The Rockies swung a pair of deals to add a couple options at first base yesterday, picking up Edouard Julien (and reliever Pierson Ohl) from the Twins in exchange for minor league pitcher Jace Kaminska and sending righty Angel Chivilli to the Yankees in exchange for first base prospect T.J. Rumfield. Both Julien and Rumfield could factor into the Rockies’ big league plans at first base, but new president of baseball operations Paul DePodesta indicated following that pair of trades that he’s still open to bringing in a first baseman (link via Manny Randhawa of MLB.com).
“I think really what we’re trying to do is to create really healthy competition on our roster,” said DePodesta. “Most of the players we have acquired do have a good amount of versatility.”
The 26-year-old Julien’s glovework at second base has been generally panned, and he hasn’t handled himself all that well at first base from a defensive standpoint, either. Still, DePodesta listed him as an option at both positions, noting that the Rockies are intrigued by Julien’s minor league track record and terrific rookie season.
Back in 2023, Julien indeed looked like a potential fixture in the Twins’ lineup. A top-100 prospect prior to his big league debut, he burst onto the MLB scene with a .263/.381/.459 slash (134 wRC+) and ripped 16 home runs in 408 plate appearances as a rookie. His 31.4% strikeout rate was clearly too high, but Julien also walked in nearly 16% of his plate appearances. Throughout his minor league tenure, he was hailed as something of an all-bat prospect who’d post huge OBP numbers with above-average power but lacked a clear defensive home.
The lack of a defensive home has proven true, but Julien’s bat has wilted over the past two seasons. He’s taken 509 MLB plate appearances since Opening Day 2024 and managed only a .208/.299/.324 batting line (79 wRC+). His walk rate has dipped to a still-strong 10.8%, while his strikeout rate has nominally climbed to 32%.
Julien, who’ll turn 27 in April, will be on the roster one way or another, given the fact that he’s out of minor league options. That could be at first base, second base or designated hitter. It’ll surely depend on who the opposing starter is, too, given that the lefty-swinging Canadian has hit just .209/.278/.313 in the 126 plate appearances he’s been afforded versus southpaws at the big league level.
Rumfield, too, could factor in at first base but isn’t a lock to do so from the jump — particularly not with Julien now in the fold. Rumfield is a 25-year-old who slashed .285/.378/.447 in Triple-A this past season and .292/.365/.461 there a season prior. He doesn’t have much left to prove in the minors, but the Rockies aren’t going to simply hand him the first base job, either. He’ll likely need to earn a spot with a solid showing this spring.
Even if Rumfield plays his way onto the roster, bringing in a veteran first baseman makes some sense. If the Rockies were truly confident that he’s ready for an immediate MLB look, they coudl’ve selected him in last month’s Rule 5 Draft. Rumfield was eligible for selection but not taken. Acquiring him via trade rather than the Rule 5 creates a path to give Rumfield some further minor league time.
There ought to be plenty of first base and designated hitter at-bats available in Colorado. Someone like Luis Arraez, Nathaniel Lowe or Rhys Hoskins would add some competition and a potential deadline chip, depending on how said veteran performs over the season’s first few months. A veteran signing would probably cut into playing time for players like Troy Johnston and Blaine Crim, but they’re both 28-year-olds with less than a year of big league service and fairly marginal Triple-A track records. There shouldn’t be any financial worries standing in the way of a more veteran addition; the Rockies’ projected $110MM Opening Day payroll (via RosterResource) would be their lowest since 2021 and second-lowest since 2015.
Does anyone think that crim will get good playing time. He was on paced for 40hrs this year.
Rock
FGDC projects him for a 97 wRC+, with 6 HR and 0.2 WAR in 189 PA.
fangraphs.com/depthcharts.aspx?position=ALL&t…
He’s, unfortunately, one of their better hitters.
Crim had a nice little spurt of 5 HR is 54 AB’s with the Rockies when he was called up. I don’t agree that he would hit anywhere close to 40 HR throughout a season though. I really don’t think he’s in the Rockies plans for 2026.
He strikes out at a 37-40% rate. Without comparable walk rates in the minors, he won’t find success once pitchers get him to whiff.
He walked 70 times last year. Along with a reasonable 20-25% strikeout rate in the minors.
TM
“He strikes out at a 37-40% rate.”
No. He STRUCK OUT 38% of the time in a small sample of 74 PA’s in his first taste of the majors.
He’s had very reasonable, as Rockhen said, K rates in the minors.
I heard Greg Bird is available again?
Remember when Ryan Howard signed a Minor League Deal with the Rockies after his Phillies contract was up?
Yeah man that was awesome.
Yeah. But he absolutely stunk it up in Albuquerque, one of the most hitter friendly environments in the minors. I think he went to the Braves after the Rox released him.
He was already cooked by the of his contract with the Phillies. No surprise he struggled in the minors afterwards.
Poster child for what a torn Achilles can do to a professional athlete. it’s hard to return from.
People often forget that his extension with the Phillies began in 2012 right after his devastating injury to end the 2011 season (although Howard was already regressing).
Amaro helped build a championship club with Gillick in 2008, but he really wanted to keep the same core around until they were all in their late 30s. I worry the Phillies will do the same with the 2022 Squad (minus Hoskins of course).
Eat fresh
Rhy Hoskins ought to be signable for a one year deal for $5 million plus incentives worth a few more million. Mr. LaForge, make it so.
I like that signing for the Rockies, although I’m praying Kris Bryant can somehow play 1B and revive his career.
You are an optimist
Not really, just have hope. Something Rockies fans have in short supply.
I would enjoy this signing as well. I think Hoskins is the best fit and is the most likely to put up a good/really good season by playing at Coors.
Larry Walker is getting a statue
not relevant to this post but probably more exciting
Todd Helton is too.
Those two were awesome to watch when they were at their best in Colorado. Very well earned.
Colorado needs to set up a team HOF. They might be the only team without one. I know the other three expansion teams from the 90s have one. The Rockies have always taken care of their guys, it is time to start honoring them appropriately.
Another couple guys that were great for the Rockies were Vinny Castilla and the Big Cat, Andres Galarraga.
Sabermetrics doesn’t like him, but Dante Bichette is my all time favorite Rockies player and was a whole lot better than WAR gives him credit for. Defense knocks him, but not even Garry Maddox in his prime could play could play the Coors Field outfield in the 90s. You had to play deep, so all the balls that the computer believes should be caught ended up falling in as singles. And it counted against the OF as a ball that should be caught no matter where he was positioned.
Speaking of statues, it would be kind of fun to see Arreaz in COL flicking singles into that huge outfield.
Rowdy Tellez for 1st base?
moar statues…..
Several would turn into doubles. Short singles in Coors often do because outfielders play so deep it takes a while to get to the ball. That is exactly why I believe the Rox should focus on guys like Arraez that can put the ball in play. With that vast field, many will fall in.
crise
I agree that he could excel in Coors. Not sure that he quite makes sense, though. They’d probably be better off giving those PA to Rumfeld and then Condon than to Arraez. One of those guys at least has a chance to figure something out and become a useful piece for Colorado. Arraez doesn’t. You can hope he puts up numbers and someone will trade for him, but he’s not brining back anything that’s a sure thing.
FWIW, basically nothing, in 53 career Coors field PA’s, Arraez has a .280 batting average and .280 BABIP. No, he’s never K’d in Coors. He also has just a 71 tOPS there (which means he’s hit 29% worse at Coors than he has in general).
All the rookies in ’23 thought they were the hottest stuff in the game. Their knees (and heads) have never been the same since pitchers broke out the sweeper in ’24.
Orioles have all kinds of 1st Basemen!!!!
I’m sure the Rockies would gladly take Coby Mayo off your hands. No one wants Mountcastle.
Lord Mountcastle can be pretty good and he is good defensively
If the O’s traded Mayo to the Rockies
1.. Brenton Doyle is a given,.. but I have no idea as who their top prospects are or what would be a fair trade!
You wouldn’t need to know who the Rockies top prospects were because the Orioles would be the ones adding a prospect to a Mayo for Doyle swap. Maybe two prospects. Because Doyle had a down year in 2025, but Mayo has not yet had an up year.
Now if we are talking Jackson Holliday, then we might have something.
Dom Smith puts the ball in play regularly. He wouldn’t cost much at all
I’m creating an AD on MLBTR for Christian Walker. I hope I don’t get banned for advertising Walker.
Rox, Is Walker Any Interest To You?
1. He hits your divison rivals like crazy
2. He has a strong enough glove
3. He doesn’t cost much in trade
4. We’ll cover part of his contract
5. He almost hit 30 homers and 90 RBI. He could do that at Coors
Is that enough to interest you?
Why trade for Walker if Goldschmidt is available? It’s not like goldy will cost more than Walker after the Astros pay it down
We could make it into a kind of Backpage for unappreciated players. Here’s more:
Trevor Larnach: hits righties OK, plays an average LF defense, enjoys long walks on the beach.
Austin Martin has lovely hair, can play multiple positions and hit very well in the second half last year.
Walker would absolutely interest the Rockies, if the Astros pay $30 million of the remaining $40 million he’s owed
I’d rather keep him.
I’d love to have Christian Walker sinply because that means the Rockies do not have to FACE him anymore. He has more homers against Colorado than any other active player. And not just at Coors. He kills them on the road too.
Red Sox have an extra 1B in Tristan Casas and his bat would definitely play up in Coors Field. Im just not sure that the Rockies have anything the Red Sox need.
The Rockies don’t even have anything the Rockies need…
Rockies should make a trade with Milwaukee for Tyler Black, Blake Perkins and Carlos Rodriguez
Arraez would hit 30 bombs at Coors Canaveral. Take him down to the DePo!
Wilmer Flores would get you 20 homers.
2013 was Todd Helton’s last season as the Rockies 1st baseman. At that time they had no one ready in the minors to take his place. That’s when player development or the lack of it, really became evident in my eyes. Jose Abreu was a FA in 2014 and I was disappointed they didn’t jump at acquiring him. . There have been a couple of decent fill in’s for a season or two but this position is an anchor in the infield and the Rockies have failed to secure it. Hopefully the new FO will solve this problem and maybe it’s Condon when his time comes?
In fairness, the Rockies were the runner up to get Abreu. I think their offer was 6/60 which the White Sox beat. They had a good replacement for Helton in Justin Morneau except he just wasn’t a long term replacement possibility. They haven’t had a “star” at first, but Mark Reynolds had moments and CJ Cron was an All Star. And we cannot forget that Todd Helton wasn’t really Todd Helton for the last 5-6 years of his career either.
Ty France would be a good fit. Gold Glove defence and has some pop that could work at Coors. Outfielders who can run down the ball and strong infield defence would be a good place to build from
Mr. DePosta, I have Paul Goldshmidt’s agent on line one.
1.025 OPS @ Coors Field over 372 PA’s. .334/.416/.606 with 18 homers. He showed a willingness to be a mentor to Ben Rice. He might be willing to be the same for Rumsfeld.
Rumsfeld is not the long term solution at first, Charlie Condon is. Rumsfeld is just a lotto ticket that is there to possibly fill space until Condon gets his shot. I’d be shocked if he gets more than 200 ABs career with Colorado.
@@hiflew
All due…no way you can really say that. This kid has traveled the same road as Ben Rice. All they each did was quietly hit homers and drew walks at every level. Never appeared on anyone’s top 100 lists and, in the case of Rice, shocked everyone. TJ has consistently kept his walk rate at +10% and his K rate -20% and hit homers. If he has a great ST and earns the job and performs then I’m sure they’ll find a way to get him AB. Condon is obviously a prospect they feel strong about but the fact he’s got a K rate of +25 below AAA level and the fact that didn’t bother to mention him in the post, he might be more of a mid-season or 2027 option. Besides, my comment was more about them signing Paul Goldshmidt on a 1 year deal. If he rakes then he could be a trade chip for them. Either way…TJ! TJ! TJ!
If they go the FA route Lowe would be a nice bounceback option
I wouldn’t hate that. Arraez is my first choice, but if Lowe is the guy, I could live with it. I actually wouldn’t mind Hoskins either. I am simply tired of waiver wire fodder at first base.
Fangraphs advocated for Arraez, seeing Coors Field as uniquely beneficial to his loopers and liners approach. That would be fun to see.
I always enjoyed watching him hit there when he was with SD. I have wanted him in Colorado for several years now.
They probably looking at one-year deals for bats they could potentially flip at the deadline for prospects. They should be though looking at teams trying to do salary dumps. If the Red Sox for example wanted to clear Yoshida’s salary, the Rockies should be all over that if Boston attached a decent prospect.
Rockies acquire:
– Johan Rojas CF
– Keaton Anthony 1B (#14)
– Felix Reyes 3B/1B (#30)
– Andrew Walling LHP (#45)
Phillies acquire:
– Brenton Doyle CF
– Luis Peralta LHP
– Benny Montgomery LF (#40)
4 players 24–25 years old that could get a shot in Colorado for 2 useful pieces and a failed local (PA) prospect. Anthony & Reyes can rake, why not Rockies?
Not enough for Doyle. There is no point at all in selling low on him when he has 4 years of control remaining. I wouldn’t mind giving up Zac Veen, Peralta, and Montgomery though. Maybe the Phils can bring Veen’s potential out.
Nick Castellanos spotted taking ground balls.
Think they should trade Nick to the Astros for Lance McCullers, Red Sox for Jordan Hicks or Dodgers for Tanner Scott. Equal value, salaries are close – Phillies even shave $3M-$5M in ‘26!to trade for a Reid Detmers, Jake Meyers or Doyle. Trade a package of 9-40 prospects for a guy that would fit well on the team. Astros and Angels have barren farm systems, could see them dealing Detmers and converted RP and the Phillies turning him into a better Matt Strahm. Feels like they missed out on some opportunities this winter, but it’s not too late to add an OF’er and RP.
Wouldn’t say it’s a lock that Casty is gone by spring training, he may play some 1B vs. LHP on occasion, could play LF vs. LHP while filling in at RF vs. certain RHP’s. There’s room on the roster to do some last minute tinkering.
If I am Colorado, I’d take Castellanos if Philly would take back Antonio Senzatela. It would open up a bullpen spot for a youngster like Jaden Hill or Luis Peralta and Nick still has a good bat. I’d be OK with a 4 man rotation of Beck/Moniak/McCarthy/Castellanos as corner OFs and DH. And Castellanos has played infield before, so maybe he could take first.
As Casey Stengel once said..” If you have Five Firstbasemen.. you have.. No.. Firstbasemen…”
Go get Ryan ‘Rocky’ Mountcastle
Shouldn’t the Rockies be focused on getting more pitching? I know they signed Valente Bellozo to be their ace, but him alone won’t make the cut.
Bring a guy like John Means or Montgomery just to flip him for prospects at the deadline.
Another poorly written article by Adams. There should be no comma before “either” or “too.” Then there’s this disaster:
“Rumfield, too, could factor in at first base but isn’t a lock to do so from the jump — particularly not with Julien now in the fold.”
You can’t just use “too” indiscriminately in place of “also.” Either use “too” after “first base” or say “Rumfeld could also factor in…”