Rockies Rumors

Odds and Ends: Pettitte, Hampton, Tazawa, Blalock

By Tim Dierkes | September 10, 2008 at 10:25am CDT

Let’s round ’em up…

Chat today, 2pm CST.
Andy Pettitte seems to want to play next year, but Peter Abraham believes he may have to take a pay cut.
Gerry Fraley writes about the Rockies and Mike Hampton. It’s safe to rule out a return to Colorado for Hampton, who is currently auditioning for his next team.
The Royals dismissed their scouting director Deric Ladnier, offering him another position in the organization. Craig Brown reflects on Ladnier’s tenure.
More Royals linkage: Rany Jazayerli defends the Gil Meche signing and implores the team to lock up Zack Greinke this winter. Jazayerli would also like the team to pick up knuckleballer Charlie Haeger, recently designated for assignment by the White Sox.
Patrick Newman continues to update us on Japanese amateur pitcher Junichi Tazawa, who is coveted by several MLB teams. If Tazawa starts a trend, an interesting debate could follow. Newman also has a running list of Japanese free agents for this winter.
Bobby Valentine may be clashing with his boss over in Japan.
Will the Rangers cut Hank Blalock loose, or exercise his $6.2MM option? Blalock’s ability to play third base remains a question mark, but he will try to improve his arm strength this winter.
Neither the Pirates nor Pedro Alvarez’s people will be present at today’s hearing. ESPN’s Buster Olney says Alvarez can’t win – he’s either villified in Pittsburgh or forced into next year’s draft. In the latter case, Alvarez could lose money down the line.

Fuentes Unlikely To Re-Sign With Rockies

By Tim Dierkes | September 10, 2008 at 9:20am CDT

Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post takes a look at Brian Fuentes’ impending free agency. The 33 year-old closer would prefer to return to the Rockies, but he hasn’t heard from the team and expects to explore the open market.

Renck says Fuentes’ agent views Brad Lidge as a comparable. Lidge signed a three-year, $37.5MM extension in July. He’s a bit younger than Fuentes, but the comparision seems reasonable. Fuentes is in a great position this winter as the best alternative to Francisco Rodriguez, who will receive a record-breaking deal for a reliever.

Fuentes intends to sign with a team that will allow him to close, and has a slight preference for the West Coast. Both L.A. teams could consider him, though both have good internal options. Fuentes also acknowledged that Billy Wagner’s injury could affect his situation.

Odds And Ends: Rogers, Myers, Hosmer, Reynolds, Dunn

By Coley Ward 2 | September 6, 2008 at 3:34pm CDT

Here’s some loose change found underneath the cushions of the hot stove couch:

Kenny Rogers was scratched from his start and Buster Olney wonders if Rogers will retire after this season.
Philly Inquirer columnist Bob Ford says the Phillies didn’t do enough to improve the team before the trade deadline. Umpbump thinks Brett Myers has been a great trade deadline pickup – and the Phils didn’t have to surrender a thing.
The Royals are hoping the contract issues surrounding first baseman first round draft pick Eric Hosmer are resolved in time for him to participate in the Arizona Instructional League. Hosmer remains in limbo as a result of a grievance filed by the players’ union. The central issue is whether the Hosmer and Pirates draft pick Pedro Alvarez agreed to terms prior to the 11 p.m. deadline on Aug. 15.
Right-hander Greg Reynolds was officially added to the Rockies roster on Friday. His addition was delayed because he started Monday and needed the off time before he could be used in a game. The Rockies are unbelievably only five games back in the NL West.
Adam Dunn says winning will be his number one priority when he signs with a new team this winter. Sorry, Pirates fans.

Coley Ward writes for Umpbump.com and can be reached here.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Hendry, Burnett, Laird

By Tim Dierkes | September 3, 2008 at 9:55am CDT

Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports has a new column up.

Rosenthal fills us in on Jim Hendry’s contract status: Hendry controls his own fate with an option for ’09. If the new Cubs ownership doesn’t want to extend him beyond that, he could elect free agency this winter. Click here to download a spreadsheet of Hendry’s trade history.
Teams with third basemen to trade this winter are at an advantage due to the weak free agent market. Names like Garrett Atkins, Melvin Mora, and Hank Blalock could generate interest. Blalock is a huge question mark though, and the Rangers still have to decide on his $6.2MM option. Jorge Cantu, Adrian Beltre, and Kevin Kouzmanoff are other names to watch in my opinion.
Rosenthal talked to a rival executive who sees the Red Sox making a "major push" for A.J. Burnett if he opts out. He can hindle the rigors of pitching in the AL East, and will also draw interest from the Yankees.
The Rangers may shop Gerald Laird this winter. Laird, 29 in November, is under team control through 2010. The Reds could be a nice match.
Marlins infielder Chris Coghlan can play second or third base, giving the Fish flexibility on whether they want to trade Cantu, Mike Jacobs, or Dan Uggla this winter.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Burrell, Rockies

By Steve Adams | August 31, 2008 at 5:32pm CDT

Ken Rosenthal over at FOX Sports has up a new Full Count video up:

The Phillies want Pat Burrell back, and they feel they have a better than 50-50 chance of re-signing him because Burrell has mutual interest. Rosenthal thinks Burrell should command somewhere between $14MM and $17MM per season.
Rosenthal discusses the Rockies’ offseason, throwing out the usual suspects (Matt Holliday, Garrett Atkins, and Todd Helton) as possible trade pieces. Rosenthal points out Helton’s salary makes him difficult, and also proposes a scenario in which the Rockies trade both Atkins and Holliday, sign Burrell to play left field, and move Ian Stewart to third base full-time.

Odds And Ends: Taveras, Brewers, Kent

By Cork Gaines | August 31, 2008 at 10:05am CDT

A few notes from around the MLBiverse…

Troy E. Renck says Willy Taveras prefers to stay with the Rockies, despite being claimed off waivers. Taveras speculates that he was claimed by either the Yankees or the Nationals. Renck says it is unlikely that Taveras will be traded during the season.
Tom Haudricourt is reporting that the Brewers don’t expect to make any deals prior to tonight’s deadline to acquire players that would be eligible for the post-season.
Tony Jackson of the LA Daily News is reporting that Jeff Kent’s knee injury could be career-ending. Kent is contemplating retirement following the season. He is not signed for ’09.

Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com and can be reached here.

Taveras Claimed Off Waivers

By Alejandro Leal | August 30, 2008 at 2:05pm CDT

Willy Taveras has been claimed off waivers. There is no indication that the Rockies are actually going to work out a deal with the team that claimed him but there has been interest in the speedy outfielder from the Nationals, Phillies and Mets.

Molony’s Latest: Fuentes, Red Sox, White Sox

By Tim Dierkes | August 29, 2008 at 12:49pm CDT

Here’s the latest from MLB.com’s Jim Molony.

The Red Sox are eyeing Rockies closer Brian Fuentes, though Ken Rosenthal has said Fuentes cannot be traded this month. Plus, the Rockies still intend to make a playoff run in the weak NL West.
The Red Sox and White Sox had scouts at Wednesday night’s Astros-Reds game. Roy Oswalt pitched that one, but he won’t be traded. The Reds still have some good trade candidates in the bullpen (David Weathers has cleared waivers, Jeremy Affeldt is a free agent after the season).

Fuentes, Taveras Placed On Waivers

By Tim Dierkes | August 27, 2008 at 3:25pm CDT

3:25pm: Rosenthal says Fuentes’ trip to the bereavement list pretty much kills the chances of a trade.

WEDNESDAY, 10:55am: Troy E. Renck weighs in, suggesting that Taveras might clear waivers. The Nationals like him, but don’t want to add payroll. He expects the Dodgers, Rays, and Cardinals to put in claims on Fuentes (the Dodgers would win). The price remains a premium young starter, even though now the receiving team would get one less month of Fuentes.

TUESDAY: As expected, the Rockies have placed closer Brian Fuentes and center fielder Willy Taveras on waivers. Ken Rosenthal does not expect either player to clear.

As Rosenthal says, the Rockies will still require a return superior to two draft picks for Fuentes. He is certain to sign a multiyear deal elsewhere in the offseason. The Dodgers have first crack among contenders, though a non-contender could put in a claim just for sport.

Taveras is under team control through 2010, unless he is non-tendered before then. The speedy 26 year-old is hitting just .264/.316/.312 in 465 plate appearances.

Odds and Ends: Indians, Livan, Braves, Friedman

By Tim Dierkes | August 25, 2008 at 12:20pm CDT

Let’s round up today’s random links.

The Pirates received catcher Robinzon Diaz from the Blue Jays in the Jose Bautista deal. Not too shabby, he should develop into a credible cheap backup.
Yahoo’s Gordon Edes sees Manny Ramirez playing for the Mets in ’09.
The point continues to be hammered home – the Indians intend to acquire a proven closer this winter. Brian Fuentes seems a reasonable target.
RotoAuthority takes a closer look at Cliff Lee.
Rockies manager Clint Hurdle wants to see if Livan Hernandez fits into their plans for 2009. Hernandez has allowed a remarkable 224 hits in 152 innings – a rate that will rank second in baseball history if he can reach the 162 innings needed to qualify. Even Jose Lima can’t make that claim.
J.C. Bradbury notes that the Braves’ attempts to extend star players acquired via trade have been largely unsuccessful.
Outs Per Swing chats with Rays exec Andrew Friedman.
Danny Knobler surveyed scouts about Francisco Rodriguez’s stuff.

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