Denver Post sports writer Patrick Saunders with the latest installment of his Rockies Mailbag.
Pose a Rockies- or MLB-related question for the Rockies Mailbag.

Are the Rockies looking to sell off some outfield/corner infield prospects for MLB-ready pitching?

— Andrew, Fort Lupton

Andrew, greetings from the MLB winter meetings from the Opryland Hotel and Convention Center in Nashville. If you’ve never been here, it’s a pretty amazing place: an indoor tourist city under a steel-and-glass roof with a fake river and Christmas lights. Think of the movie “The Truman Show.”

But I digress.

General manager Bill Schmidt told me Monday that he’s open to trading both established players and prospects in exchange for pitching. Whether that happens or not remains a huge question mark. As far as corner players go, the club could dangle outfielders Sean Bouchard and Hunter Goodman, and perhaps DH/first baseman Elehuris Montero. The problem is, to get an MLB-ready pitcher, the Rockies would have to create a package or part with a more established player such as third baseman Ryan McMahon or some of their best young prospects that aren’t on the 40-man roster yet. I don’t know if the Rockies are willing to part with their youngsters because I think they know that team knows it won’t be a contender until 2025, at the earliest.

I still maintain that second baseman Brendan Rodgers is Colorado’s most likely trade chip, in part because he still has two years of arbitration left and also because he has untapped potential.

I just wanted to say thanks for continuing to cover this team despite the front office’s lackluster approach to fielding competitive baseball. I imagine it can be frustrating to deal with an onslaught of fan negativity whilst trying to remain unbiased in your reporting. Here’s to hoping a solid team comes together in the next couple of years and we can relive the joy and excitement of “this-game-matters” baseball past July.

— Chris Boothroy, Parker

Chris, thanks for that.

I admit that it’s discouraging covering a team that has been so bad for five straight seasons. Interest in the Rockies has dwindled dramatically in recent years, which is a shame because I think Colorado loves baseball and it would be great to see LoDo come alive again in September and October. (Sigh)

When the dog days of summer arrive, I have to remind myself that writing about a big-league team is still a pretty good gig, even if the Rockies are way down the Colorado sports totem pole in terms of popularity.

Hey Patrick, what do you think the odds are of us landing Shohei Ohtani? I can’t imagine it’s very good, but let’s say we land him: How much would he help this team and would they ever let him pitch in Coors Field or would they just have him be on the mound on the road? Thanks!

— Quinn, Highlands Ranch

Quinn, you sort of answered your question. The Rockies’ chances of landing Ohtani are zero — with a capital Z and a capital O.

First of all, Ohtani is projected to sign a contract worth more than $500 million over 10 to 12 years. There is no way the Rockies can pay him that much. Plus, even when he returns to the mound after elbow surgery — he won’t pitch in 2024 — there is no way he would consider pitching at Coors Field. Plus, he’s a big-market star. The Rockies are not a big-market team.

Looking at the Rockies and their roster right now, what letter grade would you give them? What areas are deficient and need to be addressed?

— Ed Helinski, Auburn, N.Y.

Ed, you don’t mess around with your questions.

Right now, I’d give the roster a D. Coming off a 103-loss season, and the state of the Rockies’ injured rotation, might prompt an F, but the young position talent has the Rockies projecting upward.

Pitching, both starting and relieving, remains the team’s weakest link. The addition of right-hander Cal Quantrill has given the rotation a boost, but we don’t know for sure when right-handers German Marquez and Antonio Senzatela will return from Tommy John surgery. Nor do we know how they will perform.

The emergence of rookie shortstop Ezequiel Tovar, along with rookie outfielders Brenton Doyle and Nolan Jones, forms the nucleus of the team going forward. I still believe that third baseman Ryan McMahon has not reached his full potential as a hitter, but I’ve said that many times over, so now’s the time for him to take the next step. I’m sure there is more in the tank for second baseman Brendan Rodgers.

So there is potential in the day-to-day lineup. Now those players have to perform.

Do you think the Rox will make a run for any starting pitching or catcher and will they re-sign Brent Suter, who was very reliable last year?

— Allan Fredericks, Louisville

Allan, I’ve already discussed the starting pitching situation a number of times. I believe the Rockies will look for a veteran catcher to back up Elias Diaz. The catcher would likely be signed to a minor-league deal with a chance to make the team in spring training. Those types of deals often happen in January and February. While the Rockies liked backup catcher Austin Wynn’s defense last season, general manager Bill Schmidt said Monday that he’s seeking a catcher with more pop in his bat. Wynn’s hit .214 with one home run and eight RBIs in 177 at-bats.

As for Suter, who’s a free agent, the Rockies certainly showed some interest in re-signing the lefty before the end of the season, but the two sides never came together. Here is what Schmidt said Monday about the Rockies’ left-handed relievers: “We will wait and see what happens with Suter. Right now we have (Jalen) Beeks. We still have (Evan) Justice, and I don’t think he really showed what he’s capable of doing. He’s still going to be a good pitcher. And we have Lucas (Gilbreath) coming back from Tommy John.”

Beeks was claimed off of waivers from the Rays last month.

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