Let’s see what we can find in three new columns from Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post today.
- I wrote last week that the Rockies would come in a bit under $80MM after arbitration raises. Renck pegs it around $75MM.
- The team’s plan is to shop Garrett Atkins for a frontline starter. If the interest is not there (why would it be?), they could switch to Matt Holliday. Renck ponders Matt Cain and a prospect to Colorado, but that is a lot to give up for one year of Holliday. Plus the Giants are not looking to add an outfielder.
- Dave Krieger of the Rocky Mountain News analyzes whether the Rockies could afford to re-sign Holliday. He believes they could, but doesn’t expect them to go past five years.
- Renck sees Clint Barmes as the starting second baseman heading into ’09. Barmes could earn around $1.7MM as a first-time arbitration player.
- Manager Clint Hurdle admitted his starters are more like #2-5s, so it’d be perfect to add a #1 and push them all back. #1 starters are hard to come by, of course.
- Yorvit Torrealba isn’t happy as a backup but the Rockies aren’t looking to trade him. Meanwhile Willy Taveras is a non-tender candidate.
- The Rockies hope to re-sign free agent Glendon Rusch.
