THURSDAY: Kouzmanoff has elected free agency after clearing waivers, MLBTR has learned. Word is that multiple teams are interested in signing him to a big league deal.
TUESDAY: The Rockies are in the process of outrighting third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff from the roster, MLBTR has learned. The 30-year-old third baseman is expected to reach free agency once he clears waivers.
The alternative for Colorado would have been to tender Kouzmanoff a contract and pay him at least $3.8MM for 2012. Since that's not in the cards, they're removing him from the 40-man roster now rather than wait until the December 12th non-tender deadline.
The Rockies had acquired Kouzmanoff on August 25th, giving him a 27-game trial for the remainder of the season. He has a .243/.284/.389 line for 2010-11, failing to match the moderate power he showed in San Diego. The offensive issues will hurt Kouzmanoff's earning power, though his defense is above-average according to UZR.
like that’s a surprise!?!
This guy can’t get a break. Didn’t he rake in the short time he was in Col? Might as well pack his bags and head for Japan or something, maybe he can catch on to a team that isn’t so A.D.D
.255/.315/.398 in COL
If you consider .255/.315/.398 “raking,” then sure.
Maybe raking his lawn or some other applicable joke.
I would like to see him in Milwaukee!!
no
Welcome to the Cubs, Kouz.
or: Welcome to the Orioles.
the whitesox might give him a shot at spring training…he will be cheap has shown good power in the past and if morell has a set back or if they fell morell is best suited at 2nd(read an article by baseball reference or fangraphs a few months ago, dont remember which one. Said he his future is probably best suited for a move to second and beckham either traded, sent back down to figure it out or sent back down to work on 3rd or SS again. He would be a nice stop gap.
Kouz could actually get some kind of non guaranteed deal around 2-2.5m with incentives based on playing time and choose his team this off season with so many teams needing a 3B. The Fish could use a productive 3B as well who can field, problem is Kouz would be stuck back in a horrible offensive stadium like his early days in San Diego.
Hope he chooses a place friendly to hitters is all am saying with the choices aplenty out there this winter.
Kevin Kouzmanoff has characteristics that make you want to believe but the larger the sample size you get the more you realize he’s not an answer to your everyday offensive needs. He flashed big at the end at Colorado but did little most of the time. He’s not the solution at 3B either for the Rockies.
Rockies Analyst (google)
Could see Kouzmanoff on a one year deal with the Dodgers or Angels. Does this mean the Rox are going to give Stew another spin at third in 2012 or are they going to spin their wheels with Wiggy again?
Neither, Stew will be non tendered and Wiggi will be on the block, if he comes back next yr he will be in the role he was for the majority of 2011, a UTL. Look for O’Dowd to not necessarily make a big splash for a 3B (unless it’s the perfect deal for a D. Wright for ex.) but to find someone who has had success in past, a crafty vet. I see O’Dowd focusing on pitching more than anything, but just my opinion.
Casey Blake perhaps? Or too old/injury prone/upside isn’t better than in house options . . .
Why would the Angels replace Callaspo w/ Kouzmanoff? He is not the answer to the Angels needs at 3B
The Dodgers could be interested, but I’d guess only a utility basis. For that kind of work I’d prefer to see the return of Aaron Miles.
I think that O’Dowd is going to move some payroll around (two big chunks with Helton’s restructure kicking in next year and Cook coming off the books) and then wait for the Mets to make David Wright available.
Maybe he can send Wigginton back to NY as part of that deal.
The only issue is that Wright apparently has an opt-out clause for 2013 if he’s traded, so that would need to be addressed.
But a 3-4-5 that consists of him, CarGo, and Tulo (in whatever order) sounds pretty good to me.
If you’re hoping Kouz somehow winds up on your team, don’t. I watched him with the A’s this year and he was absolutely garbage. Nothing personal against the guy, he just doesn’t have what it takes to be a good big league ballplayer.
Amen!!!
Good luck kouz!!! and by good luck, i mean good luck learning to hit
As a Rockies fan, I’m not banking on Wright for a number of reasons…one, he has a problem staying healthy lately and two, it would take a boatload to get him…it seems as though Stewart is going to get yet another opportunity to prove himself…all the potential in the world; starting to really question what’s going on between the ears though…
Oh no (multiple teams interested). That has Ned Colletti written all over as someone interested.