With a chock-full roster, there are clearly more trades in the offing. The following slideshow examines a few of the "need" areas for the Rockies and matches those needs with the best potential match from non-contending teams.

Adding Blake DeWitt from the Cubs Would Strengthen Lineup and Shore Up 3rd Base

DeWitt, currently a .272 hitter, would help stabilize one of the weaker positions for the Rockies in 2011. The Chicago Cubs are well out of contention and are tied for the second-worst record in baseball with the Minnesota Twins and could be looking for minor league value. Or, they could overpay and "overtrade" for Aaron Cook as they have for other players in the recent past.

Either way, having Ty Wigginton at second base and DeWitt at third would greatly enhance the Rockies.

Adding J.A. Happ from the Houston Astros Would Enhance Rotation

Big southpaw J.A. Happ has had a rough season for the Houston Astros so far this year. With a 3-9 record and a 5.54 ERA, Happ has taken to throwing live batting practice recently in hopes of reversing his current streak of seven winless outings.

Despite these troubles, he is the best known pitcher for Houston and has had success in the past. The Astros are truly abominable this year, though, and they may be willing to trade him. Perhaps a change of scenery would do him well, and in the process he could replace Aaron Cook in the regular rotation.

Since losing Jorge De La Rosa to injury, the Rockies rotation has been suspect. J.A. Happ could help in the second half.

Royals Pitcher Bruce Chen Would Cure Middle Relief Problems

The Kansas City Royals are a young team with a lot of upside for the next couple of years. Right now, however, they are still languishing in the dregs of the American League. As such, they may be looking to trade a few of their players to get future value. One player who could be an attractive option for the Rockies is Bruce Chen.

The Rockies have been deplorable at keeping leads of late. Adding another steady gun to their rotation (and potentially moving Aaron Cook to middle relief) would help Jim Tracy and nervous fans breathe easier in late-game situations.

Twins' Michael Cuddyer Would Provide Defensive Versatility and a Hot Bat

The Minnesota Twins may or may not be in a selling mood. They have pulled themselves out of the scrap heap with their recent spate of wins. As a result, they might attempt to fix their relief pitching woes instead of selling off players.

If they are in a selling mood, however, the Rockies would do well to pick up Michael Cuddyer, an above-average fielder and a .283 hitter. Cuddyer would be a good replacement for either Eric Young Jr. (a wretched fielder) or Ryan Spilborghs (an impatient batter).

In this case, the Twins may covet Jason Giambi. The seemingly ageless Jim Thome has been having a down year with the Twins with only four home runs, so Giambi would be an instant upgrade at DH. Losing Giambi would not be a huge loss for the Rockies since there really isn't a good place for him in the regular lineup. He would be a laughably slow outfielder and he won't replace Todd Helton at first base.

Giambi has been ineffective in most of his pinch-hitting opportunities this year, but has been a beast when he's had multiple at-bats in a game. There is just no room for Giambi on a National League team. The Giambi-for-Cuddyer trade would be a win for both teams.

The Rockies clearly have much of the talent in place for a late-season run. The core stars of Todd Helton, Troy Tulowitzki, Ubaldo Jimenez and even Jhoulys Chacin can pull it together and summon the required grit it takes to revive Colorado. Adding Cuddyer, Chen, Happ and DeWitt would give the Rockies the last few pieces they need to break through and live up to early-season expectations.