How Rockies can increase Antonio Senzatela's trade value with one change

ASFN Admin · Wednesday at 9:22 AM

You must be registered for see images attach

How Rockies can increase Antonio Senzatela's trade value with one change originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Colorado Rockies are surely headed towards the 2026 MLB trade deadline as sellers. There is going to be interest in a few names on the roster, with Mickey Moniak one of the more intriguing names to watch.

But, pitcher Antonio Senzatela, in the final year of a five-year, $50.5 million deal, is having a breakout season as a reliever and is already drawing significant interest.

Senzatela is likely to go for a solid return, but there is a way for the Rockies to increase Senzatela's trade value even more. ESPN's Bradford Doolittle highlighted that giving the reliever a chance to pitch on back-to-back days could boost their return.

How Rockies can increase Antonio Senzatela's trade value

"Allowing him to close games is a nice showcase for trade suitors, if he executes," Doolittle writes. "But the Rockies have yet to use Senzatela in back-to-back games. Allowing contenders to see him bounce back quickly, a key trait for a high-leverage reliever, would only add to his allure."

If there were a player to strongly consider trading away from the Rockies roster this season, it would obviously be Senzatela.

After years of mediocre-at-best performances, with a 5.18 ERA since 2017 across 145 starts in 178 appearances, Senzatela has completely broken out with a 1.93 ERA in 19 relief appearances this season.

He has a 5-0 record, 1.8 bWAR, three saves, and 31 strikeouts across 37.1 innings pitched. While he might not be a traditional reliever, since he's a multi-inning option, there is likely to be a ton of interest in Senzatela this summer.

The Rockies would likely be able to get a quality return in a trade for Senzatela right now if they wanted to trade him. But there's a lot of meat left on the bone if they can showcase his ability to pitch on back-to-back days.

MORE: Cubs’ cost to trade for Tarik Skubal from Tigers revealed by ex-MLB GM

If he can show he can take on such a task, then MLB clubs with bullpen needs are going to look at Senzatela with a lot more interest than a typical reliever option.

He's pitching at a high level this season, with the ability to go multiple innings at a time with his prior experience as a starting pitcher. And if he can go on short rest and still perform well, his value would soar.

Senzatela is someone the Rockies might be able to land a very strong return for this summer, despite the right-handed veteran being a rental option whose prior career might be a red flag.

He's been that good this year. Add in the ability to pitch on back-to-back days, along with taking on high-leverage opportunities, and the Rockies righty might be one of, if not the most sought-after, relievers on the market by this year's trade deadline.

More MLB news:

How Rockies can increase Antonio Senzatela's trade value with one change

ASFN Admin

Administrator