Rockies acquire Tyler Freeman from Guardians for Nolan Jones

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – The Rockies acquired versatile middle-of-the-diamond player Tyler Freeman on Saturday from the Guardians in exchange for a player they received from the same club in 2022: left fielder Nolan Jones.

The teams announced the deal on Saturday, after Freeman and Jones were scratched from the starting lineups of their respective Cactus League games.

“The ability to play a variety of positions – let’s say the triangle in the middle, short, second and center – gives us some versatility,” Rockies general manager Bill Schmidt said. “There’s a speed component. He’s a contact hitter. I classify him as a ‘baseball player.’”

The need for Freeman, 26, arose when Thairo Estrada, who the Rockies signed to start at second base, was forced out for 4-8 weeks with a fractured right wrist.

The right-handed hitting Freeman, batting .308 with two home runs in 15 Spring Training games, could work in a share of second base with Kyle Farmer, the 34-year-old veteran who was signed to make occasional starts. Farmer has also had a strong spring – hitting .333 after a single and a double in Sunday afternoon’s 10-4 win over the White Sox.

TRADE DETAILS

Rockies receive: UTL Tyler Freeman
Guardians receive: OF Nolan Jones

Freeman was the Guardians’ primary center fielder through the first half of last season before assuming a multi-position role. He finished last season with a .209/.305/.321 slash line with seven home runs, 32 RBIs and 11 stolen bases.

The trade adds late Spring Training roster intrigue for the Rockies, who open the season on Friday against the Rays in Tampa.

As the Rockies stand, Nick Martini, Jordan Beck, Sean Bouchard, Sam Hilliard and Zac Veen (Rockies No. 8 prospect) are all competing to join two-time Gold Glove Award-winning center fielder Brenton Doyle. Hilliard is penciled in to occasionally spell Doyle in center.

Freeman potentially could move around the infield and outfield until Estrada returns. By having him work in the infield and outfield, the Rockies could find a way for Veen – their top pick in the 2020 MLB Draft – to begin his Major League career and start games.

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Veen, 23, is batting .298 with a .375 on-base percentage, two home runs and nine stolen bases in 25 Cactus League games. On Friday, he was presented with the Abby Greer Award, given annually to the Spring Training most valuable player but with a player development emphasis.

The question becomes Hilliard, who struggled offensively this spring but last year was a revelation when he posted an .812 OPS in 58 games. A Doyle-Hilliard combination would give the Rockies two players who can cover ground at Coors Field – no small feat – experience doing so.

Freeman's addition also gives the Rockies more development time for switch-hitting No. 7 prospect Adael Amador, 21, who made such progress in his transition from shortstop to second base this spring that the Rockies considered carrying him on the season-opening roster.

Schmidt said the Rockies have not made final roster decisions.

Jones, 26, debuted with Cleveland in 2022 but had a standout rookie year in ‘23 with the Rockies, hitting .297 with 20 home runs, 62 RBIs and 20 steals. Last season, however, he dealt with back and knee issues, played in just 79 games and struggled offensively with a .227 average, three homers and 28 RBIs.

"I spent my first seven years in professional baseball with the Cleveland Guardians organization, and created a lot of lifelong friendships, and people I considered family," Jones said. "To be heading back there is super exciting for me."

Beyond Veen, No. 6 prospect Yanquiel Fernandez, 22, reached Triple-A last year, has hit .258 in 31 Cactus League at-bats and is considered not far away. No. 15 prospect Benny Montgomery is 3-for-12 in the Cactus League and has made definite strides after missing much of last season with a left shoulder injury. On the way quickly could be athletic, switch-hitting No. 3 prospect Cole Carrigg, who had a strong 2024 at High-A Spokane and earned an invitation to Major League camp this year.

The emerging talent meant the Rockies could trade Jones, who had been projected as the regular in left field, to fill a need. Multiple teams approached the Rockies, attempting to trade for him.

“Nolan did a good job, especially in ‘23, but I like some of our young guys coming,” Schmidt said. “They might not be ready right now, all of them, but that’s one of our strengths. You’ve got to give up something to get something, and the injury to Estrada maybe sped some things up.”