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HOIST THE SAILS.
The rumored Corey Dickerson trade is happening!
Sources: #Rays on verge of trade with #Rockies.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 28, 2016
Sources: #Rays getting Dickerson. Expected to send multiple pitchers to #Rockies. Others possibly involved.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 28, 2016
Earlier today we speculated that the Rockies might be interested in Erasmo Ramirez, who had a renaissance year with the Rays as their most dependable starter in the second half of 2015.
The Rockies had expressed interest in former-closer Jake McGee, who lost his role through injury in 2015. The Rays were said to have both of their top relief pitchers on the trade block this off-season.
Previous analysis: What are the reasons for trading Jake McGee?
With only two years of control remaining at expensive rates and with multiple injuries in 2015, McGee was a likely candidate to be dealt for top-value this off-season, and now he seems to be on his way.
#Rays trading Jake McGee to #Rockies for Dickerson. Minor leaguers involved
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) January 28, 2016
Colorado were bound to trade one of their four starting outfielders after signing Gerardo Parra, making their leverage likely less than it might have been earlier in the off-season.
Source: Deal is McGee and a minor-league pitcher to the #Rockies, Dickerson and a minor-league pitcher to the #Rays.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 28, 2016
The deal should be finalized shortly.
Update at 6:35 PM
Sources: Minor-league pitcher German Marquez heading from #Rays to #Rockies in trade.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 28, 2016
Marquez, a righty who turns 21 in February, was added to the 40-man roster this offseason and just named the organization's 17th-ranked prospect by the community. In 139 innings that included a playoff appearance with Class A-Advanced Charlotte in 2015, he owned a 3.56 ERA with a 17.5% strikeout rate and 4.9% walk rate.
According to a recent report from Baseball America, he works with a mid-to-low-90s fastball and a developing curveball and changeup.
Update at 8:00 PM
Full trade, per sources: Dickerson and minor-league 3B Kevin Padlo from #Rockies to #Rays for McGee and minor-league RHP German Marquez.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 29, 2016
The Rockies signed Padlo away from a commitment to San Diego in 2014, and he got his pro career off to a great start in the hitter-friendly Pioneer League. He batted .300 with a .421 on-base percentage and .594 slugging percentage in 48 games, hitting eight home runs with a 19.2% strikeout rate and 15.7% walk rate. For his efforts, BA ranked him as the 14th-best prospect in the Rockies organization and 11th in the Pioneer League.
He wasn't off to quite the same start in 2015. After struggling with a .550 OPS to begin the season with Asheville in the South Atlantic League, he went back to short-season ball, this time with Boise in the Northwest League. He began hitting like himself again with a .294/.404/.502 line, a 20.1% strikeout rate and 14.6% walk rate.
In BA's offseason scouting report prior to 2015, it noted the 19 year old had good power and strike-zone judgment. He has the arm and hands to stick at third base, but at a listed 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, he'll have to maintain his conditioning.