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.
Let’s wait and see.
who the hell is going to play short, that light hitting Iglesias?
i think “light” is being very generous in regards to iglesias
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.
Aviles would be my first pick with Punto in the wings. Iglesias should not be on the big league club to start the season.
Yeah, Ben, who needs a shortstop.
yeah, not like shortstop was ever an important position, and not like the rockies have any shortstops under contract for 8 more years already
Scutaro will play second.
thanks bud, thought Tulo was sweatin’
nahhh really?
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.
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 =
Only reason this makes much sense is if Oswalt is ready to put pen to contract for Boston.
wow! who’s playing ss?
Do you guys think that this open SS up to Iglesias?
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.
Mortensen is probably around 10-12 on the Rockies depth chart. Trust me, this one would be an absolute steal.
Mortensen doesn’t offer much, but maybe we can afford Oswalt if it goes through.
i dont think cherington really had any kind of plan. just winging it day by day.
Yeah I’m sure Red Sox ownership entrusted the future of a franchise to a guy who would “wing it”.
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*
Lugo didn’t float your boat? Renteria?
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?
I want Tyler Matzek!
if they somehow bring Hanley, this would be good..otherwise..not sold on this trade
nothing like high expectations….
they wont
I wouldn’t hold your breath on that one.
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
Redsox aren’t trading Lavarnway… Not for Pennington by any means
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.
if that happens, cherington would be the crazy one
Is “rumblings of” code for “I made this up?”
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.
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.
Aviles and punto would platoon at ss.
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.
He wasn’t good with the Rockies in 2011, either.
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.
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.
There is no way the Red Sox will be upgrading their SS position.
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
Between Aviles and Punto we can have a solid offense/defense split.
To me the smarter thing would of been getting some OF help back in the trade. Then we can sign Oswalt.
Don’t forget CC won’t be in LF to start the year. That leaves an OF of McDonald, Ellsbury, and Sweeney.
There’s still a chance Crawford could be ready for opening day and if not he’s only likely to miss 1-2 weeks at most.