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Rockies, Red Sox Close To Completing Scutaro Deal

By Mark Polishuk | January 20, 2012 at 4:40pm CDT

The Rockies and Red Sox are "finishing up" a trade that would send Marco Scutaro to Colorado in exchange for a pitcher, reports Troy Renck of the Denver Post (Twitter link).  Renck believes the pitcher heading to Boston could be Clayton Mortensen, whose name was mentioned in previous discussions between the two teams (via Twitter).

Renck reported the deal as being close yesterday, though talks also seemed to fizzle just as quickly.  Today, negotiations restarted as Renck says the Rockies had to "work through financial issues" to fit Scutaro's $6MM salary into the payroll.

Scutaro fills the Rockies' need for a second baseman, as the veteran will return to the position after primarily playing shortstop over the last three seasons.  Scutaro hit .299/.358/.423 in 445 plate appearances with Boston in 2011, and is returning to the NL for the first time since he broke into the Majors with the Mets in 2002-03.

For the Red Sox, the deal frees room in the payroll for the club to pursue a starting pitcher.  It also creates a hole at shortstop, with a Mike Aviles–Nick Punto platoon being the likeliest short-term solution.  Prospect Jose Iglesias could also be in the mix if he has an excellent Spring Training.

Mortensen, 26, was a supplemental first-round pick (36th overall) for the Cardinals in the 2007 draft.  He was part of the trade package the Cardinals sent to the A's in July 2009 in exchange for Matt Holliday.  Mortensen has a 5.12 ERA, a 4.7 K/9 rate and a 3.7 BB/9 rate in 24 Major League games (13 of them starts) with the Rockies, A's and Cardinals.

This post was originally published on January 21st.

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Boston Red Sox Colorado Rockies Transactions Clayton Mortensen Marco Scutaro

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View Comments (44)

Comments

  1. Thomas Cassidy

    11 years ago

    Let’s wait and see.

    Reply
  2. Mike Agogliati

    11 years ago

    who the hell is going to play short, that light hitting Iglesias?

    Reply
    • dudemanbro

      11 years ago

      i think “light” is being very generous in regards to iglesias

      Reply
    • Matthew T

      11 years ago

      I guess you have to ask yourself if you’re okay punting the SS position offensively for the defensive upgrade (however much that might be) plus the likely addition of a pitcher with the money saved.

      Reply
    • Karkat

      11 years ago

      Aviles would be my first pick with Punto in the wings. Iglesias should not be on the big league club to start the season.

      Reply
  3. Karkat

    11 years ago

    Yeah, Ben, who needs a shortstop.

    Reply
    • Snoochies8

      11 years ago

      yeah, not like shortstop was ever an important position, and not like the rockies have any shortstops under contract for 8 more years already

      Reply
      • Thomas Cassidy

        11 years ago

        Scutaro will play second.

        Reply
        • popular_mechanics_for_pitchers

          11 years ago

          thanks bud, thought Tulo was sweatin’

        • Snoochies8

          11 years ago

          nahhh really?

  4. dc21892

    11 years ago

    The problem I see with this is replacing Scutaro. He isn’t the top SS in the game obviously, but he works hard and has had two good seasons in Boston.

    Reply
    • Karkat

      11 years ago

      He was one of the best hitting SS’s in the mjors last season, if we go by wOBA.  Definitely something to be desired from the fielding side of things, but yeah, we could certainly bring his 3 fWAR back to the team this season…

      The only viable solution I see is to shift Aviles to short, but that all means that, until Crawford is healthy, our outfield is fixed with McDonald in left and Sweeney in right =

      Reply
  5. James Attwood

    11 years ago

    Only reason this makes much sense is if Oswalt is ready to put pen to contract for Boston.

    Reply
  6. popular_mechanics_for_pitchers

    11 years ago

    wow! who’s playing ss?

    Reply
  7. Frederick Darwin Quixote

    11 years ago

    Do you guys think that this open SS up to Iglesias?

    Reply
  8. Fishing Bill

    11 years ago

    I think Scutaro will be an above average 2B for the next couple years… but due to his age you’re basically trading a young starting arm who threw half a season of 3.86 ERA ball in COORS FIELD for two years of merely above average 2B.

    Rather or not this is a fair trade depends heavily on how Mortonson develops… and I feel the Rockies may regret trading him as he was fairly impressive last season.

    Reply
    • mkorpal

      11 years ago

      Mortensen is probably around 10-12 on the Rockies depth chart. Trust me, this one would be an absolute steal. 

      Reply
  9. Cory J. Settoon

    11 years ago

    Mortensen doesn’t offer much, but maybe we can afford Oswalt if it goes through.

    Reply
  10. soxxxxx

    11 years ago

    i dont think cherington really had any kind of plan. just winging it day by day.

    Reply
    • vtadave

      11 years ago

      Yeah I’m sure Red Sox ownership entrusted the future of a franchise to a guy who would “wing it”.

      Reply
  11. philpbarnes

    11 years ago

    If this is confirmed, congrats to the Rox. Got a very solid player in Scoot.

    First SS ive liked for years, and hes gone. *sigh*

    Reply
    • popular_mechanics_for_pitchers

      11 years ago

      Lugo didn’t float your boat? Renteria? 

      Reply
  12. bigpat

    11 years ago

    HAY GUYS! Boston is getting Tulo now since they are trading Scutaro!!!

    just kidding…

    It makes sense for Boston to add one more proven pitcher, especially if it’s Oswalt, but Scutaro wasn’t a bad shortstop at all and Iglesias could be a black hole in the 9 spot if they use him this year. They always have Aviles who’s had experience but not much success lately, but who else can they really get at this point?

    Reply
  13. Ben H.

    11 years ago

    I want Tyler Matzek!

    Reply
  14. Jorge Duron

    11 years ago

    if they somehow bring Hanley, this would be good..otherwise..not sold on this trade

    Reply
    • roguesaw

      11 years ago

      nothing like high expectations….

      Reply
    • MaineSox

      11 years ago

       they wont

      Reply
    • EarlyMorningBoxscore

      11 years ago

      I wouldn’t hold your breath on that one. 

      Reply
  15. J.j. Miller

    11 years ago

    If this scutaro deal goes through there’s rumblings of a cliff pennington and balfour swap to boston for lavarnway, lars anderson, 3rd prospect

    is billy beane nuts, more 1b and catchers lol

    1b. barton, allen, carter, anderson, kila
    C. suzuki, recker, powell, norris, lavarnway, donaldson

    Reply
    • Ben H.

      11 years ago

      Redsox aren’t trading Lavarnway… Not for Pennington by any means

      Reply
      • BoSoXaddict

        11 years ago

        I wouldn’t be so sure about that. With 2 catchers already on the roster and Lavarnway slated to start the season at AAA he is certainly not off-limits as a trade chip in the RIGHT deal. That deal with the A’s someone made up, however, is NOT the right deal.

        Reply
    • dudemanbro

      11 years ago

      if that happens, cherington would be the crazy one

      Reply
    • MaineSox

      11 years ago

      Is “rumblings of” code for “I made this up?”

      Reply
    • john

      11 years ago

      Why do the red sox think the A’s want Lars Anderson?  The a’s have 4 1b and is trying to trade 1 because of the surplus.  Plus the A’s have nobody in the system to play SS so he will not get traded.  the 1 player the A’s want from the redsox is midllebrooks.  Without him in the offer no way the A’s make a trade.

      Reply
      • BoSoXaddict

        11 years ago

        The A’s do have some interest in Lars since they were about to aquire him in exchange for Rich Harden last season before the Sox nixed the deal.

        Reply
  16. John Aiello Jr

    11 years ago

    Aviles and punto would platoon at ss.

    Reply
  17. JST1331

    11 years ago

    Despite Mortensen’s 2011 season with the Rockies MLB team he isn’t that good. Even in AAA last year he posted horrible numbers. Rockies will win this deal if it’s final.

    Reply
    • PennMariner

      11 years ago

      He wasn’t good with the Rockies in 2011, either.

      Reply
  18. missyae

    11 years ago

    Wont be Hanley, if they are making moves to save money, you dont go get Hanley now. Probably gonna sign Oswalt and Ross, maybe go with the youngster, Aviles and Punto at SS and take whatever offense they get from the 9 spot. They can afford to lose what Scutaro brought offensively. I like Scut but would rather have Oswalt and Ross.

    Reply
    • Tko11

      11 years ago

      Scutaro is $6million, Oswalt will prob cost around $8million…how are they supposed to get Ross too? This move indicates they are very close to the $178 million limit.

      Reply
  19. Richard Gilboy

    11 years ago

    There is no way the Red Sox will be upgrading their SS position. 

    Reply
  20. touchmymonkey

    11 years ago

    Would be sweet if sox were bluffing about payroll space and just wanted to get rid of scutaro so they can bring back hanley ramirez – not sure if they have anything miami wants though. Ramirez in that lineup would be fun to watch.. not as much fun as hanley and bobby V though

    Reply

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