Rockies may not totally know what they are getting in Tyler Freeman

Trades are usually made with the idea of improving a specific area on a team. That may be news for the Colorado Rockies.

On Saturday night, the Rockies acquired utility man Tyler Freeman from the Guardians, sending outfielder Nolan Jones back to Cleveland. As infielder Thairo Estrada will miss four to eight weeks due to a fractured right wrist, and the Rockies' outfield depth is questionable at best, Freeman figures to see plenty of action around the diamond.

There is one problem with that plan. The Rockies apparently had no idea what positions Freeman played. Freeman told MLB.com's Thomas Harding that the Rockies "just asked what positions I play, and I said I'm open to playing anywhere." 

Freeman has developed into a versatile defensive presence, slotting in at second, short, third and center field during his time in the majors. As long as he can be productive, Freeman should find himself in the lineup when Estrada returns as a super utility player, moving around the diamond to give the Rockies' starters a day off.

He will need to show that he is capable of performing at the major league level first. Freeman posted a .209/.305/.321 batting line in his 383 plate appearances with the Guardians last year, hitting seven homers and 14 doubles. 

Freeman provided hope that a breakout season may be on tap during spring training. He posted a .295/.404/.614 batting line in his 52 Cactus League plate appearances, hitting two homers and four doubles. While spring training performances have to be taken with a grain of salt, Freeman made more consistent contact and got on base. Both of those attributes made him attractive to the Rockies.