Rockies Notes: Pitching, Fowler, Cuddyer
The Rockies allowed more runs than any other team this past season, so they’ll be looking for starting pitching this offseason. Does that mean they’ll have trade an outfielder? Not necessarily, as Troy Renck of the Denver Post explained earlier today (Sulia links). Here are the details…
- The Rockies would like to obtain a starter who can provide consistency and stability in the rotation, according to Renck. Starters such as Ricky Nolasco and Gavin Floyd could be available in trades this offseason, and there’s always the free agent market.
- Now that the Rockies have acquired infielder Ryan Wheeler from Arizona, they could consider parting with an infielder. They could flip Wheeler or keep him and trade another infielder.
- Outfielders Dexter Fowler and Michael Cuddyer will both draw trade interest in the weeks ahead, Renck writes. While the Rockies will listen to trade offers, they aren’t aggressively shopping either player.
Offseason Outlook: Colorado Rockies
The Rockies will seek pitching in their first offseason under the joint leadership of Bill Geivett and Dan O’Dowd.
Guaranteed Contracts
- Troy Tulowitzki, SS: $144MM through 2020
- Carlos Gonzalez, OF: $71MM through 2017
- Michael Cuddyer, OF: $21MM through 2014
- Jorge De La Rosa, SP: $11MM through 2013
- Todd Helton, 1B: $5MM through 2013
- Rafael Betancourt, RP: $4.5MM through 2013
- Matt Belisle, RP: $4.35MM through 2013
- Ramon Hernandez, C: $3.2MM through 2013
Arbitration Eligible Players (estimated salaries)
- Dexter Fowler, OF: $4MM (second time eligible)
- Jhoulys Chacin, SP: $1.6MM (first time eligible)
- Jonathan Herrera, IF: $800K (first time eligible, non-tender candidate)
- Tyler Colvin, OF: $1.9MM (first time eligible)
- Josh Outman, RP: $600K (first time eligible, non-tender candidate)
Free Agents
As Bill Geivett begins his first offseason leading the Rockies' baseball operations department, the organization faces an intimidating challenge: find a way to improve the worst pitching staff in MLB. If Geivett accomplishes this goal, the Rockies will be that much closer to contending in the increasingly competitive NL West. It's not an easy task.
The Rockies have already completed one of their biggest offseason additions, hiring manager Walt Weiss. The longtime MLB shortstop had been managing his son’s high school team in the Denver area, but the leap isn’t as great as it first sounds. Weiss spent years working as a special assistant to GM Dan O'Dowd after his 14-year playing career ended in 2000.
Now that the Rockies have a field boss in place, they can focus on obtaining rotation help. No team allowed more runs than the Rockies in 2012 and while part of that can be attributed to Coors Field, this team could certainly use more pitching. Jorge De La Rosa and Jhoulys Chacin have had success pitching in Colorado and pitchers such as Juan Nicasio, Drew Pomeranz and Alex White offer some promise. Still, the Rockies must obtain another starter this winter. It probably won’t be a top free agent pitcher — luring the game’s best arms to the thin air of Coors Field has never been easy — but there are still lots of potential targets for the Rockies.
Ricky Nolasco and Gavin Floyd could be trade targets for Colorado. I believe the Rockies should also pursue Jon Niese and Rick Porcello in case there’s a trade to be made for either starter. Free agent starters such as Kevin Correia, Ervin Santana, Roberto Hernandez and Francisco Liriano are some of the low-risk free agents who could appeal to Geivett. These pitchers would provide support in the short term, a worthwhile goal given the team's struggles in 2012. However, it also makes sense for the Rockies to pursue pitchers who project as long-term members of their staff.
The Rockies are deepest in the outfield, meaning players such as Dexter Fowler, Michael Cuddyer and Tyler Colvin could surface in trade talks this winter. At this point it doesn’t sound as though the Rockies will move Carlos Gonzalez.
Interest in Fowler would likely be strong, even at a time that there are many center fielders available via trades and free agency. The Braves seem like a fit for the Atlanta native, since they have enough depth to send a young pitcher to the Rockies. Fowler remains under team control for three more seasons, and he’ll earn considerably less than a free agent during that time. For that reason, the Rockies could look to extend him on a deal that covers his arbitration seasons and some years of free agency. I suggested in August that a five-year, $42MM extension could work for both sides.
Cuddyer and Colvin wouldn’t have as much trade value as Fowler. Still, teams interested in adding offense could inquire about the outfielders. Both Cuddyer and Colvin can play first base, a bonus for teams seeking versatility. Plus, the Rockies could part with offense more easily than most teams. Even without much production from Troy Tulowitzki the Rockies ranked third in the National League in runs scored this past season.
Giambi, a fixture on the bench since 2009, hasn't decided what his next step will be. The Rockies clearly like Giambi lots — enough to sign him as a free agent three times and consider him for their managerial opening — but he's not a logical fit on the roster. They already have one aging, left-handed hitting first baseman in Todd Helton, so there could come a time when Giambi’s skillset simply doesn’t fit.
The Rockies will also need relief help, though none of their most relied upon relievers are departing as free agents. That said, it doesn't make sense for the mid-market Rockies to invest a significant portion of their budget in relief help. Relievers Kyle Farnsworth, Ramon Ramirez and Brandon Lyon might be among the free agent options available on short-term contracts.
Colorado's class of arbitration eligible players includes two non-tender candidates: Josh Outman and Jonathan Herrera. It's possible Herrera and other Rockies infielders will draw trade interest this offseason given the lack of free agent infielders available. Other than Fowler, the group doesn't include any obvious extension candidates.
The Rockies will pursue pitching this offseason in an attempt to restore some balance to their roster. They don't have to have an elite pitching staff, but they must make significant improvements before they can expect to win more games than they lose.
Photo courtesy of US Presswire.
Today’s Outrights: LaPorta, Lillibridge, Rockies
Teams have until tonight at 10:59 PM CST to set their 40-man rosters before the Rule 5 draft, hence explaining the flurry of transactions around the majors today. Here are the players who have been outrighted off their teams' 40-man rosters, with the most recent at the top of the page (all roster moves were announced by the teams unless otherwise stated)….
- The Indians outrighted Matt LaPorta and Brent Lillibridge to Triple-A Columbus. According to MLB.com's Jordan Bastian (via Twitter), Lillibridge has the option to refuse the assignment and become a free agent.
- The Rockies have outrighted Andrew Brown and Matt McBride to Triple-A Colorado Springs.
- The Astros have outrighted infielder Scott Moore to Triple-A Oklahoma City. Moore has the option of accepting the assignment or electing free agency.
- Cubs right-hander Carlos Gutierrez has cleared waivers and been assigned outright to Triple-A Iowa.
Rockies, Diamondbacks Swap Reynolds, Wheeler
The Diamondbacks and Rockies announced that they've agreed to a trade that sends left-handed reliever Matt Reynolds to Arizona for infielder Ryan Wheeler.
Reynolds, 28, appeared in 71 games for the Rockies in 2012. He posted a 4.40 ERA with 8.0 K/9 and 2.7 BB/9 in 57 1.3 innings. He's not yet arbitration eligible. Wheeler, 24, made his MLB debut in 2012. He appeared in 50 games, posting a .239/.294/.339 batting line in 119 plate appearances. He also posted a .351/.388/.572 batting line in 399 plate appearances at Triple-A this past season.
NL West Notes: Ryu, Affeldt, Giambi, Rockies
Buster Posey was named the NL MVP today, becoming the first Giant since Barry Bonds in 2004 to capture the leagues highest honor. It was a solid year overall for the NL West when it came to postseason awards, as Clayton Kershaw and Wade Miley each had runner-up finishes in the NL Cy Young and Rookie of the Year races, respectively.
Here's the latest from around the division…
- Scott Boras introduced client Hyun-Jin Ryu to the media (including Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times) today and compared Ryu to Mark Buehrle in terms of body size and ability. The Dodgers won the rights to the Korean southpaw with a $25.737MM posting bid and have until December 10 to work out a contract, or else Ryu will return to the Korean Baseball Organization. As Hernandez notes, Boras and Ryu were both vague about the likelihood of Ryu signing with L.A., though the Buehrle comparison could be a hint about Boras' contract expectations.
- Janie McCauley of the Associated Press (Twitter link) has the salary breakdown of Jeremy Affeldt's new three-year contract with the Giants. Affeldt receives a $3MM signing bonus and will earn $5MM per season in 2013-15.
- Jason Giambi withdrew his name from consideration to be the Rockies' next hitting coach, and Giambi told Troy Renck of the Denver Post that "it could be a PR nightmare" if the team struggles under new manager Walt Weiss and Giambi (a finalist for the manager's job) is already on the staff. Giambi had said he wanted to keep playing if the Rockies didn't hire him to manage but now admits to Renck that "I have no idea what I am going to do next."
- The Rockies have finalized their 2013 coaching staff, reports Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post. Jim Wright, the club's pitching coach in 2002, returns to the job after most recently serving as Colorado's bullpen coach.
Rockies Not Planning To Trade Tulowitzki Or Gonzalez
While the Red Sox and Marlins have both completed major payroll-clearing deals over the last few months in order to rebuild, the last-place Rockies have no plans to deal either Troy Tulowitzki or Carlos Gonzalez, reports Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. The Rockies want to keep their offense strong and, while the team is desperate for pitching, their specific need for controllable groundball pitchers who can handle Coors Field leaves them with a limited number of trade options, even for All-Star talents like Tulowitzki and Gonzalez.
Both players signed major extensions within a three-month span in late 2010-early 2011 and appeared to be installed as franchise cornerstones for the next decade. Tulowitzki had already been locked up through 2013 but his new contract guarantees him $144MM through the 2020 season, which includes a $4MM buyout of a $15MM team option for 2021. Gonzalez is still owed $71MM through the 2017 campaign on the seven-year, $80MM extension he signed before the 2011 season. Neither player has no-trade protection, though they will each receive a bonus (Tulowitzki $2MM, Gonzalez $1MM) if they are dealt.
Besides the salaries, both players carry some red flags. Tulowitzki missed the last four months of the 2012 season due to a groin injury, while Gonzalez's success could be due to his hitter-friendly home ballpark — Gonzalez has a career 1.054 OPS at Coors Field and just a career .735 OPS on the road.
Marlins Shopping Morrison; Nolasco May Be Traded
The Marlins aren’t done yet. One day after agreeing to a blockbuster trade with the Blue Jays, they’re shopping outfielder/first baseman Logan Morrison, according to Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post (on Twitter). Furthermore, several general managers expect Ricky Nolasco to be traded as well.
The Yankees are among the teams with an interest in Nolasco, Erik Boland of Newsday reports (on Twitter). The right-hander has one year and $11.5MM remaining on his contract with Miami. The Rockies had interest in Nolasco last winter and could inquire about him, Troy Renck of the Denver Post suggested this morning (on Twitter).
The Marlins do not intend to trade Giancarlo Stanton, MLB.com's Joe Frisaro reports. The sides are not currently discussing a long-term deal, but the slugger "pretty much remains untouchable" for 2013, according to Frisaro.
West Notes: Headley, Gregerson, Dodgers, Iwakuma
Today we celebrate Veterans Day, a day to recognize every person who serves our nation valiantly in the defense of our freedom and liberty whether it be in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, or National Guard. Thank you kindly to all who have served and are currently serving at home and overseas. John Schlegel of MLB.com explains how the national pastime is forever linked with the nation's armed forces and uses, as an example, the statue of Jerry Coleman erected by the Padres this past September. The pose wasn't inspired by Coleman's playing days or by his Hall of Fame broadcasting career, but of his tour of duty as a Marine pilot during World War II. Here's the latest news on the Padres and the other NL and AL West division teams:
- Bill Center of the San Diego Union-Tribune believes it would take at least four years and $36-40MM to extend NL MVP finalist Chase Headley. Last month, MLBTR's Tim Dierkes examined the parameters of an extension for Headley.
- Also from Center's recent online chat with fans, the Padres could use their bullpen depth to acquire starting pitching with Luke Gregerson being a prime trade chip. If Gregerson is dealt, Andrew Cashner and Brad Brach would be internal candidates to take over as closer if Huston Street suffered an injury, according to Center.
- The Dodgers could place Aaron Harang and Chris Capuano on the trading block if they are able to sign Hyun-Jin Ryu and are satisfied Ted Lilly has recovered from shoulder surgery or Chad Billingsley has avoided Tommy John elbow surgery after suffering a partially torn ligament, reports MLB.com's Ken Gurnick.
- The best and only chance for new Rockies manager Walt Weiss to succeed is to change the defeatist mind-set about the altitude and make it their greatest home-field advantage, opines Mark Kiszla of the Denver Post.
- Right-hander Hisashi Iwakuma will not participate in the 2013 World Baseball Classic, so as to better focus on his second season with the Mariners, writes Greg Johns of MLB.com referencing a report from Japan's Kyodo News Agency. Iwakuma, who recently signed an extension with the Mariners, joins countryman Yu Darvish in deciding not to pitch for Japan, the two-time WBC defending champion.
Quick Hits: Rays, LaRoche, Orioles, Kinsler, Ryu
The strategic question for the Rays is whether they can get more by being pre-emptive and making a trade with a team that doesn't want to get shut out of a high-priced open market or instead waiting on those teams that do miss out in free agency, writes Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Here's more Sunday afternoon linkage..
- Nationals General Manager Mike Rizzo told Jim Bowden of ESPN Radio (via Twitter) that Adam LaRoche is the club's number one priority right now as signing him would help make the rest of the winter easy for them. The first baseman declined the Nats' qualifying offer on Friday.
- While some have wondered if the Orioles could be interested in Rangers second baseman Ian Kinsler, Eduardo A. Encina of The Baltimore Sun doesn't see it happening. For starters, Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette likes the Orioles' options at second base which include Ryan Flaherty, Brian Roberts, Robert Andino, and the recently-acquired Alexi Casilla.
- A scout in Korea told David Lennon of Newsday (via Twitter) that the teams most aggressive in scouting Hyun-Jin Ryu were the Rangers, Cubs, Tigers, Indians, Blue Jays, Twins, and obviously the Dodgers. The Yankees and Mets were not in on the left-hander.
- New Rockies manager Walt Weiss is expected to be demanding right off the bat in his first foray into the job on a professional level, writes Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post.
Quick Hits: Giambi, Cano, Arencibia, Phillies, Angels
Jason Giambi was a surprise candidate to become the Rockies' next manager, but now that the job has gone to Walt Weiss, the team has offered Giambi the job of hitting coach, reports Troy Renck of the Denver Post. Giambi had said he would continue playing if he wasn't hired as manager, though he's taking a few days to consider Colorado's offer. If he turns it down and wants to keep playing, agent Joel Wolfe tells ESPN's Jerry Crasnick that "several teams" have shown interest in his client, who will be 42 years old on Opening Day.
Here are some more items from a very busy day around baseball…
- Robinson Cano believes he has already signed one team-friendly contract with the Yankees and will look for market value in his next deal, a "confidant" of the second baseman tells Joel Sherman of the New York Post. Cano's last contract with the Yankees ended up paying him $57MM over six years once New York exercised its two club options for 2012 and 2013.
- The Blue Jays' waiver claim of Bobby Wilson as catching depth "suggests J.P. Arencibia is in play on the trade market," writes Sportsnet.ca's Shi Davidi.
- Also from Davidi, Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos said that Mike Aviles drew "pretty good demand…the Indians weren't the only team that asked about him," before the infielder was traded to Cleveland last weekend.
- Though Phillies GM Ruben Amaro said earlier today that he preferred signing players to making trades this offseason, David Murphy of the Philadelphia Daily News thinks the trade market might be the best way for the Phils to solve some roster problems.
- Angels GM Jerry Dipoto likes his core of position players, leaving Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times to conclude that the Halos will pursue rotation depth through free agency, not trades.
- Jose Veras has switched agents, going from Bryce Dixon to the Praver Shapiro agency, tweets Jon Heyman of CBS Sports. The veteran righty chose to become a free agent after he was outrighted off the Brewers' 40-man roster.
- Minor league free agent Collin Balester is "in demand," reports FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal (via Twitter). Balester, 26, had a 6.50 ERA in 11 relief outings for the Tigers last season but posted strong numbers at Triple-A Toledo.