LaTroy Hawkins, 42, is the oldest active player in the game, but he nearly walked away before his career got started, writes Tracy Ringolsby of MLB.com. Hawkins is expected to retire after the season with the 10th most appearances in major league history – 1,042 regular season games. Hawkins was upset when the Twins sent him back to rookie ball to start the 1992 season, but his grandfather talked him out of quitting with a typical grandfatherly quote, “Where you going to stay? I don’t let quitters stay in my house.” Hawkins was also peeved after the club sent him back to Triple-A early in the 1995 season. Despite a 21 season career, Hawkins has yet to win a World Series. He’ll need the Blue Jays to recover from their two-game deficit in the ALDS.
- Padres GM A.J. Preller will need a new bag of tricks this offseason, writes Corey Brock of MLB.com. Last year, Preller memorably traded many of San Diego’s top prospects for major league reinforcements like Justin Upton, Craig Kimbrel, and Matt Kemp. The highly visible approach did not pay dividends, and now the club must retool (mostly) without the help of prospect chips. The team is likely to lose Upton and Ian Kennedy via free agency, but most of the core is under contract for 2016. Preller indicated that left-handed bats, left-handed pitching, and a true shortstop may be among the top priorities.
- The Rockies have a familiar problem to address this offseason – starting pitching. Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post reports that the rotation was actually worse than the 2014 version. Rockies starters posted a league worst 5.27 ERA and 4.87 FIP this season. Last year, they were second worst with a 4.89 ERA although their 4.54 FIP was still ranked last. Colorado pitchers certainly work with a handicap (called Coors Field), but the club needs to eventually figure out a way to get better pitching. GM Jeff Bridich seems to be betting on the current staff, per Saunders. Agent Scott Boras offered his own opinion, saying “They have to find a top, veteran arm…They have good, young pitchers. But they have before, too. And they’re all three (years) and out.”
LaTroy Hawkins was a punchline to every joke back in 1995. It was really cool to see him settle in as a good setup guy for Guardado and move on to a very long and mostly successful career. I’d like to see him stick around until he finds a WS ring.
I like Boras’ insight. “The only way the Rockies are ever going to succeed is if they quit trying to develop pitchers and just win the auction for one of my clients.”
Honestly, Scott Boras is right. The Rockies need veteran arms and the only way they are coming to Colordo is 1) via trade or 2) outspending in free agency.
The Rocks tried outspending before with terrible results: Hampton, Kile & Neagle. Col went to the WS with mostly home-grown pitching talent. Naturally Boros wants them to be out overpaying for pitchers.
“Have Arm, Will Travel” Hawkins has had a wonderful career. Only one year he missed time due to injury. A starter two years, but mostly a setup guy who could step into the closer’s role. Picked up a LOT of good paychecks!