The Colorado Rockies bolstered their infield and pitching depth on Wednesday by acquiring infielder Edouard Julien and right-hander Pierson Ohl from the Minnesota Twins in exchange for minor league pitcher Jace Kaminska and cash considerations. In a separate deal, the Rockies obtained first baseman T.J. Rumfield from the New York Yankees for reliever Angel Chivilli, while designating outfielder Yanquiel Fernández for assignment. These moves address vacancies at first base and add versatility to the roster.
The trades, announced from Denver, come amid the Rockies' efforts to rebuild after a 43-119 season in 2025. Julien, entering his age-27 season, enjoyed a promising 2023 rookie year with the Twins, slashing .263/.381/.459 with 16 home runs and finishing seventh in American League Rookie of the Year voting. He also hit .364 in the AL Division Series against the Houston Astros. However, his performance dipped in 2024 and 2025, yielding a .623 OPS over 509 plate appearances, leading to time in Triple-A where he posted a .261/.406/.440 line with a 125 wRC+ over the past two years. Out of options, Julien's path to playing time in Colorado appears clearer, potentially at first or second base, filling the void left by Michael Toglia's departure this offseason. Rockies president of baseball operations Paul DePodesta expressed optimism: “We’re certainly intrigued by the bat... He has a really, really good track record... We like the versatility. He can play first; he can play second. And we like that left-handed bat against right-handed pitching.” DePodesta emphasized creating competition and roster flexibility, noting, “I think really what we’re trying to do is to create really healthy competition on our roster... We may not be done adding, we’ll see.” Rumfield, a 25-year-old ranked No. 22 in the Yankees' system, impressed in Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre last year with an .825 OPS and 16 home runs in 587 plate appearances, following a .294/.370/.454 line with 15 homers in 2024 across Double-A and Triple-A. On the pitching front, Ohl, 26, debuted in the majors last July with a 5.10 ERA over 30 innings in 14 appearances but excelled in the minors at 2.40 ERA across levels. The Twins, clearing space after signing Taylor Rogers and Victor Caratini, received Kaminska, a 24-year-old who posted a 2.78 ERA in Single-A in 2024 before Tommy John surgery sidelined him in 2025. Chivilli, traded to the Yankees, leaves with a 6.18 career ERA but a potent 97 mph fastball. The Rockies also designated Fernández, a 23-year-old prospect who struggled at .613 OPS in 147 major league plate appearances last year despite strong Triple-A numbers, as expendable given outfield depth. DePodesta reassured that these acquisitions won't hinder prospects like third overall pick Charlie Condon, drawing from his Oakland A's days: “We’re obviously not there yet and we’re going to keep adding to this roster, but in no way are we sort of not believing in the young guys we have.”
