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Renck's Latest Rockie Rumors

By Tim Dierkes [August 28, 2007 at 11:28am CST]

Rockies beat reporter Troy E. Renck had the scoop on all kinds of Rockie rumors yesterday; I'm just now getting to it. Let's look at some highlights from his column.

Renck suggests the Rox take a look at Bob Wickman. Meanwhile, the Phillies actually inquired but aren't expected to work out a deal. The Indians will take a pass.

Renck mentions that the Rockies have "long coveted" catcher Paul Lo Duca. Lo Duca should be there for the signing this winter.

The Rockies will have around $45MM tied up in Todd Helton, Matt Holliday, Garrett Atkins, Brad Hawpe, Brian Fuentes, and Aaron Cook for 2008. Even if the team raises its $55MM payroll, someone has to go. By the way, locking up Holliday long-term will cost a king's ransom. He's a Scott Boras client.

Given the burden of Todd Helton's contract and his no-trade clause, he may be immovable. But a .400 OBP is still valuable any way you slice it, so perhaps the Red Sox or Angels will get re-engaged. Renck believes Atkins and Fuentes are the main trading chips to clear payroll though. The Angels and Twins could still use Atkins while the Phils, Red Sox, and Yankees have inquired on Fuentes in the past. Atkins for a Kevin Slowey or Scott Baker just makes too much sense.

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Comments

the sox interest in Fuentes made sense at one time but interest is probably minimal at this point. I think you could probably throw the red sox into the pool of probably a large number of teams interested in Atkins. He could replace Lowell if they let him walk. Btw, the reason i know so much about the sox is because i live in the boston area. It is very difficult to follow the royals up here.

Posted by: themfightnwords | August 28, 2007 at 11:51 AM

I've been advertising an Atkins trade for awhile. A solid to stellar OPS for the Twins third basemen is unheard of, so they're out. The Phils can't afford him in value from what I see. The only teams I see going for Helton are the Yankees and maybe Tigers. Angels would be a suitor for Atkins, maybe a smaller market shells out some prospects for him.

My problem with Holliday is, he's very productive yes, but his home-road splits are simply drastic. He's an average hitter on the road and he's a shoo-in Hall of Famer at Coors. So I can't see the Rox and Boras working out a deal under those terms, and the Rockies could sell high. I doubt they'd want to lose that production, but O'Dowd can't go and give him a 6 year $130 million deal.

Posted by: buehrlebro | August 28, 2007 at 12:07 PM

Would have to eat at least half of Helton's contract for anyone to take a chance at him with his health history. I just don't see a deal happening.

I think Atkins will be moved with Stewart in the minors and ready for majors. With a poor market of 3B's in general if Yanks keep ARod and BoSox keep Lowell, he should fetch a decent return .

Posted by: zs190 | August 28, 2007 at 12:29 PM

Atkins is worth a whole lot more than Kevin Slowey.

Posted by: xxxJamesxxx | August 28, 2007 at 12:48 PM

Atkins also has very dramatic home/road splits. I am sure this drives down his value a lot.

Posted by: themfightnwords | August 28, 2007 at 01:15 PM

I dunno...Atkins doesn't have the glove for 3B. If he hits .270/.350/.440 for the Twins that'd be an overall below average 3B.

Posted by: Tim Dierkes | August 28, 2007 at 01:30 PM

That would put their current 3B production to shame.

Posted by: buehrlebro | August 28, 2007 at 01:40 PM

But that doesn't suddenly make Atkins worth Matt Garza.

Posted by: Tim Dierkes | August 28, 2007 at 02:11 PM

Well, let's point out the options. The Twins can't afford A-Rod or Lowell so that's out. I believe Casey Blake is a free agent, who isn't on your list, but would they want to pay him legitimately for a third Twins stint? Then we move on to Mike Lamb and Pedro Feliz. I think Feliz would be the best option. The Twins aren't into mini Adam Dunn types, so they probably won't bite on Russ Branyan. Would the White Sox trade Crede within the division, knowing the Twins can't retain him for more thsan a season? Yes, but the two teams are hardly a match made in heaven. I guess they could go for Morgy Ensberg if the Pads don't re-sign him, and then there's the Shea Hey Kid who sees writing on the wall. The Twins could try Brian Buscher, a 26 year old prospect on a career year, or Tommy Watkins, a 27 year old career minor league short stop, or *gulp* You-Know-Who. So really, the best option falls in a trade. So no, Atkins is not worth Garza. But he's worth more than Slowey, who hasn't shown the stuff to pitch in the majors, or Baker, who's average. Maybe both for Atkins and a ptbnl.

Posted by: buehrlebro | August 28, 2007 at 02:46 PM

Casey Blake is arby eligible but not a free agent at season's end (unless the Tribe non-tender him which isn't likely).

Posted by: MickS | August 28, 2007 at 03:54 PM

Lo Ducca to the Rockies??? why?

http://globalnym.blogspot.com

Posted by: VIPRegan | August 28, 2007 at 06:27 PM

In 2006, Atkins' H/A splits were

H: .999
A: .939

This year it's more pronounced, obviously, but I wouldn't say he's merely a product of his park. .313/.402/.531 is a decent road split.

Posted by: xxxJamesxxx | August 28, 2007 at 07:06 PM

The Twins will match up better for a Chad Tracy of the D-Backs. I think a Cruz/Tracy for Garza is one that might be looked into.

The only thing the Phillies can offer is OF and that the ROXS have real deep Depth in OF.

And it make to much sense for A-Rod and Lowell to re-up with their current teams.

I can see either of the TEXAS team making a run for Aktins. Maybe with Laird for Aktins or Qualls/Burke for Aktins. With Aktins moving to first in the texas trade or Wiggy moving to secound in the houston trade.

Posted by: russell | August 28, 2007 at 10:02 PM

Atkins is good. Colorado players always feel more comfortable at home, but that's not to say they can't hit anywhere else but Coor's. As someone who grew up watching games at Coor's, I think the confidence that the hitters grow over a few years translates at least into a good season for some AL team. D. Bichette did it. Ellis Burks should have been 40/40 in CO in '96, but as long as you don't overpay then you get a productive year. Close, but he was a good player afterwards, and hit 31 HR's for the Giants afterwards in '99. CO produces quality offensive players, even if they generally hit at home. Atkins should bring back at least one pitching prospect, and more likely, a pitching prospect and an MLB ready position player. I could easily see him as an everyday, quality player for a team like the Angels or the Yankees. If he doesn't get that far, then he would be reliable for the Twins or the A's for many years to come.

Posted by: conorj | August 28, 2007 at 11:48 PM

I'm not buying into the Phillies not getting Wickman. They've been trying to get as many dead arms into that 'pen as possible this year.

Posted by: no funny hats | August 29, 2007 at 12:13 AM

Kevin Slowey did struggle when he played the first 37 innings of his major league career earlier this year, but he holds a 1.74 ERA in AAA, a 103/17 K/BB ratio, and was just named Most Valuable Pitcher in the International League for 2007. His previous years are nearly as dominant. He is 23 years old. This is not the picture of a player who "just can't figure out the majors". If Atkins and his merely adequate (for a 3B) .800 OPS is worth more than Slowey, it's not by much -- say, a throw-in reliever.

Posted by: capsaicin | August 29, 2007 at 10:11 AM

"The Twins will match up better for a Chad Tracy of the D-Backs. I think a Cruz/Tracy for Garza is one that might be looked into."

that might be the worse trade i have ever seen. a backup 3rd basemen and a relief pitcher that isnt even a main factor in your bullpen for a future #1 starter. dbacks could offer mark reynolds and chris young to start with to get garza

Posted by: Barroid_Bonds | August 29, 2007 at 04:44 PM

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