Scaling the Rocks: Goodman rumors still simmering on hot stove

DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 23: Hunter Goodman #15 of the Colorado Rockies looks on during the game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on Wednesday, September 23, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Casey Paul/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images Good morning, Purple Row!Here’s what’s going on with the Colorado Rockies and the rest of Major League Baseball.Rockies news & linksHot Stove rumors: Jazz, Goodman, Sato, Suzuki, Abrams | MLB.comBuilding on John Paul Morosi’s tweets on Wednesday, Hunter Goodman is now fully part of the trade rumor mill. He’s one of many in the catcher category, but definitely the one with the most value given his power at the plate and controllable contract through 2029. He’s one of many notable players whose names are being thrown around as possible trade pieces, including fellow catchers Shea Langeliers and World Series MVP William Contreras.Why the timing still may not be right for the Rockies to trade Hunter Goodman | YardBarkerAs soon as the rumors get you worried, Kevin Henry comes in to turn the burners off. Henry had an exclusive chat with Rockies GM Josh Byrnes and president of baseball operations Paul DePodesta. Henry paraphrased that Byrnes said, “any kind of extension for Goodman is on the back burner until the Rockies know what kind of financial implications lie ahead with the new Collective Bargaining Agreement.” DePodesta said that the Rockies will likely be more cautious in trading position players, while remaining open-minded. Henry also touches on the front office’s urgency to improve the starting rotation.Braves’ Tyler Freeman: Signs with Atlanta after back surgery | CBS SportsTyler Freeman will play for a new team in 2027 after signing a minor league deal with the Atlanta Braves. The utilityman with a knack for putting the ball in play only suited up for 79 games for the Rockies in 2026 due to a back injury that required surgery. The Rockies acquired Freeman in a trade for Nolan Jones prior to the 2025 season. After hitting .267/.339/.342 with a .681 OPS in 189 games over the last season with a combined -3.3 rWAR, Freeman opted for free agency after the 2026 season.Around MLBFirst-time MVP winners (both unanimous!) usher in new era of superstars | MLB.comFollowing the unanimous Cy Young voting for Jacob Misiorowski and Cam Schlittler, Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong and Houston Astros slugger DH Yordan Alvarez were no-doubters for NL and AL MVP, respectively. After his first All-Star season in 2025, PCA had the breakout season his projections always expected as he became the five-tool player to lead the Cubs to the postseason. He tied Kyle Schwarber for the National League home run crown with 45, while leading the league in slugging percentage (.570) and OPS (.942). He also stole 41 bases. Alvarez, following a DH MVP trail blazed by Shohei Ohtani, led the AL with his .316 batting average, .432 OBP, .601 slugging and 1.033 OPS and helped the Astros reach the postseason. He also hit 42 homers and drove in 106 RBIs.Braves sign reliever Evan Phillips to three-year, $35 million deal | Battery PowerThe reliever market is seeing some action. On Thursday, the Atlanta Braves signed former Los Angeles Dodger Evan Phillips. The Braves originally drafted Phillips in 2015. He was a solid arm in the Dodgers bullpen until injuries, including one that forced Tommy John surgery, struck in 2025 and caused him to miss large parts of the 2025 and 2026 seasons.As lockout looms, MLB agents set aside rivalries to unite against salary cap | The Athletic ($)Agents are teaming up to fight Rob Manfred & Co. This breaks down both sides’ arguments and the massive gulf between them. While informative, this doesn’t inspire much hope for avoiding a lockout on Dec. 1. With a possible delay to the season, a freeze on trades and signings and an uncertain future, the lockout threats can’t be good for the sport, for ticket sales and certainly not for fans. As much as agents are often portrayed as the bad guys, they make a compelling argument. Join the conversation!Sign up for a user account and get:Fewer adsCreate community postsComment on articles, community postsRec comments, community postsNew, improved notifications system!Download the SB Nation app on iOS or Android. Please keep in mind our Purple Row Community Guidelines when you’re commenting. Thanks!