There are strong indications the Rockies remain interested in Marlins second baseman Dan Uggla, reports Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post. The Rockies-Uggla speculation has been consistent since Troy Tulowitzki's wrist was broken on June 17th.
Colorado's interest predates the Tulo injury, however. Yesterday, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports wrote that the Rockies discussed trading Clint Barmes and a prospect for Uggla last offseason. It was an active discussion, reported ESPN's Jayson Stark in January. Rosenthal reported yesterday that the Marlins have made Jorge Cantu and Cody Ross available but are holding off for now on Uggla and Ricky Nolasco.
Uggla is having another fine year, with a .285/.369/.483 line and 16 home runs in 371 plate appearances. He has $3.52MM remaining on his contract this season, and could earn around $10MM in 2011 in his final arbitration year. Renck feels that Uggla's salary and the Rockies' potential desire to use him at various infield positions could be obstacles. Marlins president Larry Beinfest said on Sunday that the team is open to anything, but they won't make moves to clear salary.
It's surprising we haven't heard other teams connected to Uggla. The Red Sox and Phillies have injury concerns at second base, while the White Sox and Mets are among the contenders who have gotten very little offense out of the position.
Seems to make great sense for the Rockies. Tulo and Uggla would really back a punch in the middle of the order, coming from the middle infield no less. Uggla would probably be even better playing half of his games at Coors and give the Rockies a great chance of coming out on top in the NL West. Although I’d have to imagine the Marlins have a pretty high price tag on Uggla considering he has another year of team control. Maybe two of Esmil Rogers, Hector Gomez, Eric Young Jr, Casey Weathers gets them close. I doubt Colorado would get move Friedrich, Chacin, or Matzek though.
I still want to see this somehow revolve around Hawpe. The Rockies need to move him and unfortunately his stock is diving.If the Rockies can find a team looking for a borderline Type B free agent like Hawpe, they should get a decent prospect in return, which could be forwarded on to the Marlins as a piece of the pie for Uggla or Cantu.As a Rox fan I am fine with moving either EYJ or Chris Nelson as part of the deal. Rogers, Weathers, Chacin, and Matzek are all untouchable unless we start talking about trading for a high quality starting pitcher coming in return, but a 2B even as good a hitter as Uggla isn’t that crucial to trade young top arms away.
thank you finally someone opened their eyes!
I disagree with the assessment of Rogers being untouchable. After this year, he’ll have no options left, meaning he has to stay on the team next year or face waivers. I doubt the Rockies will guarantee a rotation spot for him over Chacin when one of DLR or Francis seem likely to return, so a bullpen assignment would be likely, but that’s also unlikely because of the talent in the bullpen. We should give Rogers his chance, and he’s be a good trade chip at the deadline for acquiring a piece like Dan Uggla. If EY2 is eligible off the DL before the deadline, I like using him as a second piece; I don’t like the idea of giving up Chris Nelson. As for a third piece, I like moving an outfielder like Cole Garner/Tim Wheeler/Charles Blackmon because we have a glut of outfielders in the system., and they are each solid top 20 prospects with good tools.
Good point on Rogers. I didn’t know he was out of options.I think DLR coming back is not likely. I don’t see the Rockies investing top money on what would be their #2 starter…especially coming off an injury and so much uncertainty whether end of 2009 was a fluke. I think the Rockies will take whatever compensation they can get for DLR and be happy.
I think we win in either situation for DLR. If he isn’t as good as 2009 post injury, teams will back off and he’d be ours, but if he is, we have a top lefty for the stretch run who nets us 2 picks. Alsom I think teams would be scared off of DLR’s recent injury, and that his success has lasted 2 and half years after a career of replacement level pitching. Since he was a headcase before last year, I feel teams would compare him to Oliver Perez and feel scared off. In other words, I think the Rockies have the highest chance on DLR in free agency, especially since he loves the Rockies organization.
Also, Hawpe would not be moved in a deal for Uggla. The Marlins want young cost controlled players, and Hawpe’s option for next would be dropped in a trade, so he’d just be a rental player. I would rather move him to an American League team interested in a DH/RF.
please read the post before contradicting it so matter of factly. I know the Fish would not want Hawpe, thus I said trade Hawpe to a team that needs an outfield rental with the knowledge he’s a possible Type B free agent. That should net the Rockies a decent prospect that could then be forwarded on to the Fish for Uggla.The last thing the Rockies want to do is trade pitchers to add a 2nd basemen which would require dropping a position player off their 40 man roster, be it Mora, Giambi or Eldred and losing him for nothing…
So they first need to clear a position player (and IMO Hawpe is the most expendable with the most potential to get decent return).
Yuck, bad move on my part.
Ha. Please tell me who would want a sub 700 OPS backup 3rd baseman or a first baseman who’s done nothing but strike out his entire career. Giambi is here to stay, but keeping Eldred on the roster isn’t a great idea considering his past (home runs or not, that kind of average in CS won’t translate to a consistent MLB future), and Mora has been proven to be bad at any other position than 3rd, where Stewart is. Having Uggla over those two is a tremendous improvement, and both should be gone when Tulo comes back.
Besides, unless the trade were for Friedrich, Matzek, or Chacin, the trade wouldn’t mortgage the pitching future. We have a gigantic pitching surplus in the minors and we should take advantage of it and trade off guys like Rogers who would be blocked.
C- Olivo/ Ianetta
1B- Helton
2B- Uggla
3B- Stewart
SS- Tulowitski
LF- Gonzalez
CF- Fowler
RF- Hawpe
With
Jimenez
Francis
Cook
NLCS favorites
Wouldn’t you rather have De La Rosa or Hammel instead of Cook?
I don’t understand the end of the article with the whole Red Sox and Phillies thing. I don’t see the Red Sox being linked to Uggla because where is he going to go when Pedroia gets healthy? Just because he was linked to them in the offseason as a possible LF target doesn’t mean that would work. And same thing goes for the Phils. Where does he go when there regulars get back? As for the Rockies though, it makes perfect sense and he would thrive at Coors.
If Pedroia’s fractured foot bone breaks off, he’s out for the season, so I think it makes sense to inquire on Uggla. He could play third base in 2011 if Beltre does not return. Utley’s return being expected in late August, I don’t see why they wouldn’t look into it.
Yeah, good point but he’s been off it. According to reports at least. Guess we’ll know when he gets his next CT scan which is Friday, just in time for Theo to start laying groudwork for moves maybe? In an article on NESN, Pedroia said he hopes to be back by the end of July, but again, depends what the CT scan on Friday says.
Very surprised they’ve made Ross available over Uggla
Marlins will have a high price tag on Uggla and that goes for every team.
I really hope Ugla winds up in Boston or on the Rockies. His numbers would go way up and help my fantasy team so much.
Ianetta for Uggla?? i know thats asking alot, but come on, Uggs gives you 30+ HR and 90+ RBI every year
I wouldn’t say thats asking a lot to be honest. Ianetta has not lived up to what everyone makes him out to be, but he has shown signs of steps in the right direction. Still young, giving him time to develop into a solid player.
I wouldn’t say thats asking a lot to be honest. Ianetta has not lived up to what everyone makes him out to be, but he has shown signs of steps in the right direction. Still young, giving him time to develop into a solid player.
Cantu and/or Uggla would be nice. The way Helton has unforunately been declining, it may be a good idea to look at Cantu as a solid, proven option at 1st base that won’t cost you 15m/yr like a Prince Fielder. Don’t get me wrong, I love Helton and hope he can find his form like he seemed to last year, but age does catch up to you eventually…I know he has a crazy contract and it may not make much sense, but why not reduce helton’s playing time so he’s not an everyday player, and then begin to shift his role to a player/manager(assistant..or coach) and/or give him a role within the organization’s front office? I could see something like this happening (it’s not likely but it would keep him as part of the club, he could still contribute, and even be part of the roster so that his huge contract does not completely go to waste) Anyway my point was with Cantu who has been made available for trade could be a productive offensive player for the future. I know this would possibly block the young fellow Eldred from coming up, but if Helton can’t be out there every day and Giambi decides to move on or retire after the season, do you really feel comfortable with an aging Mora at 1st if we could keep him? Just things to think about…
And as for Uggla, he’d be a nice addition too..he beats the crud out of the ball and could also be a very powerful addition to the bating order.
I also like the Anabel Sanchez idea Tomcat mentioned too.
If we are to keep a hold of Hawpe we could move him to 1st base next year. I know its been awhile but he was a first baseman in college. With that move you can keep Mora as a utility player and it also opens a spot in the outfield for Smith/Spilborghs. I would be very happy with a move like that.
If a move is not made for a Cantu or Uggla or any infielder for that matter before the deadline, i agree hawpe to first needs to happen!
If a move is not made for a Cantu or Uggla or any infielder for that matter before the deadline, i agree hawpe to first needs to happen!
I do like the idea of Helton being in management or front office. Let him be the hitting coach! The guys all love him and respect him (dont rip me for that, just a thought lol). Eldred is no young gun, hes 29. He was up and down the MLB/Triple-A when Tracy was in Pitt., he just hasnt made a lasting impression on a MLB club so im not trusting the idea of him sticking around long term but if he can prove me wrong by all means please do! The idea of Mora playing 1B gives me nightmares, it just can not happen. I really like the idea of Cantu and if you can get a package of Cantu/Uggla it would do wonders for this team. Barmes as the UTL and Helton and Cantu swapping time, Cantu can play 3B too so there is playing time to be had for both Cantu and Uggla. It would take a lot i feel….Cantu/Uggla for a combination of 3 of the following, Ianetta/Rogers/EYJ/Nelson/Wheeler/Garner. Just an idea, who knows what ideas the teams are talking about. One thing is for sure, if Rox can get either of these guys they are going in the right direction.
Look we need 1 guy on offense. Our options:
Wiggington: Could be had for a package around Rogers with maybe a throw in.
Cantu: Could be had at a similar price
Uggla: Rogers plus Ianetta or Young with maybe a guy like miller might be able to get us a good arm as well
Fielder: Just for the hell of it Miller, Eldred, Nelson, rogers, Ianetta, and maybe Greg Smith would get him if we coughed up the money.
Out of all of those options I think that Cantu is the safest guy to acquire.He has been a very consistent hitter that can be counted on to deliver around 100 rbi’s a season, and as a few of you mentioned, he can play a couple positions if needed. So some versatility and consistency are key points when looking at Cantu.Now the ultimate utility man would be Wiggington. He can be streaky at times and may also be injury prone..but most often when/where he plays he is a fairly solid option.Fielder will cost way too much for a couple of months and would not likely resign. Although his power numbers in Coors would be devastating to opposing teams.Uggla would be nice at 2nd base but I don’t think he’s as flexible in shifting positions if the man (Tulo) goes down like he did. His Power numbers are nice, but his average may be a little low..He is having a great season so far hitting for both avg & power.And as Robert stated above, Hawpe could be an option at 1st if you could resign him.I suppose that could be an issue for many of these guys depending upon contract situations and how much control you could have over the rights to the players for the next so many years. I don’t think that the Rockies will trade for anyone that they know will walk at the end of the season….Cliff Lee would have been the 1 guy that they should have taken the chance on..but I bet that if they did get him, they probably would have been able to work out an extension.. On a final note..regardless of what you heard about the Phillies situation, they didn’t even try work anything out with the guy (Cliff Lee)… and based on what was reported about his arrival in Seattle, Lee asked about a contract extension pretty early on..but the Mariners didn’t seem to want to go that route.. I’m just amazed at how you could bounce such a good pitcher around like that..that would make me want to stay where ever I finally landed…. So Texas won that lottery and if all goes right in the world, the Rockies will end up facing the guy in the WS…
Out of all of those options I think that Cantu is the safest guy to acquire.He has been a very consistent hitter that can be counted on to deliver around 100 rbi’s a season, and as a few of you mentioned, he can play a couple positions if needed. So some versatility and consistency are key points when looking at Cantu.Now the ultimate utility man would be Wiggington. He can be streaky at times and may also be injury prone..but most often when/where he plays he is a fairly solid option.Fielder will cost way too much for a couple of months and would not likely resign. Although his power numbers in Coors would be devastating to opposing teams.Uggla would be nice at 2nd base but I don’t think he’s as flexible in shifting positions if the man (Tulo) goes down like he did. His Power numbers are nice, but his average may be a little low..He is having a great season so far hitting for both avg & power.And as Robert stated above, Hawpe could be an option at 1st if you could resign him.I suppose that could be an issue for many of these guys depending upon contract situations and how much control you could have over the rights to the players for the next so many years. I don’t think that the Rockies will trade for anyone that they know will walk at the end of the season….Cliff Lee would have been the 1 guy that they should have taken the chance on..but I bet that if they did get him, they probably would have been able to work out an extension.. On a final note..regardless of what you heard about the Phillies situation, they didn’t even try work anything out with the guy (Cliff Lee)… and based on what was reported about his arrival in Seattle, Lee asked about a contract extension pretty early on..but the Mariners didn’t seem to want to go that route.. I’m just amazed at how you could bounce such a good pitcher around like that..that would make me want to stay where ever I finally landed…. So Texas won that lottery and if all goes right in the world, the Rockies will end up facing the guy in the WS…
Look we need 1 guy on offense. Our options:
Wiggington: Could be had for a package around Rogers with maybe a throw in.
Cantu: Could be had at a similar price
Uggla: Rogers plus Ianetta or Young with maybe a guy like miller might be able to get us a good arm as well
Fielder: Just for the hell of it Miller, Eldred, Nelson, rogers, Ianetta, and maybe Greg Smith would get him if we coughed up the money.
Dan Haren is another option, as i’ve previously commented, and Fielder is just wishful thinking he could be in the 4 hole for years to come if the monforts just coughed up the money. Look at this devastating lineup
Fowler
Herrera
Tulowitzki
Fielder
Gonzalez
Hawpe
Olivo
Stewart
Smith
WOW