A Question of Philosophy- Would you...

[Talkin' Baseball]

The basic question is this- would you trade the player who is clearly our best hitter for someone who would instantly become our best pitcher? I'm still undecided.

Here is the question: Would you trade Ivan Herrera, Nolan Gorman, Ixan Henderson, and Chase Davis for Chase Dollander of the Rockies?

Chase Dollander was chosen in the first round at #9 in 2023 out of Tennessee. He just got introduced to Coors field this year and still has 5 years of team control left. He is a right hander with a four-seam fastball average velocity of 97.9, which is in the 94th percentile. His overall line was bad in 2025. It would seem like maybe they wouldn't trade him, and maybe they won't, but last season while the Rockies pitching was finishing 30th in the majors, their hitting was finishing 29th. How do you play half of your games at Coors Field and finish 29th in hitting! That can't happen. Colorado will NEVER be successful finishing in the bottom half of the majors in hitting no matter who they send to the mound. They have to fix the hitting.

Here's an interesting thought- could an acquisition like this work out like the trade for Daryl Kile in 2000? Check this out:
Chase Dollander 2025 overall
GS 21 W 2 L 12 ERA 6.52 IP 98 K 82 K/9 7.5 WHIP 1.551
Chase Dollander Home
GS 11 W 2 L 6 ERA 9.98 IP 46 K 35 K/9 6.8 WHIP 1.978
Chase Dollander Away
GS 10 W 0 L 6 ERA 3.46 IP 52 K 35 K/9 8.1 WHIP 1.173

Now compare Kile's last year in Colorado to Dollander's season totals
GS 32 W 6 L 13 ERA 6.61 IP 190.2 K 116 K/9 5.5 WHIP 1.752

Now compare Kile's first season in St. Louis with Dollander's road totals, especially the ERA and WHIP
GS 34 W 20 L 9 ERA 3.91 IP 232.1 K 192 K/9 7.4 WHIP 1.175

Kile had been successful previously in Houston, but Coors Field does something to pitchers.

Would you swap our best hitter to see what Dollander would do outside of Colorado? Would it be easier in the next 2-3 seasons to develop, trade for, or sign a hitter to approximate what Herrera does, or would it be easier to develop, trade for, or sign whatever Dollander could be in St Louis? Herrera and Gorman would love hitting there. Davis would be great patroling their huge CF.

[cardstatman]

Not me. I keep Herrera.

Starting Pitchers just don't dominate the game like they once did. They pitch 2/3 a game every fifth game, at the very most.

Teams are better off with 13 good pitchers rather than 3 great ones and 5 good ones, and 5 bad ones.

You actually need 16 to 18 good pitchers since 3 to 5 are on the IL most of the time.

Over 6 innings, a great starting pitcher with a 3.00 ERA gives up 2 runs while a below average pitcher with a 4.50 ERA gives up 3 runs. Then your team has to hold on to a one run lead for 3 more innings.

[JuanAgosto]

Yes. I believe pitching is harder to acquire.

[Jatalk]

The basic question is this- would you trade the player who is clearly our best hitter for someone who would instantly become our best pitcher? I'm still undecided.

Here is the question: Would you trade Ivan Herrera, Nolan Gorman, Ixan Henderson, and Chase Davis for Chase Dollander of the Rockies?

Chase Dollander was chosen in the first round at #9 in 2023 out of Tennessee. He just got introduced to Coors field this year and still has 5 years of team control left. He is a right hander with a four-seam fastball average velocity of 97.9, which is in the 94th percentile. His overall line was bad in 2025. It would seem like maybe they wouldn't trade him, and maybe they won't, but last season while the Rockies pitching was finishing 30th in the majors, their hitting was finishing 29th. How do you play half of your games at Coors Field and finish 29th in hitting! That can't happen. Colorado will NEVER be successful finishing in the bottom half of the majors in hitting no matter who they send to the mound. They have to fix the hitting.

Here's an interesting thought- could an acquisition like this work out like the trade for Daryl Kile in 2000? Check this out:
Chase Dollander 2025 overall
GS 21 W 2 L 12 ERA 6.52 IP 98 K 82 K/9 7.5 WHIP 1.551
Chase Dollander Home
GS 11 W 2 L 6 ERA 9.98 IP 46 K 35 K/9 6.8 WHIP 1.978
Chase Dollander Away
GS 10 W 0 L 6 ERA 3.46 IP 52 K 35 K/9 8.1 WHIP 1.173

Now compare Kile's last year in Colorado to Dollander's season totals
GS 32 W 6 L 13 ERA 6.61 IP 190.2 K 116 K/9 5.5 WHIP 1.752

Now compare Kile's first season in St. Louis with Dollander's road totals, especially the ERA and WHIP
GS 34 W 20 L 9 ERA 3.91 IP 232.1 K 192 K/9 7.4 WHIP 1.175

Kile had been successful previously in Houston, but Coors Field does something to pitchers.

Would you swap our best hitter to see what Dollander would do outside of Colorado? Would it be easier in the next 2-3 seasons to develop, trade for, or sign a hitter to approximate what Herrera does, or would it be easier to develop, trade for, or sign whatever Dollander could be in St Louis? Herrera and Gorman would love hitting there. Davis would be great patroling their huge CF.

Herrera would be on my trade list for any player that improves team. I would rather focus on outfield rather than pitching. I prefer making moves for offense and defense in outfield.

Gorman I would trade just to dump him.

Davis not sure. I would have to ponder that.

[OldRed]

The basic question is this- would you trade the player who is clearly our best hitter for someone who would instantly become our best pitcher? I'm still undecided.

Here is the question: Would you trade Ivan Herrera, Nolan Gorman, Ixan Henderson, and Chase Davis for Chase Dollander of the Rockies?

Chase Dollander was chosen in the first round at #9 in 2023 out of Tennessee. He just got introduced to Coors field this year and still has 5 years of team control left. He is a right hander with a four-seam fastball average velocity of 97.9, which is in the 94th percentile. His overall line was bad in 2025. It would seem like maybe they wouldn't trade him, and maybe they won't, but last season while the Rockies pitching was finishing 30th in the majors, their hitting was finishing 29th. How do you play half of your games at Coors Field and finish 29th in hitting! That can't happen. Colorado will NEVER be successful finishing in the bottom half of the majors in hitting no matter who they send to the mound. They have to fix the hitting.

Here's an interesting thought- could an acquisition like this work out like the trade for Daryl Kile in 2000? Check this out:
Chase Dollander 2025 overall
GS 21 W 2 L 12 ERA 6.52 IP 98 K 82 K/9 7.5 WHIP 1.551
Chase Dollander Home
GS 11 W 2 L 6 ERA 9.98 IP 46 K 35 K/9 6.8 WHIP 1.978
Chase Dollander Away
GS 10 W 0 L 6 ERA 3.46 IP 52 K 35 K/9 8.1 WHIP 1.173

Now compare Kile's last year in Colorado to Dollander's season totals
GS 32 W 6 L 13 ERA 6.61 IP 190.2 K 116 K/9 5.5 WHIP 1.752

Now compare Kile's first season in St. Louis with Dollander's road totals, especially the ERA and WHIP
GS 34 W 20 L 9 ERA 3.91 IP 232.1 K 192 K/9 7.4 WHIP 1.175

Kile had been successful previously in Houston, but Coors Field does something to pitchers.

Would you swap our best hitter to see what Dollander would do outside of Colorado? Would it be easier in the next 2-3 seasons to develop, trade for, or sign a hitter to approximate what Herrera does, or would it be easier to develop, trade for, or sign whatever Dollander could be in St Louis? Herrera and Gorman would love hitting there. Davis would be great patroling their huge CF.

Herrera would be on my trade list for any player that improves team. I would rather focus on outfield rather than pitching. I prefer making moves for offense and defense in outfield.

Gorman I would trade just to dump him.

Davis not sure. I would have to ponder that.

Pitching is always more valuable than offense.

[ecleme22]

What’s philosophical about this? Honest question.

[rockondlouie]

NO!

I loathe trading an everyday star hitter for a starting pitcher.

Why?

The everyday great hitter can (potentially) affect 162 games.

The starting pitcher can affect 30+.

Finally

Starting pitchers seem to almost always get hurt, the injury risk is to great to deal away a great hitter for one.

(But I'd trade Norman any day, he's NOT a great hitter)


JMO

[Talkin' Baseball]

What’s philosophical about this? Honest question.

What is the priority when constructing a roster and is one area easier to fill than another.

[ScotchMIrish]

The basic question is this- would you trade the player who is clearly our best hitter for someone who would instantly become our best pitcher? I'm still undecided.

Here is the question: Would you trade Ivan Herrera, Nolan Gorman, Ixan Henderson, and Chase Davis for Chase Dollander of the Rockies?

Chase Dollander was chosen in the first round at #9 in 2023 out of Tennessee. He just got introduced to Coors field this year and still has 5 years of team control left. He is a right hander with a four-seam fastball average velocity of 97.9, which is in the 94th percentile. His overall line was bad in 2025. It would seem like maybe they wouldn't trade him, and maybe they won't, but last season while the Rockies pitching was finishing 30th in the majors, their hitting was finishing 29th. How do you play half of your games at Coors Field and finish 29th in hitting! That can't happen. Colorado will NEVER be successful finishing in the bottom half of the majors in hitting no matter who they send to the mound. They have to fix the hitting.

Here's an interesting thought- could an acquisition like this work out like the trade for Daryl Kile in 2000? Check this out:
Chase Dollander 2025 overall
GS 21 W 2 L 12 ERA 6.52 IP 98 K 82 K/9 7.5 WHIP 1.551
Chase Dollander Home
GS 11 W 2 L 6 ERA 9.98 IP 46 K 35 K/9 6.8 WHIP 1.978
Chase Dollander Away
GS 10 W 0 L 6 ERA 3.46 IP 52 K 35 K/9 8.1 WHIP 1.173

Now compare Kile's last year in Colorado to Dollander's season totals
GS 32 W 6 L 13 ERA 6.61 IP 190.2 K 116 K/9 5.5 WHIP 1.752

Now compare Kile's first season in St. Louis with Dollander's road totals, especially the ERA and WHIP
GS 34 W 20 L 9 ERA 3.91 IP 232.1 K 192 K/9 7.4 WHIP 1.175

Kile had been successful previously in Houston, but Coors Field does something to pitchers.

Would you swap our best hitter to see what Dollander would do outside of Colorado? Would it be easier in the next 2-3 seasons to develop, trade for, or sign a hitter to approximate what Herrera does, or would it be easier to develop, trade for, or sign whatever Dollander could be in St Louis? Herrera and Gorman would love hitting there. Davis would be great patroling their huge CF.

I would be tempted. Away from Coors 37 hits in 52 innings pitched. I would think Hererra alone would get that deal done.

[ilcubuffs]

While I agree with Roc on value of players who can potentially play 162 games, I do not agree that Herrera fits that profile. Return to catching is fantasy.

It should be very skeptical including Henderson and Davis. Rocs still suffering from Bryant fiasco, not sure they would accept Gorman.

[45s]

No…

While I agree that acquiring pitching is hugely important…….every pitcher is always one pitch away from the surgeon….

a good hitter is more likely to contribute everyday…

That’s why it’s so important for a club to develop their own pitch and not raid their own roster…

(a side observation….I don’t know how Gorman made your list of good hitters)

[Talkin' Baseball]

No…

While I agree that acquiring pitching is hugely important…….every pitcher is always one pitch away from the surgeon….

a good hitter is more likely to contribute everyday…

That’s why it’s so important for a club to develop their own pitch and not raid their own roster…

(a side observation….I don’t know how Gorman made your list of good hitters)

Herrera is the good hitter I was referencing.

[ecleme22]

What’s philosophical about this? Honest question.

What is the priority when constructing a roster and is one area easier to fill than another.

Eh, I wouldn't do it this early in the rebuild. It's too hard to tell what we will actually need. Maybe Herrera is something we need.

[Talkin' Baseball]

What’s philosophical about this? Honest question.

What is the priority when constructing a roster and is one area easier to fill than another.

Eh, I wouldn't do it this early in the rebuild. It's too hard to tell what we will actually need. Maybe Herrera is something we need.

That's fair. I'm not pushing a point of view. I am interested in the responses to the question. I appreciate your response.

[Jatalk]

The basic question is this- would you trade the player who is clearly our best hitter for someone who would instantly become our best pitcher? I'm still undecided.

Here is the question: Would you trade Ivan Herrera, Nolan Gorman, Ixan Henderson, and Chase Davis for Chase Dollander of the Rockies?

Chase Dollander was chosen in the first round at #9 in 2023 out of Tennessee. He just got introduced to Coors field this year and still has 5 years of team control left. He is a right hander with a four-seam fastball average velocity of 97.9, which is in the 94th percentile. His overall line was bad in 2025. It would seem like maybe they wouldn't trade him, and maybe they won't, but last season while the Rockies pitching was finishing 30th in the majors, their hitting was finishing 29th. How do you play half of your games at Coors Field and finish 29th in hitting! That can't happen. Colorado will NEVER be successful finishing in the bottom half of the majors in hitting no matter who they send to the mound. They have to fix the hitting.

Here's an interesting thought- could an acquisition like this work out like the trade for Daryl Kile in 2000? Check this out:
Chase Dollander 2025 overall
GS 21 W 2 L 12 ERA 6.52 IP 98 K 82 K/9 7.5 WHIP 1.551
Chase Dollander Home
GS 11 W 2 L 6 ERA 9.98 IP 46 K 35 K/9 6.8 WHIP 1.978
Chase Dollander Away
GS 10 W 0 L 6 ERA 3.46 IP 52 K 35 K/9 8.1 WHIP 1.173

Now compare Kile's last year in Colorado to Dollander's season totals
GS 32 W 6 L 13 ERA 6.61 IP 190.2 K 116 K/9 5.5 WHIP 1.752

Now compare Kile's first season in St. Louis with Dollander's road totals, especially the ERA and WHIP
GS 34 W 20 L 9 ERA 3.91 IP 232.1 K 192 K/9 7.4 WHIP 1.175

Kile had been successful previously in Houston, but Coors Field does something to pitchers.

Would you swap our best hitter to see what Dollander would do outside of Colorado? Would it be easier in the next 2-3 seasons to develop, trade for, or sign a hitter to approximate what Herrera does, or would it be easier to develop, trade for, or sign whatever Dollander could be in St Louis? Herrera and Gorman would love hitting there. Davis would be great patroling their huge CF.

Herrera would be on my trade list for any player that improves team. I would rather focus on outfield rather than pitching. I prefer making moves for offense and defense in outfield.

Gorman I would trade just to dump him.

Davis not sure. I would have to ponder that.

Pitching is always more valuable than offense.

True that. But we have some young arms and no need to waste money or trade value this year on big SP. For my money I want a real outfielder with real ability and a bat.

[ScotchMIrish]

No…

While I agree that acquiring pitching is hugely important…….every pitcher is always one pitch away from the surgeon….

a good hitter is more likely to contribute everyday…

That’s why it’s so important for a club to develop their own pitch and not raid their own roster…

(a side observation….I don’t know how Gorman made your list of good hitters)

2006 staff Carpenter, Marquis, Suppan, Weaver, Reyes and Mulder. Closer Isringhausen.

Only "develop our own" was Reyes who won 5 games. The key is to have smart people in your organization who can correctly assess talent.