Almost a decade ago, Colorado Rockies starter Austin Gomber was selected in the fourth round of the 2014 MLB Draft by the St. Louis Cardinals. In February 2021, St. Louis sent the left-handed pitcher to Colorado in part of the Nolan Arenado trade. He’s spent the last four seasons with the Rockies, and he’s arguably having the best year of his career in 2024. The Cardinals are currently one game under .500 with a 33-34 record. They are just on the outside looking in of a National League Wild Card spot. St. Louis has improved their roster since last season, but the starting rotation has been the team’s weakest link. They could certainly trade for another starter before the trade deadline. There’s a possibility of a reunion between St. Louis and Gomber, for the right price of course.
Austin Gomber May Get Traded Back To Cardinals
Through his first seven seasons between the minors and the majors with the Cardinals, Gomber pitched in 674 innings with an ERA of 3.07. He pitched more than 100 innings in the majors between 2018 and 2020. After being sent to Colorado, the left-handed starter struggled. Through his first three seasons with the Rockies, he posted a harsh ERA of 5.22. With one year of arbitration eligibility before he hits free agency, Gomber’s game has developed. He now has become a trade asset once again, one that the Cardinals are certainly looking to bring back to the team.
In 13 starts this season, the Rockies starter has logged a 1-4 record. In 69 2/3 innings pitched, he’s recorded a 4.26 ERA with 49 strikeouts. He has a 49-22 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Gomber has put up his career-high of nine wins during the 2021 and 2023 seasons. During the month of May, the left-hander recorded three quality starts but did not obtain the win. On Wednesday, Gomber had his worst start of the season. He allowed eight runs on 11 hits during a 17-9 loss to the Minnesota Twins.
Wednesday Nugget Cleanup
Austin Gomber: 8 ER allowed in 3 IP last night, the 2nd time this season a Rockies pitcher has allowed 8+ ER in 3 or fewer IP in a road start. That’s the first time since 2004 that the Rockies have had multiple such road starts in the same season,…
— nugget chef (@jayhaykid) June 13, 2024
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Why the Rockies Should Make This Trade
The Rockies are currently 24-44. They sit 9 1/2 games behind the fourth-place Arizona Diamondbacks in the NL West division. While this team is certainly not ready to experience postseason baseball, their goal has been to improve upon their atrocious record from last season. This year’s team has dealt with numerous injuries. With these injuries, Colorado has had to promote some of their younger prospects to the major league level. Most of these players promoted so far have primarily played on the offensive side of the game. If the Rockies starter gets traded, this opens up a spot in Colorado’s rotation. Perhaps this spot will go to another young prospect, as this team looks to build for the future.
The Cardinals have been at a standstill for the past few seasons. They’ve been determined to finally head back to the top and claim that first-place spot in the NL Central. With St. Louis being a piece or two away from a Wild Card spot, the Cardinals should pull the trigger on this trade. A trade between these two teams may be inevitable, and it may be time to see the Rockies starter go back to the team he was originally drafted to.
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