In a division where trades between rivals are rare, the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies just pulled off a deal that could quietly reshape the outfield in Denver and the pitching depth in Arizona. Over the weekend, the D-backs sent outfielder Jake McCarthy to the Rockies in exchange for right-handed pitching prospect Josh Grosz – a move that says a lot about where both teams are heading in 2026.
Let’s start with Colorado. The Rockies have been stuck in the NL West basement since 2021, and the front office has finally hit the reset button.
Longtime execs Bill Schmidt and Zack Rosenthal stepped down earlier this offseason, paving the way for Paul DePodesta to take the reins. He wasted no time, bringing in veteran baseball mind Josh Byrnes as general manager.
It’s a new era at Coors Field – and while the Rockies are still operating with small-market constraints, there’s clearly a shift in how they’re approaching roster construction.
That brings us to McCarthy. The 28-year-old outfielder has been something of an enigma since debuting with Arizona in 2021.
He’s got elite speed – 85 stolen bases in 98 attempts – and the kind of defensive versatility teams covet. McCarthy can handle all three outfield spots and should be a strong fit in the vast outfield at Coors, where range is at a premium.
Offensively, his .705 OPS over five seasons doesn’t jump off the page, but he’s flashed enough to suggest he can be a valuable role player, especially in a lineup that could use more athleticism and on-base ability.
This move also makes logistical sense for Arizona. McCarthy was out of minor league options, and with the Diamondbacks looking to trim payroll, moving him now opened up some roster flexibility. It’s not a blockbuster by any means, but it’s a calculated trade that fits both teams’ current trajectories.
In return, Arizona gets Josh Grosz, a young righty who’s already been traded once since being drafted by the Yankees in the 11th round in 2023 out of East Carolina. Grosz spent 2025 in High-A, putting up a 4.67 ERA with a 1.30 WHIP, 9.7 strikeouts per nine innings, and a solid 2.45 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 125.1 innings.
He’s not overpowering, but he’s got a solid foundation: a low-to-mid 90s fastball, a gyro slider, and a changeup that flashes promise. For a team like the D-backs, who’ve had success developing arms in recent years, he’s a worthwhile project.
On the surface, this is a low-key intra-division trade. But dig a little deeper, and it’s a snapshot of two franchises in transition. The Rockies are trying to inject speed and energy into a roster that’s lacked both, while the Diamondbacks are looking to stay flexible and build for the long haul – even after a World Series run in 2023 and a competitive finish last season.
It’s not the kind of deal that makes headlines in January, but it’s the kind that could quietly pay off for both clubs down the road.
