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Discussion: Brad Hawpe

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At the beginning of baseball's offseason, Rockies GM Dan O'Dowd said that while he was willing to listen to trade offers for Brad Hawpe, the team had no desire to move its right fielder. With the Rockies looking like a strong playoff contender, there's a good chance they'll maintain that stance throughout the 2010 season. On a Colorado roster with a loaded outfield, however, Hawpe will be an interesting case going forward.

An underrated source of offensive production, the 30-year-old has been extremely consistent for the Rockies, compiling a .288/.384/.518 slash line and averaging 25 homers over his last four seasons. His play in the outfield is another story. Hawpe's -25.9 UZR/150 last season was a league-worst mark among qualifying fielders, but was actually an improvement over his -46.6 UZR/150 in 2008. Given his poor defense and his struggles against left-handers (.243/.337/.438 in 2009), Hawpe will likely cede some playing time to lefty killers Dexter Fowler and Ryan Spilborghs.

Hawpe will earn a reasonable $7.5MM salary this year. His club option for 2011, which he could void in the event of a trade, is a little pricier, at $10MM (with a $500K buyout). The Rockies could decide at year's end to decline Hawpe's option, turning instead to their younger, cheaper talent. The team has no shortage of outfield options, including Carlos Gonzalez, Seth Smith, Fowler, and Spilborghs.

If you were O'Dowd, how would you handle Hawpe in 2010? Is he a trade candidate this season? Is his offense strong enough to make up for his defense? Are his services worth the $9.5MM it would cost the Rockies to retain him for 2011?

Ramon Vazquez’s Future

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Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette reported yesterday that the Pirates have designated Ramon Vazquez for assignment. Though the move allows the team ten days to attempt to trade Vazquez, it is more likely that the infielder will be released. In that case, a new club could acquire Vazquez at a reduced cost, with the Pirates on the hook for the remainder of the $2MM he is owed in 2010.

Trade rumors surrounded Vazquez for most of the winter, with the Orioles and Rangers mentioned as possible suitors. Both teams have added utility infielders of their own in recent weeks, meaning any interest they had in Vazquez has probably diminished. However, there are still clubs that could be in the market for a cheap utility man. ESPN.com's Rumor Central points out that the Mets or Mariners might have a place for Vazquez, if or when the Pirates release him.

Vazquez signed his current two-year, $4MM deal following a 2008 campaign in which he hit .290/.365/.430 in 347 plate appearances with the Rangers. While his career numbers (.254/.328/.350) suggest lesser offensive production, Vazquez still has some value coming off the bench and playing second base, shortstop, or third base. Freed of his $2MM price tag, Vazquez should be able to catch on with another club looking to add versatility to their bench.

Odds & Ends: Posey, Jamey Wright, Lugo, Hart

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Let's take a look at a few more assorted Friday links….

Discussion: Lance Berkman

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The Houston Astros will be faced with a decision regarding Lance Berkman's future at some point this year. The club holds a $15MM 2011 option for Berkman, and will have to figure out whether they want to retain their switch-hitting slugger or pay him a $2MM buyout.

Berkman and teammate Roy Oswalt have represented the faces of the franchise since the days of Bagwell and Biggio, and the Astros have long resisted entering rebuilding mode. After their payroll exceeded $100MM in 2009, the club spent another $30MM on Major League free agent contracts this winter. Declining Berkman's option could indicate a commitment to the rebuilding process, and may be the prudent financial move as well. Last season, the 34-year-old battled injuries and posted career lows in batting average and slugging percentage, hitting .274/.399/.509.

Berkman, for his part, has talked about seeing "what else is out there" if Houston declines his option. If he were to become a free agent next offseason, Berkman would be an interesting case. 2011's first base class is significantly less enticing than 2012's, which could potentially include Albert Pujols, Adrian Gonzalez, Prince Fielder, and Ryan Howard. Next winter, Berkman's competition in free agency would likely be players such as Derrek Lee, Adam Dunn, Carlos Pena, and Adam LaRoche. Considering the knee problems Berkman has already experienced this spring, it's plausible that he could follow the career trajectory of someone like Vladimir Guerrero, a still-dangerous hitter whose age and health questions have diminished his value.

A plethora of scenarios could play out before Opening Day 2011. Do you see the Astros declining Berkman's option, or perhaps even trying to trade him this season, should they fall out of contention? If Berkman enjoys a relatively healthy 2010 campaign, what sort of contract might he earn next winter, on the verge of turning 35?

Reds Notes: Wells, Chapman, Leake, Balentien, Miles

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A few Reds-related items to round up:

Rangers No Longer Interested In Lowell

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In an appearance on Jim Bowden's XM 175 radio show today, Rangers GM Jon Daniels confirmed that his club no longer has any interest in acquiring Mike Lowell from the Red Sox (link goes to Bowden's Twitter). Daniels says that the team's addition of Ryan Garko off waivers eliminated their need for Lowell.

We had heard conflicting reports regarding Lowell's status lately, with one report stating that talks with the Rangers were heating up, while Sox GM Theo Epstein said there had been little action on the Lowell trade front. Texas had, of course, worked out a deal to acquire Lowell earlier in the winter before it was nixed due to questions about the 36-year-old's health.

A week ago, it appeared that the Rangers and Marlins were the primary candidates to trade for Lowell. However, the Marlins denied any interest, and now that the Rangers have followed suit, it's looking increasingly likely that Lowell will be a Red Sox for the foreseeable future.

Odds & Ends: Rangers, Pirates, Dye, Schoeneweis

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A few Thursday evening links….

Giants Acquire Edwin Escobar From Rangers

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The Rangers have completed a trade for Ben Snyder by sending Edwin Escobar to the Giants, according to a team press release.

Snyder was selected from San Francisco by the Orioles in last year's Rule 5 draft, then immediately dealt to the Rangers as part of the Kevin Millwood–Chris Ray trade. Snyder did not make Texas' opening day roster and was offered back to the Giants, but the Rangers had hoped to work out a deal that would allow them to retain the left-hander. The two sides completed the transaction by sending Escobar, another lefty, from Texas to San Francisco.

The 24-year-old Snyder posted a 2.88 ERA in 97 innings for the Giants' Double A affiliate in 2009, and has been assigned outright to the Rangers' Double A affiliate.

Escobar, meanwhile, turns 18 this month, and has yet to pitch above rookie ball. The Venezuelan left-hander, a relative of Alcides Escobar and Kelvim Escobar, was signed by the Rangers in 2008.

Could Nationals Trade Cristian Guzman?

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After the Nationals named Ian Desmond their starting shortstop at the beginning of this week, Cristian Guzman's role with Washington became a little less clear. Guzman will make more money ($8MM) in 2010 than any National not named Adam Dunn, and is without a starting job. If Desmond holds his own as an everyday starter, the club will be paying $8MM to a utility player.

It's not an ideal situation for the Nationals, but it would be a challenge to move Guzman. In addition to his price tag, the 32-year-old also possesses ten and five rights, meaning he would have to approve any trade the team worked out.

Guzman has said he won't request a trade, and GM Mike Rizzo has insisted that Washington is not attempting to deal him. However, the switch-hitter could provide some value to a contending team as a utility man. In 1359 plate appearances for the Nats since 2007, he has hit .305/.334/.423, and while Fangraphs rates his shortstop defense as consistently slightly below average during his time in Washington, his positional flexibility could come in handy. Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post writes today that the Nationals are trying Guzman in right field in hopes of getting him a few more at-bats.

We've already seen questions this spring regarding the health of star infielders such as Jose Reyes and Brian Roberts, and the Rangers reportedly looked into acquiring Guzman during their search for infield help. It's not hard to imagine depth or injury concerns inspiring a team to make a move for Guzman this season, despite his hefty contract. Do you see it happening? Which club could you imagine pulling off a trade? And what might the cost be, in terms of both money and talent?

Phillies Looking At Tim Redding

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The Phillies are "kicking the tires a bit" on Tim Redding, tweets Troy Renck of the Denver Post. Renck says that Philadelphia was interested in Redding over the winter, before the right-hander signed a minor league deal with the Rockies.

We heard this week that Redding, who was assigned to Colorado's Triple A affiliate, has an opt-out clause in his contract that he can exercise if he finds a spot on another club's 25-man roster.

Following an oblique injury to Joe Blanton, the Phils seem to be looking a little more aggressively at potential starting pitching options around the majors. Still, Renck suggests that the Phillies' interest in Redding isn't overly strong at the moment, and that for now the team plans to replace Blanton in their rotation with Kyle Kendrick. Given the lack of positive reports delivered by Mariners' scouts who watched Redding pitch, Philadelphia could be better off sticking with Kendrick.

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