DENVER — Hunter Goodman could find himself playing for a contender in the near future if trade rumors pan out — but moving up in the standings would mean leaving behind teammates who’ve grown close through some tough times together.
The Colorado Rockies’ two-time All-Star catcher has been one of the most talked-about names heading into the August 3 trade deadline. Rather than getting caught up in the speculation, Goodman says he’s zeroing in on what he can control — driving baseballs out of the park.
“Looking at the stuff like that, it does more bad for you than good,” Goodman said Wednesday, before his team dropped an 8-0 decision to the Washington Nationals. “So there’s no point, because it’s all out of your control anyway. So, yeah, just try not to look at (the rumors).”
This Rockies group has formed a tight bond through losing. Since Goodman made his big-league debut on August 27, 2023, Colorado has posted a 156-305 record — a .338 winning percentage. Still, the organization is trending upward under a new front office led by Paul DePodesta and Josh Byrnes. Currently sitting at 41-63, the club is just two victories away from matching all of last season’s wins, when they finished 43-119.
“I definitely want to be a part of this place turning around,” said Goodman, a fourth-round draft selection in 2021 out of the University of Memphis. “We’ve made strides this year already. If you look at where we were at this point last year, I mean, we’re a lot better baseball team.”
“Even our losses are a lot better losses, for the most part. It’s one-run games, two-run games. We’re in it late in the game. It’s just better baseball overall, and it’s been a lot more fun this year.”
Any team hoping to pry Goodman away from Colorado would likely need to offer something substantial. He’s also proving he’s no product of Coors Field’s hitter-friendly environment — 18 of his 31 home runs this season have come on the road.
Those 31 homers already equal his career high set last year, when he earned his first All-Star selection and captured the NL Silver Slugger award. He’s now the fourth National League catcher ever to hit 30 or more home runs in back-to-back seasons, joining Todd Hundley (1996-97) and Hall of Famers Mike Piazza (1995-2002) and Roy Campanella (1950-51).
Rockies manager Warren Schaeffer isn’t losing any sleep over how the trade chatter might affect his catcher. Schaeffer’s club opens a three-game road series in Milwaukee on Friday.
“I ain’t worried about Hunter Goodman,” Schaeffer said. “He’s got his head on his shoulders. All these guys do. … All these guys that are in trade rumors — they’re bigger than that. They’re stronger than that.”
Outfielder Mickey Moniak knows firsthand how unsettling this time of year can be. Moniak, the top overall pick by Philadelphia in the 2016 draft, was dealt from the Phillies to the Los Angeles Angels for pitcher Noah Syndergaard at the 2022 trade deadline. He’s hitting .279 with 16 home runs this season and could attract interest from teams looking for a left-handed bat.
“I’ve learned over the years that whatever’s going to happen is going to happen,” Moniak said. “Their job up there (in the front office) is to make the best decision for the club, what they see fit. Our job is to go out and play baseball.”
That philosophy has served Goodman well as he keeps mashing. Last Sunday, he launched three home runs in a single game for the second time this season. He followed that performance with a go-ahead solo shot in the eighth inning Tuesday to help Colorado beat Washington.
“Just trusting in your routine,” said Goodman, who arrived at the All-Star break with 27 home runs — the most by an NL catcher at that point since Hall of Famer Johnny Bench hit 28 in 1970. “Some days you’re seeing it well, and some days (pitchers) miss and give you good pitches to hit. You’re not going to get that every day in this league but on those days, if you can capitalize, it’s huge.”
