The Rockies are next in our arbitration eligibles series.
- First time: Ian Stewart
- Second time: Jason Hammel, Manny Delcarmen
- Third time: Clint Barmes, Matt Belisle
The Rockies have two non-tender candidates: Delcarmen and Barmes. They have to decide if Delcarmen is worth a $1MM+ gamble for 2011 after his struggles in 2009-10. The righty dealt with a forearm strain prior to his August 31st trade from Boston. Barmes, operating from a $3.325MM salary this year, is almost certain to be cut loose. He'll improve the free agent market for second basemen, though he'd like to return to the Rockies if he can't find an everyday job.
Stewart's playing time was limited this year due to an oblique injury and the occasional benching against a lefty. He won't be too expensive, and will be retained. Hammel had a solid year, better than his 4.81 ERA suggests. He'll still provide value in 2011. The Rockies' decision to tender Belisle a contract last winter paid off, as he led MLB with 92 relief innings. Belisle posted a 2.93 ERA with strong peripherals, and the Rockies will be glad to have him back.
Cut ties with Barmes. His time is done with the Rox. I’m tired of him teasing us and then letting us down, year after year. I wish him luck elsewhere (St. Louis would be a good fit). Everyone else can stay.
Prediction:
DelCarmen is cut by the Rockies, invited to ST by the Red Sox, and makes the 2011 opening day roster….
I can pretty much guarantee Delcarmen will be retained. They parted with a fairly strong prospect in Chris Balcom-Miller. While not a blue-chip prospect or even top ten guy in the system, he’s not the type of guy Dan O’Dowd would throw away for a one month rental, especially one they didn’t intend on using very much in September. There is no reason to believe that the FO’s opinion of Delcarmen has changed after nine appearances. He was a project when acquired and will continue to be a project for at least another year. With Manny Corpas out for the year, they could use a talented arm to hope and pray will return to form.
To be honest, there isn’t much in terms of arbitration raises for the Rockies right there, though there are certainly built in raises in contracts to Tulo, Ubaldo, Iannetta, etc.