Rockies Notebook: Are Moniak, McCarthy Getting Traded?

Joe RutlandSun, Jul 5, 2026·3 min read

If Colorado Rockies fans want something to be concerned about, then there's news on Sunday involving Mickey Moniak and Jake McCarthy.

No, they are not going on the Injured List. There, though, is some scuttlebutt that the two-time World Series champions Houston Astros are interested in acquiring Moniak and/or McCarthy.

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"The Houston Astros, badly needing an outfielder, are showing strong interest in Mickey Moniak and Jake McCarthy of the Colorado Rockies," Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported on Sunday. "They also plan to be in the Tarik Skubal and Sonny Gray sweepstakes."

It would be tough to see the Rockies part with one or both players.

If a trade took place, then Colorado wants to make sure what they get in exchange will equal what the ballclub would give up in a deal.

The Astros, who won World Series titles in 2017 and 2022, have been scuffling this season in the American League West Division. In that division, though, there is a logjam across the top four teams...and the Astros are involved.

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Obviously, the Rockies, while playing better ball at times, have not been able to fully right the ship yet. Colorado has one of the worst won-loss records in MLB in the 2026 season.

But they have been showing signs of being a competitive, gritty team when falling behind in games.

As Nightengale points out, the Astros are in need of some help in their outfield. Houston just optioned center fielder Jake Meyers down to Triple-A Sugar Land after he struggled at the plate this season. They have had players like Taylor Trammell, up-and-coming star Cam Smith, and Joey Loperfido, among others, in the outfield.

What none of these players show, though, is consistency and power at the plate. Yes, Yordan Alvarez is primarily a designated hitter right now for the Astros, but he's even been playing some left field this season.

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Moniak currently has a slash line of .282/.333/.945 with 15 home runs, 37 RBIs, and one stolen base. As for McCarthy, he has a sweet slash line of .307/.344/.862 with nine home runs and 47 RBIs. He also has 14 stolen bases for the Rockies at this point.

These players' statistics reflected where they stood going into Sunday afternoon's series finale against the San Francisco Giants at Coors Field.

Moniak and/or McCarthy would immediately give the Astros' outfield a big boost. Yet there is no word out of the Rockies about any deal coming down the road.

Colorado fans have shown their support for Moniak and McCarthy during their time with the ballclub. Seeing one or both of them dealt away would not sit too well unless Houston throws in, as I noted earlier, an equitable trade return.

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We'll have to see what happens as the MLB Trade Deadline looms ahead.

Sullivan Sent Back to Albuquerque

Sean Sullivan's latest appearance with the Rockies at the MLB level lasted just one game.

On Sunday, the ballclub announced that Sullivan, who gave up six earned runs in his Saturday night effort against the Giants, had been optioned to the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes.

In a corresponding move, Colorado recalled TJ Shook from the Isotopes.

Also, the Rockies returned outfielder Brenton Doyle from his rehabilitation assignment. Doyle will remain on the 10-day Injured List.

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