Rockies closer Seth Halvorsen's stays 'focused' amid growing MLB trade rumors

CLEVELAND As a flame-throwing closer, Rockies reliever Seth Halvorsen is reportedly drawing interest as a bullpen-bolstering trade target prior to the MLB trade deadline on Friday.

That rumor is one of the worst-kept secrets in baseball.

Even the 25-year-old right-hander knows it, shrugging off any thoughts of what might happen over the next couple of days.

Thats completely out of my control, Halvorsen told The Denver Gazette on Tuesday inside the Rockies clubhouse at Progressive Field.

I focus on what I can, which is to go out and prepare every night and every day to play.

Ill just continue to do that and whatever happens, Ill be ready to play.

Halvorsen showed as much emotion answering that question as he does nailing down a save in a pressure-packed situation.

In the eyes of Rockies manager Warren Schaeffer, it is Halvorsens personality that makes him a solid solution for the late innings.

Hes a very even-keeled guy.

Hes actually one of the most even-keeled guys I think Ive ever met in this game, Schaeffer said.

If it goes awry a little bit, hes going to pull it back in because of that mentality and who he is on the inside.

An example of that happened Monday night in the series opener here in Cleveland against the Guardians.

Halvorsen entered the game in the ninth and walked the leadoff batter, Kyle Manzardo.

However, the next batter, Carlos Santana, hit into a double play.

Another walk and hit later, Halvorsen shook off the winning run being at the plate to strike out Brayan Rocchio with a 100.2-mph fastball to end the frame.

Its not always going to be perfect, Schaeffer said.

Its a hard game.

Possessing one of the games fiercest fastballs, however, makes the game easier.

With a fastball velocity that averages 100.0 mph, Halvorsen also has developed a splitter and slider to keep batters off-balance.

Still considered a rookie with just 53 career games under his belt, Halvorsens development into a closer has quickened with the evolution of all three pitches in his arsenal.

I have confidence in all three of my pitches, Halvorsen said.

Its about continuing to get more repetition.

Even in the games, I see the results of a pitch I like, especially the slider, and see a swing and miss down and away or weak contact, it jumps out as an executed slider.

Building on those is great.

Rockies senior director of player development Chris Forbes has watched Halvorsen evolve from a seventh-round pick in the 2023 MLB draft into a reliever who is the subject of multiple trade rumors.

In the minor leagues, we dont try to use closers, per se, as much as leverage-type guys, Forbes told The Denver Gazette.

We started giving him leverage opportunities and he took to it.

Halvorsen did that in the minors, and hes done that in Colorado as well.

His first save opportunity came last season at Dodger Stadium when he was called upon to pitch the ninth against the high-powered Los Angeles offense.

It wasnt perfect, with the Dodgers loading the bases on a two-out walk to Tommy Edman.

However, Halvorsen struck out Max Muncy to end the game.

All of the experience I can get, it just helps to build into the picture of who I am then and now, and how I can continue to grow, Halvorsen said.

That was a great opportunity to get that first save in front of a bunch of fans and some good hitters.

Entering Tuesdays game, Halvorsen led the Rockies with 11 saves.

He is one of four pitchers to earn at least two saves for Colorado in 2025, adding to a level of healthy competition in the Rockies bullpen that pushes each reliever to be the best he can be.

To be able to pitch innings that are meaningful late in the game, there are a lot of us who can do that here, Halvorsen said.

We build off each other and give each other feedback.

Collectively, as a group, we help each other to grow.

Its a group that has also evolved into Colorados most valuable trade stash after the Rockies dealt Ryan McMahon last Friday.

Along with Tyler Kinley, Victor Vodnik, Jake Bird and Jimmy Herget, if Colorado chooses to sell, it could net them prospects much like McMahons swap to the Yankees did last week.

The Dallas Morning News reported Tuesday the Texas Rangers had engaged with the Rockies in discussions about Bird, Vodnik and Kinley.

The Athletic reported Colorados front office was listening to trade offers on Vodnik and Halvorsen and would want a big return.

Halvorsens trade value is not only wrapped around what he brings to the mound, but also his years of team control remaining.

He is not scheduled to be a free agent until the 2031 campaign.

While it might be the current buzz, its not a focus for Halvorsen.

Instead, hes working on improving to help the Rockies this season and in the future.

Theres a bunch of talent all around this team, and specifically in the bullpen, Halvorsen said.

If we can keep building with this group, I think we could be really productive as a bullpen..

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