Aaron Cook Rumors

Gammons On The Cubs' Starter Pursuit

ESPN's Peter Gammons has a new blog entry up, with the focus on the Cubs' desire to add a starting pitcher. Gammons talked to a Cubs official who said, "We almost certainly will do something. But we really don't want to give up Sean Gallagher at this point." Here's a quick rundown of the candidates: C.C. Sabathia - Cubs don't believe they have enough to get him. Rich Harden - Gammons doesn't specifically say the Cubs are interested, just that they're monitoring Oakland. Randy Wolf - The Cubs have interest, and Gammons says Wolf would waive his no-trade to go...   Continue Reading

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Stark's Latest: Holliday, Lofton, Hudson, Greinke

Time to delve into Jayson Stark's latest column for ESPN. The Rockies are 9.5 games out, and if they slip further over the next month they may trade Matt Holliday or Garrett Atkins (not both). If so, they'd be flexible on the number and ages of the players they'd want in return. Aaron Cook will not be traded. Stark talked to one team official who speculated the Pirates could keep their outfield intact in the name of a run at .500. Presumably they'd be doing this for the fans, but diehards would probably prefer a sweet bounty of young players...   Continue Reading

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Jayson Stark's Latest

Jayson Stark's latest column is up and as usual he dips into the rumor-mill several times... Indians: According to other clubs, Cleveland is starting to float C.C. Sabathia's name, but are making it clear that they are not ready to trade him. Stark says the Indians are scouting the Red Sox heavily. One executive says that it is hard to imagine somebody giving up prospects for a guy that will almost certainly test the free agency waters. That same executive says they would have a hard time giving seven years to a pitcher as big as Sabathia. Tigers: One AL...   Continue Reading

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Rockies Sign Hawpe Long-Term

Troy Renck of the Denver Post is reporting that the Rockies and Brad Hawpe have agreed to a three-year deal with a fourth-year option. The contract is worth $17MM with the 2011 option expected to be close to $10MM. The deal will lock up Hawpe for each of his arbitration seasons while the team option could eliminate his first year of free agency. The right fielder hit .291-29-116 with a 129 OPS+ in 2007. The Rockies who won the NL last year with a payroll close to $52MM have now committed $91MM to four of their core players this off-season....   Continue Reading

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Rockies, Cook Agree On Extension

The long-rumored three-year extension for Aaron Cook is now complete, according to MLB.com's Thomas Harding. The sinkerballer gets $30MM to cover the 2009-11 seasons. He's also got a mutual option for 2012. Some of the money is a bonus going toward 2008, as Cook was set to earn only $4.5MM. Cook turns 29 in February. He posted a 4.12 ERA in 25 starts in '07, ranking fourth in the league with a 57.9% groundball rate. Cook and fellow rotation anchor Jeff Francis are both locked in through 2011 now. The Rockies are still trying to find someone to replace Josh..   Continue Reading

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Rockies Rumors: Iguchi, Cook, Kip, Holliday

UPDATE, 12-6-07 at 12:57pm: According to Thomas Harding of MLB.com, David Eckstein is now a Rockies' target for second base. They talked to Mark Loretta today, also. Harding adds that the holdup on the Cook deal is the amount of a fourth-year option. FROM 12-6-07 at 12:21pm: The Denver Post's Troy E. Renck has a lunchtime Rockies update. Renck doesn't see Tadahito Iguchi getting Kaz Matsui money, noting that only the Rockies are pursuing Iguchi at his preferred position of second base. That could change if the Orioles trade Brian Roberts. Though Aaron Cook's 3/30 extension isn't final, GM Dan..   Continue Reading

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Aaron Cook To Sign Extension

UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 5:24pm: Ken Rosenthal says the Rockies are "moving closer" to a 3/30 extension with Cook. FROM 12-5-07 at 11:11am: A few weeks ago, the Rockies offered a three-year, $30MM extension to 28 year-old sinkerballer Aaron Cook. The deal would cover the 2009-11 seasons, since the Rockies already exercised Cook at a below market $4.5MM for '08. According to Troy Renck, Cook has been pondering the offer and will decide within a few days. A month ago I suggested the Rockies and Cook could arrive at a Jake Westbrook-like three year, $33MM extension. That sounds about right, though..   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Cook, Benoit, Griffey, Riske

Some random tidbits that didn't get their own posts today... The Rockies picked up Aaron Cook's $4.5MM option as expected. The bigger question is whether they can sign him long-term, maybe for three years. They also passed on LaTroy Hawkins for $3.75MM but may still sign him. The Rangers agreed to a two-year contract with reliever Joaquin Benoit for two years and $6MM. He would've hit free agency after 2008. Smart move would be to let him rack up 10-15 saves next season and then trade him for something good. The Braves aren't expected to get their next center fielder..   Continue Reading

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Rockies Hope To Lock Up Holliday, Cook

Their season over, Rockies fans are already worrying about Matt Holliday's future. Troy E. Renck notes that the Rockies owner insisted they'll try to sign him long-term. As it is, Holliday's $4.4MM salary will jump to $9-10MM in '08. He reaches free agency after the 2009 season, but in 2008 I could see him earning $13-15MM. Oh, and one more thing - Holliday is represented by Scott Boras. Holliday has a .364/.425/.662 career line at home and a .273/.333/.448 career line on the road. Todd Helton at least was a .900 OPS guy even on the road, but Holliday basically..   Continue Reading

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