The Rockies are in the midst of an awful 45-70 season, but a strong offseason could help turn them around, Paul Swydan of FanGraphs writes. Swydan argues that the Rockies should let Michael Cuddyer, Jorge De La Rosa and Brett Anderson depart via free agency, then spend the savings on Russell Martin and on a couple of ground-ball-throwing, mid-grade free agent pitchers, like Justin Masterson and Francisco Liriano. Non-tendering Jhoulys Chacin and dealing for Jon Niese would also help improve the Rockies’ rotation. Here’s more from around the big leagues.
- Mariners utilityman Willie Bloomquist will miss the remainder of the season with a microfracture in his right knee, Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times tweets. Bloomquist is making $2.8MM in the first year of a two-year deal, and he hit .278/.297/.346 in 136 plate appearances this season.
- Austin Jackson’s departure in the David Price deal could make the Tigers especially likely to sign Cuban 2B/OF Rusney Castillo, MLB.com’s Jason Beck tweets. The addition of Price brought them another top-flight starting pitcher but created an opportunity to improve in their outfield. Castillo has also been connected to a huge number of other teams, holding private workouts for many of them.
- Chris Colabello may be near the end of the line with the Twins, Mike Berardino of the Pioneer Press writes. The Twins recently optioned Colabello to Triple-A Rochester, and after a .229/.282/.380 performance in 220 plate appearances with them this season, he could soon be designated for assignment. Colabello is a great story — he spent seven seasons playing independent baseball before signing with the Twins as a 28-year-old and making it to the big leagues at 29. But as a 1B/OF/DH type who hasn’t hit much, he’s struggled to get established in the big leagues.
- GM Sandy Alderson says the Mets’ recent moves, including designating Chris Young for assignment and replacing him by promoting Matt den Dekker, do not suggest that his team is giving up on the 2014 season, Marc Carig of Newsday reports. The Mets will find playing time for den Dekker and more of it for Kirk Nieuwenhuis and Wilmer Flores. “I’ve tried to be honest with myself about that,” says Alderson. “And I have not concluded that this is a step back from competition.” The Mets remain on the outer fringes of the playoff race, seven games back of the last Wild Card spot. Of course, given that Young, for example, was hitting .205/.283/.346 before he was designated, it’s not likely that someone like den Dekker is even a downgrade, and Niewenhuis and Flores are supplanting underperforming players (Eric Young Jr. and Ruben Tejada) as well.
I was really hoping Colabello would stick. He played for the independent team in my home town and he was a lot of fun to watch at the plate. Oh well.
I don’t understand the thinking behind Colorado letting pitchers go and spending the “savings” on other pitchers.
Those other pitchers have to be interested in coming to Colorado. There are likely to be other teams who don’t play a mile above sea level who are interested in signing those pitchers, probably for around the same salary that Colorado would be looking to get them at.
Unless they don’t believe he can be healthy and contribute at all, Colorado should probably pick up Anderson’s option just to have a legitimate major league pitcher in their rotation.
do the rockies have anything the mets would want besides cargo or tulo.. otherwise i dont see them trading there only LHP in there rotation. i see the mets trying to win next season with the return of harvey. so i doubt a minor league player would work
The Mets have always been interested in Wilin Rosario. I could see a Rosario + Josh Rutledge package make the Mets at the very least think about it.
Niese is not that good the Rockies could get a lot out of them because a lot of teams are looking for a 2nd baseman (Rutledge.)
I know the pirates don’t spend a lot of money but I have a hard time believing they’ll let Martin walk without making a strong offer. They have a good team and good coach, giving Martin a chance to win in what will likely be the last big deal of his career, and he’s one of the teams leaders. Plus the pirates have no choice whatsoever but to sign him even if it means keeping him a year or 2 past his prime. Tony Sanchez has proven he’s not a starter and any other catcher in our system is years away
The Bucs would likely go at least 3/40 for Martin with an option for a 4th year. Bucs are ready to win now, Rockies aren’t, so I don’t see why Rockies would pay dearly for a C until they’re ready to compete. I’d fully expect Dodgers, RedSox to open their wallets though, so Bucs will have an uphill fight.
Why the red sox? Vasquez plays great D and Swihart should be up some time next season
Handling of young staff, mostly. Plus Martin is a 4+WAR catcher who gets on base a lot.
Agreed. Red Sox would be fine just bringing back Ross on a 1yr deal with Vazquez as the starter
I’d LOVE to believe that the Pirates will make a legit play for Russell this winter, but I don’t have faith that they will. I seriously believe they still think Tony Sanchez can handle the full-time ML gig in 2015 and hold it down for a few years until one of the other big catching prospects is ready. Martin has been such a huge piece, I will hate to see him go.
Niese would cost the Rockies a lot! Ether for Tulo or cargo or good prospects
What? Even as I Mets fan, the Mets would have to give up way more than just Niese for Tulo. Cargo, sure, but only because he’s been abysmal this season.
Tulo is under 30, putting up an MVP season, and simply put is the best shortstop in the game. Despite the fact that he’s owed over $100M, Niese is not nearly enough to take Tulo away.
I know niese couldn’t get the Rockies dynamic two unless he was with other players!
Maybe…. Kevin Pleckei, Sydargaard, Smith, and Niese/ DeGrom for Tulo and cash
Remember when people were clamoring for Colabello to make the All-Star team in April…? Proof positive that All-star voting should not start anywhere near that early (see: Bryan LaHair)
They should have shopped Blackmon with his inflated stats due to his hot start. I think he will cool down even more and hold little value moving on.
what about niese for david dahl?
Martin is a must-resign for the Pirates. Has been one of the big reasons for their recent success