Rockies Rumors

Renck On Buck, Lopez, Giambi, Mora

By Mark Polishuk | November 3, 2010 at 11:07pm CDT

It's already been a busy day for the Rockies what with their declined options on Jeff Francis, Octavio Dotel and (possibly) Miguel Olivo, but the Denver Post's Troy Renck has even more news from the Mile High City. All of Renck's links are from Twitter…

John Buck is not a candidate to play for Colorado next season, but Renck "knows for a fact" the Rockies like the Angels' Mike Napoli.
The Rockies are interested in Jose Lopez, among several other right-handed hitters. Lopez had his 2011 option declined today by Seattle and could be non-tendered next month.
Lopez could be a right-handed option at first base to platoon with Todd Helton, which would make Jason Giambi "unlikely to return." Then again, Renck notes Giambi "really didn't fit last year" in terms of a platoon situation and he was very popular in the clubhouse.
Melvin Mora wants to come back next season, but there might not be enough playing time available to satisfy him.
Renck says there's about a "60%" chance that Francis returns to Colorado. He notes that Pittsburgh could be interested in Francis if former Rockies manager Clint Hurdle is hired to manage the Bucs and if Zach Duke is non-tendered.
It's "uncertain" if Joe Beimel will be pitching for the Rockies next year.

Rockies Decline Option For Miguel Olivo?

By Mark Polishuk | November 3, 2010 at 7:49pm CDT

7:49 pm: Dan O'Dowd tells MLB.com's Thomas Harding that a decision hasn't yet been made about Olivo's option. "We're allowed to take our time and make a decision tomorrow," O'Dowd said. The Denver Post's Troy Renck tweets Olivo won't be a Rockie in 2011 either way since the option will either be declined or the option will be picked up and then Olivo will be traded. Renck also tweets that the Rockies may be going right down to the deadline for their decision as part of their efforts to explore all possible trade partners for Olivo.

5:38 pm: The Rockies will not pick up their end of catcher Miguel Olivo's mutual option for 2011, reports Tracy Ringolsby of FOXSports.com (Twitter link). Olivo's option was worth $2.7MM (up $200K from $2.5MM due to reaching a games-played incentive) but instead Colorado will pay him a $500K buyout.

With Chris Iannetta in the fold and under contract through 2012, Olivo was expendable to the Rockies even though Olivo had a better season last year and usurped much of the playing time behind the plate. Olivo is likely to seek out a starting job elsewhere, meaning he could be worth a supplementary draft pick to Colorado as a Type B free agent. Olivo hit .269/.315/.449 in 427 plate appearances in 2010.

Rockies Decline Jeff Francis’ Option

By Mark Polishuk | November 3, 2010 at 5:29pm CDT

The Rockies have declined their $7MM option on Jeff Francis for 2011, tweets Troy Renck of the Denver Post. The move comes as no surprise given Francis' injury-plagued recent history, but as we heard last month, Francis wishes to remain a Rockie and the team has an interest in re-signing him at a reduced price.

Rockies Decline Option For Octavio Dotel

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | November 3, 2010 at 4:44pm CDT

The Rockies declined their 2011 option for Octavio Dotel, according to the AP (via the Miami Herald). The club will pay the righty a $250K buyout instead of a $4.5MM salary.

Dotel split the 2010 season between the Pirates, Dodgers and Rockies. He posted an overall ERA of 4.08 with 10.5 K/9 and 4.5 BB/9 in 68 appearances. Dotel is a Type B free agent, so the Rockies could technically obtain a compensation pick if they offer arbitration and the 36-year-old turns it down to sign elsewhere.

Odds & Ends: Crawford, Thome, Rowand, Greinke

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | November 2, 2010 at 9:52pm CDT

On this date in 1974, the Braves traded Hank Aaron to the Brewers for Dave May. Today, the Braves made some less memorable moves. Here are the day's links…

The Giants will at least entertain the idea of signing Carl Crawford, according to Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News.
Twins GM Bill Smith confirmed to ESPN Radio 1500 that he'd like to bring Jim Thome back to Minnesota in 2011. The slugger hit 25 homers in 2010.
Jhonny Peralta told the Detroit Free Press that he'd like to return to the Tigers for more than one year. GM Dave Dombrowski was also optimistic about reaching a deal when he turned down the infielder's 2011 option earlier today.
Jon Heyman of SI.com hears that the Phillies might consider bringing Aaron Rowand back to Philadelphia if the Giants took on most of his salary (Twitter link).
People close to Zack Greinke tell Heyman that there's no chance the pitcher would accept a trade to New York (Twitter link). For more on Greinke's no-trade clause, click here.
The Pirates obtained permission to interview former Rockies manager and current Rangers hitting coach Clint Hurdle, according to MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan.
The Rockies got a fourth minor league option for Greg Reynolds because the pitcher was injured in 2009, according to Jack Etkin of Inside the Rockies.
Joel Sherman of the New York Post draws a parallel between Alex Rodriguez and Tom Hicks and Cliff Lee and Chuck Greenberg.

Odds & Ends: Ortiz, Girardi, Molina, Werth

By Mark Polishuk | October 26, 2010 at 9:06pm CDT

On the eve of the World Series, here are some news items to tide you over until the big Lee/Lincecum battle tomorrow night…

David Ortiz tells Mike Vega of the Boston Globe that he'll be back with Boston next season, reports the Globe's Peter Abraham. Ortiz said his representation and the Red Sox will talk next week about the club's $12.5MM option on the slugger for 2011. Boston has until three days after the end of the World Series to decide to pick up Ortiz's option.
Joe Girardi's expected new contract with the Yankees will probably be a three-year deal, writes George A. King III and Mark Hale of the New York Post. Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated reports the deal will be worth between a total of $9-$10MM. While no one doubts Girardi will be manning the Yankee bench next season, ESPNNewYork.com's Ian O'Connor thinks the Yankees should limit Girardi's extension to two years, citing lingering issues about how the manager deals with the New York pressure.
Bengie Molina is still planning to retire this winter, writes MLB.com's Lyle Spencer. "It's more 'yes' than 'no' right now," Molina said. "Something could get worked out this winter. As for now … yes."
If the Phillies don't re-sign Jayson Werth, Fangraphs' Dave Cameron points out that they'll be "running out a line-up with a large, exploitable flaw" — a lack of right-handed hitting.
Bruce Jenkins of the San Francisco Chronicle praises Ron Washington and wonders if Billy Beane should've hired Washington (a former Oakland coach) to manage the A's.
With Jorge de la Rosa possibly being too expensive for the Rockies to bring back, Troy Renck of the Denver Post tweets that the "most likely scenario" is that De La Rosa goes elsewhere and Colorado trades for a James Shields-caliber starter, if not necessarily Shields himself.

De La Rosa Will Test Free Agent Market

By Tim Dierkes | October 26, 2010 at 9:13am CDT

Lefty Jorge de la Rosa will test the free agent market, reports Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post. Rockies GM Dan O'Dowd still plans to make an aggressive multiyear offer, saying, "We continue to have a strong desire to bring him back. The conversations have been great."

In Renck's estimation, De La Rosa is seeking a four or five-year contract. The southpaw, 30 in April, is one of the better free agent starters available despite never reaching 200 innings and a career walk rate of 4.5 per nine. De La Rosa's case was strengthened when the Dodgers re-signed Ted Lilly at three years and $33MM earlier this month. De La Rosa is represented by TWC Sports.

Our reverse-engineered Elias rankings suggest De La Rosa barely made the Type A cutoff. He'll likely turn down an arbitration offer from the Rockies on November 30th, allowing Colorado to snag two draft picks if another team signs him. Only one of those picks would come from the signing team. Note that at 74.092 points, De La Rosa is the sixth-lowest rated of the 29 Type A free agents. If a team signs De La Rosa and another higher-rated Type A who also turned down arbitration, one of the Rockies' picks could be pushed to the second or third round of the draft. Renck expects the Rockies to pursue another free agent starter if De La Rosa departs.

Renck adds that the Rockies' decision on catcher Miguel Olivo's $2.5MM mutual option is due three days after the World Series. He says they're leaning against exercising their side due to Carney Lansford's success working with Chris Iannetta.

Odds & Ends: Brewers, Marlins, Yankees, Bagwell

By Mike Axisa | October 23, 2010 at 7:55pm CDT

A few links to check out as the Giants try to join the Rangers in the World Series…

Over at RotoAuthority, Tim Dierkes lists some Pittsburgh Pirates that could help your fantasy team next season.
Jon Paul Morosi and Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com report that Joey Cora and Bob Melvin are among the final candidates for the Brewers managerial opening. Pat Listach was informed that he is no longer considered a candidate for the job according Tom Haudricourt of The Journal Sentinel.
Elsewhere in Milwaukee coaching news, the team has confirmed that Dale Sveum will return as hitting coach on a two-year deal according to MLB.com's Adam McCalvy (via Twitter). Sveum was a candidate for Pirates' manager job.
The Marlins have no immediate plans to interview Yankees bench coach Tony Pena for their managerial opening now that New York has been eliminated from the postseason, reports Juan C. Rodriguez of The Sun-Sentinel.
Meanwhile, Wallace Matthews of ESPNNewYork.com lists ten issues the Yanks must deal with this offseason, starting with Derek Jeter's contract situation.
MLB.com's Brian McTaggart tweets that Jeff Bagwell has informed the Astros that he will not be returning as hitting coach. Astros senior director of social media Alyson Footer says (via Twitter) that there are no hard feelings on either side.
MetsBlog.com's Matthew Cerrone muses about the Mets acquiring a starting pitcher.
In today's blog post at ESPN (Insider req'd), Buster Olney explains how the Rangers were able to take on payroll over the last year despite being bankrupt.
Joel Sherman of The New York Post reports that when the Mets interview GM candidates Sandy Alderson and Josh Byrnes for a second time this week, they will focus on what each would do in the immediate future, meaning the upcoming offseason.
Meanwhile, Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com tweets that because Josh Byrnes is still under contract with the Diamondbacks for the next five years, the Mets would only have to pay him a "reasonable amount" if they hire him as their new GM. That amount would then be deducted from what Arizona is paying him.
In the wake of their ALCS loss to the Rangers, John Harper of The New York Daily News says that the failed Cliff Lee trade ultimately cost the Yankees.
Richard Justice of The Houston Chronicle thinks there's a case to be made for the Astros signing Lance Berkman this offseason.
Troy Renck of The Denver Post thinks the Rockies should make a run at Javier Vazquez if the price is right (Twitter link).

Amateur Signing Bonuses: Rockies

By Mike Axisa | October 23, 2010 at 1:31pm CDT

The Rockies are up next in our amateur signing bonus series…

Tyler Matzek, $3.9MM (2009)
Greg Reynolds, $3.25MM (2006)
Jason Young, $2.75MM (2000)
Troy Tulowitzki, $2.3MM (2005)
Chin-Hui Tsao. $2.2MM (1999)

Matzek was one of the best prospects available in the 2009 draft, but he fell into the Rockies' lap with the 11th overall pick because of perceived bonus demands. Colorado met those demands, giving him the fourth largest bonus of the entire draft class. Matzek spent 2010 in Single-A, pitching to a 2.92 ERA with 8.9 K/9 and 6.2 BB/9 in 89.1 innings as a 19-year-old.

Tulowitzki, the seventh overall pick in 2005, is quite simply the Rockies' franchise cornerstone and one of the five or ten best players in baseball. In four-plus years as Colorado's shortstop, Tulo has hit .290/.362/.495 with top-of-the-line defense. The team has gotten every dollar's worth and then some with this pick and bonus.

Young, the 47th overall pick in 2000, pitched well in the minors before getting his first taste of the big leagues in 2003, and he ultimately put up a 9.71 ERA in 29.2 innings for Colorado before being claimed off waivers by the Indians in August 2005. He was out of baseball by the end of that season. Reynolds was the second overall pick in 2006, and made 13 ugly starts (8.13 ERA, 3.2 K/9, 3.8 BB/9) for Colorado in 2008. He missed basically the entire 2009 season with shoulder surgery and is working his way back.

Tsao's career featured a lot of firsts. He was the first significant international signing in team history, the first player they ever signed out of Asia, and the first Taiwanese-born pitcher in MLB history. His career was riddled with injury, most notably Tommy John surgery in 2001, but he reached the big leagues in 2003. In 63.2 innings for the Rockies from 2003-2005, Tsao pitched to a 5.80 ERA with 6.2 K/9 and 3.7 BB/9 before being released in 2006. He pitched in the Chinese Professional Baseball League after his time in MLB was through, but his career came to end earlier this year when he was banned from the league for his role in a game-fixing scandal.

Odds & Ends: Beimel, Angels, Mets, Peralta, Dunn

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | October 21, 2010 at 10:43pm CDT

On this date 27 years ago, the Padres signed Sandy Alomar Jr. as an amateur free agent. Now, the former catcher is one of four finalists for the Blue Jays managerial opening. Here are today's links, as the Phillies send the NLCS back to Philadelphia…

Joe Beimel tells Troy Renck of the Denver Post that he'd like to return to Colorado next year: "The Rockies are my first choice. I definitely want to be back. But after the last two offseasons, it's hard to know what to expect."
The Angels promoted Ric Wilson, making him their new scouting director, reports Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times.
Mets chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon says the team completed its initial round of interviews and will narrow the group of candidates "by early next week," according to Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com.
Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski says he's "optimistic" about reaching a deal with Jhonny Peralta, according to MLB.com's Jason Beck. The Tigers have a $7MM option for the infielder's services in 2011.
Now that Detroit is presumably out of the running for Adrian Beltre, Jon Heyman of SI.com says the Tigers look like real players for Adam Dunn (Twitter link).
Remember Larry Bigbie, the former first rounder who played parts of six seasons in the major leagues? He's making a comeback and was recently named to Baseball America's 2010 All-Independent Leagues Team.
The Marlins outrighted Jay Buente, according to Juan C. Rodriguez of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel (on Twitter). That means the 27-year-old righty is no longer on the 40-man roster.

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