Rockies Trade for Diamondbacks’ Outfielder Jake McCarthy

McCarthy Brings Offensive Intrigue to Colorado

McCarthy had a down season last year. But in 2024, he finished with a career-high 1.7 WAR over 142 games. Slashing .285/.349/.400 with a .749 OPS and eight home runs and 56 RBI. He is also another needed base-stealing threat for Colorado, finishing with at least 23 stolen bases in each season from 2022-24. McCarthy would’ve led the Rockies in stolen bases in 2022-23 and finished only behind Doyle in 2024. He will have to prove he can stay healthy, finishing a season with over 100 games just once in his career (2024).

However, his 99th percentile sprint speed, per Statcast, makes him an intriguing offensive option in Colorado. He has never been a power threat, finishing with no more than eight home runs in a single season. However, he was excellent offensively in 2024, both in K% and Whiff%. Good things happen when you can consistently make contact at Coors Field. If he can play like he did in 2024, with his speed, it is not hard to envision McCarthy having an offensive season similar to Tyler Freeman‘s great debut season in Colorado last year.

Rockies Add to Crowded Outfield

The Rockies outfield was already crowded with a glut of young players with plenty of potential. The acquisition of McCarthy could very well mean another move is coming to free up some space. McCarthy has spent all five years of his career with the Diamondbacks, amassing a solid 4.3 WAR. In those five seasons, he has spent 115 games in center field. Veteran center fielder Brenton Doyle and the Rockies recently agreed to a one-year deal worth $3.1 million to avoid arbitration. Which is still a bargain for the star center fielder that had a down 2025 but has true five-tool potential and is elite defensively.

Will McCarthy’s arrival mark the end of Doyle’s tenure in Colorado? Doyle has been the subject of heavy interest league-wide this offseason, and the Rockies are still in need of help for their rotation. Doyle could net a significant package in return for Colorado if they decide to deal him. If they don’t, perhaps Mickey Moniak or Jordan Beck will get traded. No matter what happens, it is getting very cramped in the outfield room in Colorado. There are currently too many mouths to feed, and with all the needs the Rockies still have elsewhere, the club is almost certainly not done with moves concerning their outfield this offseason.