Rockies Rumors: Betancourt, Marquis, Hawpe

I think that the Rockies need to non-tender Garrett Atkins and trade Brad Hawpe. They need to free up those spots for Ian Stewart and an everyday outfield of Fowler, Gonalez and Smith, and they still have the rest of the lineup set.

Betancourt was dominant in Colorado, but $5.1M is a lot of cash, it might be in their best interests to decline to the option and attempt to resign him at a lesser cost.

They have a good lineup with Iannetta, Helton, Barmes, Tulowitzki, Stewart, Gonzalez, Fowler, Smith and Hawpe, and it's good even without Hawpe, and the defense sure is hell is better without him, Gonzalez is great defensively.

The rotation should be pretty good again with Jimenez, Cook, De La Rosa, Hammel and some combination of Jeff Francis, Franklin Morales, Jhoulys Chacin and Esmil Rogers.

With that lineup, and a stable of young pitching that includes Jimenez, Hammel, Corpas, Morales, Chacin, Rogers, Tyler Matzek, Christian Friedrich, Rex Brothers, Greg Reynolds and Casey Weathers, the Rockies appear to be in great position for a long time.

I think two of those Rockies seem to fit with the Mets. Hawpe and Marquis.

Hawpe can be corner OF protection, his career splits of Home/Away are very similar and he had more HR on the road this season, which is good. The Mets can look for another OF also and if anything have Francoeur and Hawpe to platoon in RF. Francoeur hits LHP well and Hawpe can hit RHP. Also his strong arm will help in RF if needed.

Marquis mainly because of his durability, something Mets can use in the starting rotation. He averages 196 innings pitched over the last 6 seasons. If they were to add a Harden as well to slot in as a true #2, then Pelfrey/Marquis could give a descent #3 and 4. IMO.

I know some people will comment Marquis and Harden... typical Met fan, blah blah, but it would cost less than Lackey for both of them and provide depth to the SP.

As for the Rockies, they are in real solid shape moving forward, Gonzalez in the OF looks really good and Tulo looks to have his health and swing back. Ubaldo might be a legit ace (especially what he has done in Coors Field), and they have plenty in the farm coming in relatively soon. Not a bad time to be a Rox fan.

I like the Mets and Giants as fits for Hawpe.

The Mets could offer something based around Jefry Marte, Francisco Pena and/or some other guys, and the Giants could offer something based around pitching and/or a young guy like Ehire Adrianza.

The Rockies should move Hawpe while he's expendable and has trade value, because the Rockies may already have three better players in their outfield.

I would love if the Mets picked up Hawpe - it wouldn't take so much and it would help solidify that corner OF spot. Even if he played everyday, it's an upgrade.

I don't really like picking up Marquis here. He's coming off his best season since 04. He's throws a lot of innings but I'd rather see the Mets trade for OF help and sign a big time starter.

"I would love if the Mets picked up Hawpe - it wouldn't take so much and it would help solidify that corner OF spot. Even if he played everyday, it's an upgrade."

I think that the Mets need to add an everyday outfielder and a first baseman, and let Murphy, Pagan and maybe Francoeur share time in the other spot.

1. Gonzalez CF
2. Fowler RF
3. Helton 1B
4. Tulowitzki SS
5. Stewart 3B
6. Spilbourghs LF
7. Ianetta C
8. Young 2B

SP-Jimenez
SP-Cook
SP-De La Rosa
SP-Francis
SP-Hammel

I think trading Hawpe is a good idea for CO. Also, Atkins won't be back, so it'd be nice to trade him even if we just get $1 of value back, because that's better than just letting him walk. Marquis likely won't be back either. Between those 3, that's a huge chunk of salary off the books. And I think it's fairly clear we need to get a power RH-bat to play LF, ala Matt Holliday (someone like him via trade or FA).

Spilly and Smith need to stay as our reserve OFs. Also, I think 2B needs to be looked at. Barmes just doesn't cut it. Keep him as a utility player, sure, but not starter. If EYJ is ready, great. If not, also use some of that money saved to get a 2B.

Hawpe is the only proven OF Colorado has .Gonzalez could prove to be the next great CF but he's just 1/2 year into his MLB career.
Fowler and Smith ? Colorado would be wise to keep Hawpe and see what 2010 brings with it.

Atkins could bring in a decent prospect and a utility player.
Marquis will test FA and god bless any team who signs him.

You know who needs a cheap corner infielder with upside? The Baltimore Orioles. We need someone better than Melvin Mora (high standards, I know) to play for 1 or 2 years before Josh Bell is ready. If Atkins plays well, we can either trade him after a season or move Bell to 1B. If he doesn't - well, at least he had more upside than Mora.

No clue who we would trade for him though. Luke Scott? Ty Wigginton? Jeremy Guthrie?

No way they get Bell because he's going to replace Mora.
They don't need Marte he plays 3B and the Mets need him and Peterson just in case Wright leaves know or when he does.
Hawpe can stay. Move Stewart to 2B.

I can see SF going after him, maybe even Boston if they don't retain Bay. The team I can see making a real run at Hawpe is ATL. Power hitting RF, probably wouldn't cost a fortune. Seems to fit the profile perfectly, IMO.