Rockies Interested In Jose Lopez
The Rockies are interested in Mariners infielder Jose Lopez, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (via Twitter). The Rockies are an infielder short after placing Ian Stewart on the disabled list, but rosters expand tomorrow, so they could rely on minor leaguers instead. One source tells Rosenthal that he or she doubts the Rockies will acquire Lopez or any other infielder (Twitter link).
Lopez has disappointed Mariners fans this season with his .241/.272/.333 line. After years of playing second base, he moved to third, where his defense is slightly above average, according to UZR. About $180K of Lopez's 2010 salary remains and there's a $250K buyout for a $4.5MM team option for 2011. Given Lopez's play this season, his team will likely decline that option and non-tender him. However, as the Cardinals showed when they acquired Pedro Feliz, teams are willing to trade for under-performing players in the hopes that they heat up.
Rockies Acquire Manny Delcarmen
The Rockies acquired reliever Manny Delcarmen from the Red Sox for minor league righty Chris Balcom-Miller, tweets WEEI's Alex Speier. According to a press release, the Red Sox also sent cash considerations. The Rockies were known to be seeking relief help given Matt Belisle's heavy workload and Rafael Betancourt's abdominal strain. At 3.5 games back in the wild card, Colorado has a 15.9% shot at the playoffs according to Baseball Prospectus. Unless Delcarmen cleared waivers, the trade implies Delcarmen went unclaimed by American League teams as well as National League non-contenders.
Delcarmen, 28, has a 4.70 ERA, 6.5 K/9, and 5.7 BB/9 with seven home runs allowed in 44 innings this year. His control took a turn for the worse after the '07 season, and his fastball velocity has been down a tick the last few years. The Red Sox were willing to trade Delcarmen in July, but didn't find a match. The Rockies have had their eye on him for years. If September goes well in the new league, perhaps they'll tender him a contract for 2011 at a small raise on this year's $905K salary.
Balcom-Miller, 21, has a 3.31 ERA, 9.7 K/9, and 1.6 BB/9 with three home runs allowed in 108.6 innings for the Rockies' Low A affiliate. Heading into the season Baseball America ranked him 16th among Rockies prospects, saying he "has the ceiling of a solid middle-of-the-rotation starter."
5 Surprises: Colorado Rockies
Five Rockies surprises I would not have predicted in the offseason…
- Brad Hawpe released. During the offseason Rockies GM Dan O'Dowd said he was willing to listen to trade offers for Hawpe, but he wasn't shopping the player. Hawpe's playing time dwindled until he was released in mid-August.
- Chris Iannetta's demotion. The Rockies agreed to a three-year deal with Iannetta in December, but signed Miguel Olivo to split time with him the following month. Before the end of April, Iannetta was demoted to Triple A for about a month. Iannetta could be attractive on the trade market this winter, but the Rockies may need him if Olivo's club option turns mutual and he becomes tough to re-sign.
- Huston Street making his season debut on June 23rd. In January, the Rockies were so enamored of Street they extended him through 2012 at a minimal discount even though they already controlled him for '10. Street had a decent-sized injury history, though, so this year's shoulder issue didn't come out of nowhere.
- Jhoulys Chacin's season. Chacin wasn't a household name, though he was ranked fourth among Rockies prospects by Baseball America before the season. He's been a crucial member of the team in 2010, with a 3.79 ERA in 102 innings. Aaron Cook hasn't performed as expected and Jeff Francis and Jorge de la Rosa have dealt with injuries, so Chacin has been a godsend.
- Carlos Gonzalez's season. Given Gonzalez's strong 2009 trial, his performance this year isn't a shock. Still, I didn't expect an MVP-caliber year from the center fielder.
Rockies Sign Luis Ayala
The Rockies signed reliever Luis Ayala and assigned him to Triple A, according to the transactions page for the Pacific Coast League. The right-hander has not pitched in the majors this year, though he did pitch 1.2 scoreless innings for Colorado Springs over the weekend.
Ayala, 32, last appeared in the majors last year when he posted a 5.63 ERA with 6.3 K/9 and 3.2 BB/9 for the Twins and Marlins. He posted similar numbers at Triple A in the Dodgers and D'Backs organizations this summer, before signing in Colorado. The Rockies continue to look for relievers, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com.
Rockies Seeking Relief Help
The Rockies are looking for a reliever, tweets SI's Jon Heyman. Colorado has mostly been subtracting lately, letting Brad Hawpe and Randy Flores go for nothing, but at 4.5 games out in the wild card Baseball Prospectus gives them a 10.7% playoff shot. Heyman believes the Rockies would probably settle for a "change-of-scenery type" reliever, with the good ones blocked. The team's Rafael Betancourt deal, struck in July of last year, could be the model in my opinion. At present, Betancourt is battling an abdominal strain.
Which relievers are still available, with the deadline looming tomorrow? My speculative list includes Brandon League, David Aardsma, Aaron Heilman, Mark Hendrickson, Todd Coffey, Pedro Feliciano, Chan Ho Park, Will Ohman, Brian Tallet, Joel Peralta, George Sherrill, Koji Uehara, Manny Parra, Mike Gonzalez, D.J. Carrasco, and Miguel Batista. I'm operating under the assumption the Blue Jays' relievers will not be dealt. The Rockies could also turn to free agents such as Brendan Donnelly or David Riske.
Twins Claim Randy Flores
The Twins claimed lefty reliever Randy Flores off waivers from the Rockies, according to a press release. The 35-year-old posted a 2.96 ERA with 5.9 K/9 and 4.3 BB/9 in 27.1 innings for the Rockies this year, but the Rockies designated him for assignment last week. He earns a total of $650K this year and hits free agency after the season, so the Twins make only a minor financial commitment.
The Twins transferred another lefty reliever, Ron Mahay to the 60-day DL in a corresponding move. With Mahay and Jose Mijares injured, the Twins had a clear need for left-handed relief and it didn't take long for GM Bill Smith to address it cheaply.
Padres Interested In Brad Hawpe
Brad Hawpe will clear waivers tomorrow, reports Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post, and the Padres "have genuine interest." Renck mentions the Rangers as another potential suitor. The White Sox, Rays, and Phillies are other speculative matches. MLBTR readers went with the White Sox by a thin margin in our Friday poll, though it was later revealed that they intend to claim Manny Ramirez.
Hawpe would have to play left field for the Padres, who have Ryan Ludwick manning the other outfield corner. Will Venable, Chris Denorfia, and Scott Hairston have been handling left field lately. Padres left fielders have just a .213/.306/.327 line on the season.
What’s Next For Jorge De La Rosa?
In March, Rockies GM Dan O'Dowd explained the double-edged sword of Jorge de la Rosa's 2010 performance, talking to Jim Armstrong of the Denver Post:
"I'm not that concerned that we wouldn't have a shot to keep him at the end of the year. Now, if he goes out and wins 17 or 18 games, that's going to be somewhat problematic. But I hope he does, because that means we're going to be in pretty good shape."
O'Dowd did not face that good kind of problem in 2010, as De La Rosa missed ten weeks with a torn tendon in his finger. The lefty still hopes to re-sign with the Rockies, as he told Jim Armstrong and Troy E. Renck:
"I would love to come back. I really like it here. But I don't know if it makes sense for them to bring me back."
From the Rockies' point of view, it's still difficult to know what to expect from De La Rosa moving forward. Since returning from the DL on July 9th, he's got a 4.82 ERA, 8.1 K/9, 4.3 BB/9, and eight home runs allowed in 52.3 innings. His groundball rate remains high, so his home run rate should come down.
In March Armstrong said the Rockies offered three years and about $11MM to cover the 2010-12 seasons. Now he and Renck say De La Rosa actually rejected a two-year offer in the $9MM range, with a club option for '12. The pitcher earned over 60% of that amount in 2010 alone, so his agent at TWC Sports was right to advise turning down the Rockies' offer.
David Price, Francisco Liriano, and C.C. Sabathia – those are the only other lefty starters who have a harder average fastball than De La Rosa this year (70 inning minimum). De La Rosa doesn't turn 30 until April, and he'll rival polar opposite Ted Lilly as the best free agent southpaw available after Cliff Lee. De La Rosa could find upwards of a three-year, $24MM offer, but it's always scary to sign a guy walking a batter every other inning.
Randy Flores Clears Waivers
Rockies left-hander Randy Flores cleared waivers, according to Troy Renck of the Denver Post (on Twitter). The Rockies designated the reliever for assignment Friday, so they still have the rest of this week to work out a trade. If teams aren't interested in trading for Flores, the Rockies will likely release him.
Flores makes $650K this year before hitting free agency this offseason. Just $150K remains on his salary, so you won’t find cheaper options out there. The 35-year-old has a 2.96 ERA with 5.9 K/9 and 4.3 BB/9 in 27.1 innings for the Rockies.
Non-Tender Candidate: Clint Barmes
Rockies second baseman Clint Barmes will be eligible for arbitration one last time this winter. He's already earning $3.325MM this year; will the team tender a contract and potentially give him a raise for 2011?
Barmes, 31, lost most of his power this year en route to a .241/.307/.360 line through 400 plate appearances. By measure of UZR Barmes has played average defense at second base the last few years and as a bonus he has significant experience at shortstop.
The Rockies flirted with the idea of acquiring Dan Uggla as far back as the offseason, reportedly discussing offering Barmes and a prospect with the Marlins. Nonetheless, the Rockies made a multiyear offer to Barmes that would've guaranteed his 2010-11 salaries and included a club option for 2012. Instead, the Rockies now have the flexibility to cut him. Sometimes the looming possibility of a non-tender can kill offseason trade value, as in the case of Matt Capps last winter. If the Rockies don't intend to retain Barmes, it may make sense to move him now. Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post wrote on Thursday that a handful of teams are waiting for the Rockies to put Barmes on waivers.
If Uggla can't be had in the offseason, the Rockies could consider free agents such as Orlando Hudson or Juan Uribe to play second base. Internal options may include Jonathan Herrera, Eric Young Jr., and Chris Nelson.
Less than a year ago Barmes was coming off a 23 home run season and the Rockies wanted to lock him up. Assuming Barmes does not change teams this month, they must decide whether to even tender a contract for 2011. Click here to predict the Rockies' decision, and here to see the results.