How many one-sided trade suggestions are we going to get with this team? Sure, I’d take Holliday, Carlos Lee, Mark DeRosa or Jermaine Dye. There aren’t a lot of people who wouldn’t. But we don’t have too much to offer back. So maybe it’s time we look at things in a different light.

I propose we trade Ryan Church, in a deal for Brad Hawpe. First off, I understand that it’s a weird thought and Hawpe may not even be available, but there have been whispers. Brad Hawpe would be a great addition to this team in my eyes and he’s an upgrade to Ryan Church. Earlier, I came across a comment on MLBtraderumors where someone said that Hawpe was Ryan Church in Coors Field, and at least Church could field. But Hawpe swings more dangerous lumber than Church does, and he’s still doing it in the Rockies lineup without the sweet swinging Matt Holliday. I understand that Hawpe’s numbers have been inflated because he plays half his games at Coors Field, but I think he deserves some credit.

The only knock I have against Hawpe is that he’s statistically not the best fielder around, and this is true, because his “Range factor”, the amount of ground he covers, isn’t very high. But in 2006, he led all MLB right fielders with 16 OF assists and fielded to a .987 percentage. To be fair, Hawpe’s percentage dropped to .956 in 2008 but he had 77 less chances compared to 2006. However, whatever Hawpe doesn’t cover for in defense, he makes up for with above-average offense.

Hawpe owns a career batting average of .287 and a career OBP of .378. Hawpe hit 20 doubles, 20 HRs, and 80 RBIs for three straight years: 2006-2008; hitting 30 doubles in 06’ and 07’. His career year was 2007, when he hit .291 with 29 HRs, 116 RBI, 33 2B, and scored 80 times.

This year, without Holliday as protection, he’s batting .337 with 9 HRs and 47 RBIs and an OBP of .410. He’s already stroked 21 doubles this year in only 196 ABS.

If those numbers aren’t convincing, there’s a few more things to note. Hawpe is batting .327 against left-handed pitching this year, so he’s proven he can hit lefties.

And for the doubters that believe that Coors Field is the only reason he’s such a good hitter: Hawpe owns a .294 career average at home, and a .281 average on the road. He’s hit 61 doubles and 48 HRs at Coors, while stroking 63 doubles and 49 HRs on the road.

So with all this behind me, I suggest that we go after the 30-year old Brad Hawpe. Would Church and two Triple-A pitchers do it? If it were a pretty decent relief pitcher or two, the Rockies would welcome that. The Rox also have a crowded outfield with prospects Carlos Gonzalez and Dexter Fowler starting to produce. And for anyone who was wondering, Hawpe owns a career .360 average against the Phillies.