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Report: Rockies discussing trade for Blue Jays' Smoak

Tom Szczerbowski / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The Colorado Rockies have discussed Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Justin Smoak as a potential trade target, Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post reports.

Colorado has been eyeing an upgrade at first base and was previously tied to Edwin Encarnacion, who was traded to the Seattle Mariners on Thursday. If Encarnacion is no longer available, Smoak would be a reliable alternative. General manager Jeff Bridich told Saunders that the trade will not derail his team's plans of adding a big bat.

The 32-year-old Smoak has come into his own over four seasons with the Blue Jays, reaching his peak with an All-Star campaign in 2017 when he slashed .270/.355/.529 with 38 home runs and 29 doubles. He took a bit of a step back in 2018 but still posted a .350 OBP with 25 long balls and 34 doubles.

Smoak has one year and $8 million remaining on his contract. He'll hit free agency following the 2019 season.

The Rockies received the second-worst production from first base in 2018 with minus-1.8 wins above replacement, according to FanGraphs. The primary culprit was Ian Desmond, who slashed .236/.307/.422 with 22 home runs in 160 games.

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