The Nolan Arenado trade four years on still tilts toward St. Louis. Arenado’s steady production and elite defense yielded 17.9 WAR across five seasons, with multiple All-Star honors and Gold Gloves, while Colorado’s five-player return dissolved entirely as the Rockies released the last piece, Austin Gomber. Now, four years later, the Cardinals look like clear winners, the Rockies have nothing left from the haul, and Arenado remains a cornerstone for STL—an oft-cited example of a franchise-altering move.

USA Today’s Nightengale notes Arenado’s peak value outshines the prospect bounty, especially when compared to Soto’s impact in San Diego. The trade’s legacy reinforces how a single mega-star can redefine a franchise’s competitive window, while the Rockies’ gamble didn’t yield a sustainable rebuild. For fantasy devotees, Arenado’s enduring value in STL remains a dependable, high-floor staple, even as the league evolves.

Pittsburgh rode two veteran power bursts and a wave of young arms to a 5-1 win over Colorado. Andrew McCutchen started the scoring with a two-run homer, followed by Jared Triolo’s two-run shot to push the lead to four. Mike Burrows delivered four shutout innings while Carmen Mlodzinski, Kyle Nicolas and Colin Holderman held the Rockies scoreless through eight. Brenton Doyle spoiled the shutout with a ninth-inning solo blast for Colorado.

Fantasy takeaway: McCutchen’s hot stretch should keep him in the middle of the Pirates’ RBI opportunities, Triolo’s power adds a speculative DFS angle, and Burrows’ early effectiveness makes Pirates’ rotation depth worth monitoring. Rockies’ late-resistance aside, Pittsburgh showed late-season potential with a bullpen surge and timely offense.

Denver hosts a key late-season tilt as the Dodgers visit the Rockies at Coors Field. Emmet Sheehan will face Austin Gomber in a pitching duel that could swing fantasy rosters and betting slips alike. Los Angeles owns the better overall record (71-53) but is venturing into the altitude with a lineup that must stay disciplined against Colorado’s ballpark. The Rockies have momentum on their side, riding a four-game streak and tying a season-best 6-1 stretch over seven games, while Warming Bernabel delivered a dramatic bottom-of-the-ninth winner against LA in a recent showdown that underscored Colorado’s late-inning bite.

Odds skew toward the Dodgers, but the Rockies’ recent surge makes a case for a balanced approach: LA on the moneyline, Colorado to cover the +1.5, and a lean to the under 11 runs given Coors Field dynamics and two shaky starters. NBC Sports’ model leans into a Dodgers win but flags plenty of volatility given the ballpark and matchup quirks. Fantasy managers should monitor the bullpen usage and weather forecasts for a clearer read on who benefits most from the late-inning grind.

The clash features a notable pitcher-vs-batter edge at altitude, while Bernabel’s late heroics add a narrative lift for Rockies backers. This game feels like a true test of how far LA’s road resilience travels in a hitter-friendly environment, and whether Colorado can sustain its current run of form against a potent opponent. The betting market and projection tools suggest a tight, high-scoring environment, with a slight coaching tilt toward Dodgers’ bullpen management in the late innings.

Fantasy managers should weigh streaming options carefully: Emmet Sheehan’s solid season-to-date versus Coors field volatility, and Gomber’s rough-in-2025 numbers may temper upside for Rockies bats. Bernabel remains a sleeper if he earns extra at-bats or shares at-bats with Colorado’s shifting lineup, while Dodgers stacks should be considered with caution in this environment.

The Colorado Rockies are facing a challenging 2025 season, currently holding a dismal 27-78 record. Amid this turmoil, speculation is mounting regarding potential trades involving key pitchers Kyle Freeland and Austin Gomber. Insiders report that both players are on the radar of several teams, though neither has excelled this season.

Freeland, with a 2-10 record and a 5.24 ERA through 19 starts, carries a contract worth $5 million for the rest of 2025 and $16 million for the following season. Gomber has a lesser financial commitment of around $2 million this year before hitting free agency. The Rockies, in search of solutions to improve their roster, may consider parting with these left-handers despite their roles in the bullpen. As the trade deadline approaches, expect the Rockies to weigh the benefits of trading these pitchers against their potential to contribute as they aim for a turnaround next season.