Troy Renck of the Denver Post shared a number of Rockies tidbits with his Twitter followers this afternoon. Here are a few of the hot stove-related highlights…
- There hasn't been much movement in the Martin Prado trade negotiations between the Rockies and Braves but talks aren't "dead" since Atlanta likes outfielder Seth Smith. It would take a package of both Smith and center field prospect Tim Wheeler to acquire Prado but Renck says the Rockies "aren't doing" that particular deal.
- Colorado still has an interest in Jair Jurrjens, but the Braves' asking price could be "prohibitive" in the wake of what the Padres received from the Reds in the Mat Latos deal. The Rockies like Jurrjens "but aren't trading four guys for him."
- If Smith is dealt, Ryan Spilborghs' return to Colorado is "not necessarily" a given. Spilborghs was non-tendered by the Rockies earlier this month but we heard from Renck earlier this month that the club was interested in bringing the outfielder back at a lower salary than what he would've earned through arbitration.
- There is "very little" going on between the Rockies and Cody Ross, as the team is concentrating on finding pitching. Yesterday, a team source denied a Buster Olney report that the Rockies were in contract negotiations with Ross, though Olney specified that Colorado was only interested in Ross in the event that Smith is traded.
- Renck is "not sure" if the Rockies still have any interest in Paul Maholm. The Rockies and Cubs are the only two clubs known to be connected to Maholm this winter. The Cubs can possibly be counted out of the running due to their recent acquisition of Travis Wood, but more spots could open in the Chicago rotation should Matt Garza and/or Randy Wells be dealt.
- The Mariners' interest in Kevin Millwood won't affect the Rockies' pursuit of the veteran right-hander, as the Rockies only "see Millwood at [a] certain price." Of a group of pitchers that also includes Maholm, Jurrjens and Jeff Francis, Renck feels Millwood is the likeliest to join the Rockies.
- Colorado has been one of baseball's busiest teams this offseason, which Renck says is a reflection of the club's "great disappointment with last season" rather than any sense of 2012 being a "final chance" for GM Dan O'Dowd.
I’m glad that Renck has the decency to package Jurrjens in the tier of pitching where he belongs
with that being said i think this should be the opening day roation:
1. Chacin
2. Maholm
3. Hammel
4. Pomeranz
5. White
DLR and Nicasio can replace any 2 of the 5 (likely Hammel and White in my estimation) if they are ready come late May/early June
I don’t see hammel in the rotation
you don’t? kevin slowey has almost the exact same stats as him; one pitched in coors the other at target. go figure. the rockies will be complete idiots to start slowey over hammel
then again i remember the rockies doshed out a ton of cash to get cuddyer, who was essentialy the exact same player as smith except right handed, and now plan to move smith. if that is the same concept the rockies are attempting with hammel…then i’m surprised i have not heard any rumors of it.
Let Smith face lefties for a season and then let’s see what kinda comparison Cuddy/Smith would make.
Compare Cuddy’s favored side to face (left) and then compare that to Smith, see how lopsided that now becomes. They’re far from being essential the same player.
forever alone…
wow
i’m not really quite sure whether this is the best or worst post i’ve ever read
I’d settle for Fowler for JJ. I’d consider Smith+Wheeler+Fowler for Prado+JJ+Hinske.
That’s not four guys. I don’t really want four ok guys, I want one very good one.
There is no way the Rockies trade their starting centerfielder and one of their top centerfield prospects together. And dont say Prado will play center.
Blackmon would play center for the Rockies
No he wouldn’t.
At this point, Wheeler needs to be looked at as at least SOMEWHAT expendable, esp with all 3 OF spots full of Gonzalez, Fowler, and Cuddyer, nevermind utility outfielders like Blackmon.
Slide Cargo to center (his natural position) and sign Ross to play left and split time with blackmon. Along with getting a 2bman which this organization has been looking for, for years and a top of the rotation guy which O’Dowd promised before the offseason started.
Though I would really hate to lose Prado that is a fair offer.
If the Rockies won’t part with Fowler or Wheeler then the Braves have nothing to discuss with the Rockies, unless they are willing to take a mid-tier prospect for Smith (who I really don’t think the Braves need anyway).
My guess is that the Rockies are only willing to offer up garbage players/prospects for Jurrjens and/or Prado. Otherwise a deal would have already been done.
I don’t blame the Rockies for saying no on Fowler, but I don’t get what the big deal is about being so protective of Wheeler. If Wheeler + Smith is all it takes to get Prado, I think the Rox need to jump on it.
I think it’s fair.
Slide Cargo to CF, Cuddy in right and sign Ross to split time with Blackmon in left.
We get the top of the rotation guy O’Dowd said he would chase this offseason and gets a cornerstone at 2B. While the braves get exactly what they need in center along with a talented platoon/late inning guy in Smith and a talented prospect in Wheeler.
One of the most real offers I’ve seen on here concerning these Braves/Rox rumors.
Wheeler for Prado is ridiculous. No way the Rockies fall for that.
Kevin Millwood? Really? Because Kris Benson couldn’t get the day off at Radio Shack?As for the Cubs, I’d really like to see them trade Wells. He won’t bring much return, but I’d much rather see Cashner get another chance at starting. Even Samardzjia would provide a much greater deal of upside than Wells. By mid season, we’ll know what we have with McNutt, and hopefully deal Zambrano.I’m excited for Dylan Maples and Ben Wells in the Cubs rotation.Once the kids from this years strong draft are ready, the Cubs will be contenders.
Prado for Wheeler is ridiculous. There is no way the BRAVES would “fall for that”. If a team wants a top tier starting 2B under team control for two more years then they need to pay up. the Rockies just signed Michael Cuddyer for a big contract, Prado is basically the same player as Cuddyer, just younger and less expensive. It would take Wheeler plus another good prospect to get a player like Prado.
Perhaps if Atlanta were selling high, that would be the case. However, they aren’t. He had a down year by his standards. Don’t get me wrong, Martin Prado is a hell of a ballplayer. Especially, for a middle infielder.
But, if I’m a Rockies fan, I wouldn’t overpay when the farm system is already ripe with toolsy position players. They’d be better off standing pat, instead of overpaying.
This is why I think a deal won’t happen. Both sides are willing to stand pat if needbe. I don’t think the Braves NEED to sell now, and if they did, they’d sell JJ before Prado.
Good point. They’re both well run organizations with a surplus of talent in the farm. Jurrgens would be suited to a win-now, big market club willing to overpay in high end bullpen guys, and power hitting infielders.
Randy Wells should *absolutely* be traded, for whatever TheoJed can get. He’ll be 30 next year, has had exactly one good season (back in 2009) and one decent one (2010), and this is his first arbitration year already. If he’s even any good anyway, he will cost more than he’s worth and will be in his decline by the time the Cubs are good again anyway.
Why in the hell are we interested in Seth Smith. No one else is, even the Rockies. Passsssss
Cody Ross makes more sense for the Braves than Smith. He is right handed and can play CF.
I agree. But I still wish we could keep Prado around, mainly for next season. I really think they’ll just wait it out, keep Prado in LF and then find someone next year to fill in in CF if they can’t keep Bourn (which I wish they would)…
Just no Seth Smith, please.
That’s what I meant. The Braves should sign Ross and keep Prado….there is no need for a trade at all. Ross would be the 4th OF who would still get plenty of playing time.
I’d take Andruw Jones over Cody Ross. Cheaper as well.
Cody is more expensive. He did want a 3-year deal and because he hasn’t signed yet must mean he’s not relenting in either years or dollars.
I hope it’s another one of those misleading rumors that Frank Wren has a habit of doing. Just like the Jonny Gomes or Hunter Pence rumors from last July… If he’s a major league GM, he should know Prado is much more valuable than Smith.
If you follow this site, you’d see that 2-4 teams outside of ATL are in on Smith, including at some point, SEA & NYM.
So it seems like the Braves sole offseason plan is to continue the Seth Smith rumor until Spring Training?
I like wheeler alot but dont look like rockies are willing to deal him yet who knows and I agree ross is a better fit for braves the seth smith for sure plus you dont have to give up anything for him.
For all the Rockie fans who don’t want to trade Wheeler in order to get Prado. What exactly do you want to trade for Prado? Just Seth Smith? So, Rockies trade their 4th OF (at best) for an everyday 2B which is what they need. Regardless if you want to compare Smith to Prado one for one….you really can’t because Prado is way more valuable to the Rox than Smith…and Braves lost a RH bat in LF for a LH bat in LF…how does that benefit the Braves….it doesn’t. It only benefits the Rockies.
You have to give up something to get something. The Braves would orobably lose the Wheeler_Smith trade this year but benefits them in the futue because Wheeler can play CF on the cheap when Bourn leaves after this season.
totally agree
I agree with this (as I said above).
There’s no motivation to move neither Prado nor Jurrjens. I’m fine with that. Stay pat unless wowed.
I agree with what you said but pointing your statements at Rockies fans is what I disagree with.
My general consensus is most Rox fans are willing to split with Wheeler/Blackmon to get Prado because we understand his value he would bring to CO. The fans saying it shouldn’t take more than Smith are stuck in this video game-like perspective.
Should be Smith, Blackmon, and maybe an A ball pitcher for Prado and an A ball Braves prospect. I could support sending Wheeler instead of Blackmon but then the Braves would need to send a mid range prospect instead of an A ball prospect.
Why do we (ATL) need an A-ball pitcher? We have pitchers coming out of ears at all levels. Considering I see ATL as having the upper hand and not needing to part with Prado (and Jurrjens), I can’t see them giving up a vital part of the team and not upgrading in the next 2 years. Blackmon showed a lot of promise in limited action, but is coming off a season-ending leg injury and is a lefty (and young), while Smith is starting OF on our team, but not on yours.
I’m sure if ATL knows COL would deal Wheeler, they’d sweeten the pot (but not with an untouchable or Jurrjens).
I was just throwing an A-ball pitcher in there as a small way of sweeten the pot. Could be a young position player as well, who knows. But ya I feel as if it would be Wheeler and Smith for Prado and AAAA type player.
I don’t like these rumors at all . The Rockies don’t want to part with Wheeler or Arenado . Fine . Keep Prado and sign Andruw Jones back to Atlanta . The guy can still hit , play average OF defense , and kills LH pitching (something we need and Smith cannot do) . Prado starts the year in LF . When he spells Chipper or Uggla , Jones plays left . You can even use Prado at 1st every once in a while against lefties to spell Freeman . And Jones can do the same for Heyward if he continues to struggle .
Are Braves fans serious? Why do they even mention Arenado in a trade for Prado? Someone has to have a very poor understanding of how baseball works to imagine a solid 2B/UTL player is worth a top 2 prospect who is almost major league ready and who plays a position of need (3B).
If you would read into what I posted , you would notice that I never said anything about a trade in particular where it would be Prado straight up for Arenado . If Arenado would become available , who’s to say that Wren wouldn’t include one of our own prospects to acquire him .
And no one knows how Arenado is gonna pan out once he sees ML pitching . If there were a trade for him , the team acquiring him would be taking a gamble .
And what link can you provide me with that says Arenado is the top 2 prospect in MLB ?
Top 2 prospect…as in you know a top 2 prospect for the franchise he belongs to. And no there is no way he becomes available for another prospect. He would only become available if the Braves were looking to get rid of one of their top major leaguers. Saying Arenado would be traded for Prado and a prospect is like saying Heyward would have been traded to the Rockies for Smith and a prospect. It just doesn’t make sense.
“He would only become available if the Braves were looking to get rid of one of their top major leaguers.”
Prado is to the Braves what Cargo is to the Rockies . Not our best position player . But he is our 2nd or 3rd best position player . So he would be one of our top major leaguers . He would also be insurance for several different positions . He’s quite a bit like Cuddyer , only younger .
I love Prado, but that’s overstating it a bit. Cargo is one of the best players in baseball.
You say he is like Cargo but then say he is a younger Cuddyer. Younger Cuddyer <<<<<<<<Cargo.
Yes, Smith could be compared to Prado if Smith was an All-Star and played more than one position even moderately-well.
Until Prado makes the AS team twice he’s not as good as David Eckstein. I wouldn’t trade anything for David Eckstein…
Prospects may not pan out?? But the Braves have 6 CY winners currently in the minors. Certainly they’ll all pan out…
Prado is an all star 2B not a 2B/Utiity….
The only mention of Arenado so far is talking about COL not trading him.
Dear MLBTraderumors. Please don’t post anything else connecting Prado and The Rockies until a trade actually happens. We are getting sick of this crap.
Why wouldn’t you just not read any threads with prados name in it until something is confirmed?
what is with this “just ignore it” thing??? How can he read “Prado” without reading the thread?? We are readers of this site, therefore we read the sht thats here, and have read it over and over and over. good point, Robert Y.
Rockies Notes: Prado, Jurrjens, Spilborghs, Ross
Look i just read that and didnt have to read the rest of the thread because it doesnt say Prado traded to Rockies. Crazy i know.
your post + your avatar
raaaaaage
omg baseball rumours on a baseball rumour site.. oh the humanity!!!
The rockies would like player X, but “not for his asking price”
The rockies would like pitcher X, but” not willing to trade for him at this point in time”
The rockies would like to win a world series, but “aren’t interested until it’s asking price comes down”
Rockies writer says, “Rockies are going to win a trade and you loser fans are going be hopeful that the Rockies wont squander their good team anymore”