Major League Baseball’s trade deadline is just a few days away. On Monday, August 3rd at 4:00 PM MT, the Colorado Rockies will hopefully have had one of their most active deadlines in recent memory.
With a new front office helmed by president of baseball operations Paul DePodesta and general manager Josh Byrnes, it has been indicated that the Rockies are open for business. Many players–especially veterans and those on expiring contracts–have been designated as available and are even reportedly drawing interest from teams throughout the league.
The Rockies made their first trade last week to signal the start of the trade season. Right-handed reliever Seth Halvorsen was sent in a surprising and rare trade to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for two prospects. Last season, the Rockies similarly made their first big move before the deadline. However, under former general manager Bill Schmidt they ended up making just three total trades. Let’s take a look back at those trades and see where the bar sits for this season’s deadline.
Third Baseman Ryan McMahon to the New York Yankees
In the week preceding last year’s deadline, the Rockies signaled change might be coming when they dealt long-time third baseman and face of the franchise Ryan McMahon to the New York Yankees in exchange for pitching prospects Josh Grosz and Griffin Herring.
Grosz showed off his strikeout stuff in High-A Spokane to finish the 2025 season with 41 strikeouts in 38.1 innings. However, he struggled with his command and ended the season with a 5.87 ERA. The Rockies’ new front office then traded Grosz this off-season to the Arizona Diamondbacks for outfielder Jake McCarthy. McCarthy has in turn become one of the Rockies’ most valuable contributors and is now potentially on the market t be traded again within the next few days.
Herring (no. 10 PuRP) dominated with the High-A Spokane Indians after being acquired by the Rockies. He quickly became one of the team’s more highly ranked prospects and held a 2.40 ERA over seven starts with 47 strikeouts in 30 innings. Unfortunately, his 2026 has been a difficult one. Herring has struggled with the move to Double-A Hartford. While still showcasing the ability to strike out loads of batters with 32 in 23.1 innings, he has also struggled with his command with 25 walks and has been hit hard. Herring has been sent on development stints with the Arizona Complex League several times this season.
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Meanwhile, McMahon hasn’t necessarily taken to his change of scenery. Once an every day starter, he is now in a platoon situation with Amed Rosario–who was also obtained by the Yankees during last year’s deadline. While still a strong defensive third baseman, McMahon is hitting just .210/.270/.369 with nine home runs and a 30.8% strikeout rate.
Right-handed pitcher Tyler Kinley to the Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves were one of the Rockies’ most common trade partners during the Bill Schmidt era, and the two teams once again made a deal last season when right-handed reliever Tyler Kinley was sent in exchange for right-handed pitcher Austin Smith.
Kinley was excellent for the Braves last season. In 24 appearances and 25 innings he posted a 0.72 ERA with 22 strikeouts and six walks. He gave up just two earned runs to finish the season, one of which came off a solo home run.
This season, Kinley has been much more down to earth. Although he missed time with an elbow injury, Kinley has made 44 relief appearances in Atlanta with a 4.23 ERA and 38 strikeouts over 38.1 innings.
Austin Smith spent the remainder of the 2025 season with the Double-A Hartford Yard Goats an posted a 1.69 ERA over his final 15 relief appearances. He struggled during the 2025 Arizona Fall League with a 10.80 ERA in eight appearances and was re-assigned to Hartford for 2026.
As with the other pitching prospects the Rockies received during last year’s deadline, walks have been an issue for Austin Smith this season. He’s given up 31 free passes in 28 appearances and 35.2 innings. However, he has also struck out 38 batters and has a 3.53 ERA with only two home runs allowed.
Right-handed pitcher Jake Bird to the New York Yankees
The Rockies capped off the 2025 trade deadline by sending long time bullpen stalwart Jake Bird to the Bronx in exchange for two more prospects from the Yankees’ farm system.
Bird’s initial tenure with the Yankees was nothing short of a disaster. In three appearances he pitched just two total innings and gave up seven runs–six earned–with two home runs allowed before being optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He was left off the Yankees’ playoff roster.
His 2026 season has been less eye-wateringly bad, but Bird has continued to struggle for the Yankees. He’s bounced back and forth between Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and the big league squad, being optioned three times so far this season. When with the Yankees, he has posted a 5.93 ERA in 36 appearances with 31 strikeouts in 30.1 innings.
The main prize the Rockies got in return for Bird was second base prospect Roc Riggio (no. 14 PuRP). Although he got off to a slow start with Double-A Hartford this season, Riggio is now hitting .257/.370/.496 with 21 doubles, two triples, and 14 home runs. He’s also stolen 16 bases and leads the Yard Goats with 50 walks.
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The Rockies also received left-handed pitcher Ben Shields in the trade. Shields made five strong starts for the Double-A Hartford Yard Goats in 2025. Over five starts he posted a 2.33 ERA with 24 strikeouts in 19.1 innings. Shields was sent to the Arizona Fall League, but made just one incredibly difficult appearance. He gave up five earned runs on four hits and a walk while recording just one out. Shields was then shut down with a left shoulder injury that has kept him sidelined for the entire 2026 season thus far.
Conclusion
Last season was one of the Rockies’ most active trade deadlines in recent memory, but even then they only dealt three players and received five prospects in return. With the team now dedicated to rebuilding and a new front office in power, expectations are much, much higher.
Do you consider last year’s deadline successful? What would it take for you to consider this year’s deadline successful? Let us know in the comments.
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