Headlines

Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Rockies Rumors

Rockies To Shop Atkins?

By | at

Everyone expects the Rockies to move Matt Holliday for pitching this winter, but Troy E. Renck suggests it might be Garrett Atkins instead.  Atkins is expected to make around $8MM in arbitration next year, and with Ian Stewart developing at third and Todd Helton returning to first, Atkins becomes readily expendable.

Renck points out that the third basement free agent market is sorely lacking, boosting Atkins value in a trade.  Atkins can also play first base, making him a valuable player for ball clubs like the Twins and Angels.  From those teams, Renck lists Glen Perkins, Kevin Slowey, Nick Adenhart, and Ervin Santana as young pitchers with huge upsides that could be a good fit.  Santana, however, has realized that upside so I wouldn’t consider him on the list.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Kotsay, Fuentes, Glavine, Smoltz

By | at

On August 18th, Rosenthal mentioned Mark Kotsay had cleared waivers, and that Brian Fuentes had not yet been placed.  Here’s an update, from today’s Inside Pitch video:

  • The Brewers and Red Sox are both showing interest in Kotsay.  The Brewers would only pursue a trade if Ryan Braun’s ribcage injury worsens, and so far he looks more than fine.  The Sox made a play for lefty-hitting Brian Giles before Giles vetoed the deal, so it makes sense that they’d exert similar effort toward Kotsay. Even more so now that J.D. Drew has a herniated disc.
  • Fuentes is expected to be put on waivers this week, a process that’s not usually made public, let alone announced, so the Rockies must be keen to see if they can do better in a trade than the two first round draft picks they get by keeping Fuentes.  According to Rosenthal, as things stand, the Dodgers currently have waiver priority.  If they pass for salary reasons, the Phillies could be a roadblock for the Mets.
  • Rosenthal also mentions a delicate situation in Atlanta: Tom Glavine and John Smoltz both want to pitch next year, and Glavine only wants to pitch for the Braves.  The Braves are faced with re-signing the inevitable Hall of Famers without being as reliant on their health as they were this year, or letting them go despite their long history with the team. Toss Mike Hampton’s arm into the mix as well.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Howard, Burrell, Burnett

By | at

Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports has a new column up today.

  • With Ryan Howard looking at maybe a $14MM salary in his second year of arbitration, the Phillies could shop him this winter.  Rosenthal lays out a scenario where they trade Howard and use some of those young players to acquire Matt Holliday.  In this scenario Pat Burrell could be re-signed to play first base.  I was surprised to see that a club official sees the chances of retaining Burrell as better than 50-50.
  • If A.J. Burnett opts out, he will again favor teams such as the Nationals, Orioles, and Cardinals.  Rosenthal thinks the Yankees and Mets are possible as well.  And it’s still possible the Jays convince Burnett to stay by adding to his ’09 and ’10 salaries.
  • Rosenthal frowns upon the Mariners’ double-failure to unload Jarrod Washburn’s contract.

Heyman’s Latest: Bowden, Helton, Maddux, K-Rod

By | at

Let’s take a look at the latest from SI.com’s Jon Heyman.

  • Despite the headline "Nats GM in trouble," Heyman says Jim Bowden has the support of his bosses.  They do not blame him for Aaron Crow and are not concerned with his possible connection to the scout skimming scandal.
  • Heyman suggests the Rockies could shop first baseman Todd Helton this winter if he demonstrates a healthy back in September.  Here’s the thing – if Helton was a free agent and you had to give him a three-year deal, what would you pay?  $5MM a year maybe?  Are the Rockies going to eat $40MM?  Helton might have to be swapped for another bad contract.
  • Heyman sees Ryan Dempster getting four years and $48MM, and Oliver Perez snagging $60MM over five.  Are they worth that?
  • People close to Greg Maddux are saying he wants to pitch next year.  Heyman also sees John Smoltz and Tom Glavine back in ’09.
  • "Some are expecting" the Reds to be big players in free agency this year.  The Reds figure to be in the market for catching and outfield help.  Manny Ramirez would be interesting.
  • Heyman wonders if the Mets will be players for Francisco Rodriguez this winter.

Odds And Ends: Lane, Taveras, Cubs, Reyes

By | at

Round three from the MLBiverse…

  • The Red Sox have signed former Astros outfielder Jason Lane to a minor league deal.
  • Troy E. Renck says that Willy Taveras could be moved this winter and speculates that the Nationals might be a good fit if Lastings Milledge is moved from center field.
  • Paul Sullivan says the Cubs are not likely to make many changes this winter with only four key free agents. One of those free agents, Ryan Dempster, said that he would prefer to stay with the Cubs.
  • Omar Minaya says Al Reyes turned down a major league job with another organization to take the minor league deal with the Mets.

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

Rosenthal’s Latest: Dempster, Mora, Cameron

By | at

Ken Rosenthal has a new column up; let’s take a look.

  • Rosenthal agrees with those who considered C.C. Sabathia pitching the ninth inning Monday a needless risk.  Sabathia already had thrown 112 pitches and the Brewers had a seven run lead, but he pitched the ninth to bring the total to 130.  The innings shouldn’t affect Sabathia’s payday, but hopefully he remains healthy.
  • Rosenthal sees a minimal chance of Ryan Dempster signing elsewhere, given his strong relationship with Cubs GM Jim Hendry.  Dempster will be the Cubs’ top offseason priority.  I also consider Kerry Wood unlikely to leave.
  • Add Melvin Mora to the list of players who have cleared waivers.  He, Aubrey Huff, and Ramon Hernandez will be shopped this winter.  Mora has raised his numbers and stock significantly by hitting .378/.421/.652 since the beginning of July.  He has a full no-trade clause and is owed $9MM next year.
  • The Indians are almost certain to sign a closer this winter, with Brandon Lyon and Brian Fuentes perhaps the best available aside from Francisco Rodriguez and Wood.
  • The Rockies will place Fuentes on waivers soon and may also shop Willy Taveras.  Manny Corpas has already hit the wire.
  • Rosenthal figures Mike Cameron’s $10MM option for ’09 will be exercised.  Cameron is hitting .245/.333/.509 in 372 plate appearances while playing strong defense.
  • Gary Matthews Jr.’s knee injury may prevent the Angels from trading him this winter.  That, and the $33MM owed to him through 2011.

Manny Corpas Placed On Waivers

By | at

According to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe, Rockies reliever Manny Corpas has been placed on waivers.  Bear in mind that it’s likely just a procedural move and does not mean Corpas is going to be traded.

Corpas struggled in April and May and lost the closer job.  The 25 year-old has a 2.50 ERA and 8.67 K/BB since the beginning of June though.  He’s signed cheaply through 2011 with club options on ’12 and ’13, so he would not clear waivers.

Corpas probably wouldn’t make it far through the NL before a team claims him.  Even the Reds, fourth in line, could take him with an eye on the future.  Most likely the Rockies will pull him back and not make a deal.

Odds and Ends: Jeter, Al Reyes, Schilling, Dunn

By | at

Let’s kick things off with a link roundup.

  • River Ave. Blues wonders about Derek Jeter’s future with the Yankees.  The Yanks don’t have to deal with it until after the 2010 season.
  • Reliever Al Reyes is now a free agent.  The 38 year-old still has a bit left in the tank.
  • Baseball America’s Jim Callis lists the draft’s best coups.
  • Curt Schilling is leaning toward retirement.  If he does come back, here is a reminder of the 12 teams he was willing to play for last year aside from the Red Sox: Indians, Tigers, Angels, Mets, Phillies, Braves, Dodgers, Padres, D’Backs, Cubs, Cardinals, and Brewers.
  • Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post says the Rockies need to keep Todd Helton.
  • Ken Rosenthal says the Dodgers’ failure to block the D’Backs’ waiver claim on Adam Dunn was a mistake.
  • Sam Mellinger explains that Eric Hosmer was smart to hold out for $6MM.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Holliday, Fuentes, Kotsay

By | at

Ken Rosenthal posted a new Full Count video this weekend.

  • Rosenthal believes the Rockies are "almost certain to trade Matt Holliday this offseason."  Should be a hot topic at the Winter Meetings in December.  Rosenthal says to watch out for smaller-revenue sleepers on Holliday like the Nationals, Royals, and Blue Jays.  Holliday, a Boras client, is set to earn $13.5MM in ’09 before he hits free agency.
  • Rockies closer Brian Fuentes has yet to hit the waiver wire, but he will soon.  Rosenthal wonders if the Dodgers would win the claim if their record is worse than Arizona’s when Fuentes hits the wire.  The Marlins, Astros, and the NL non-contenders would have to pass first.  I could see the salary-shy Dodgers passing on Fuentes, but the Phillies probably wouldn’t let him get to the Mets.  At any rate, a team would have to beat two draft picks to pry Fuentes loose in a trade.
  • Somewhat surprising new addition to our cleared waivers list – Braves center fielder Mark Kotsay.  Apparently a number of teams are interested in the resurgent Kotsay, though not enough to take on his remaining salary.
  • The Braves nearly acquired Jason Bay in July, and will be in the market for a slugging outfielder this winter.  They’ll also be looking for a quality starter, likely in the Ryan Dempster/A.J. Burnett/Jon Garland range.  Click here to browse the free agent market.

Stark’s Latest: Manny, Fuentes, Livan, Dunn

By | at

ESPN’s Jayson Stark has a new Rumblings and Grumblings column up.

  • Some teams won’t go anywhere near Manny Ramirez given the way he exited Boston.  Opinions range on whether he’ll get two, three, or four years this winter.  Will he turn it off again after signing a long-term deal?  And will other players use the same strategy to escape their contracts?
  • The Rays are likely to stand pat, despite recent injuries.
  • Rockies players haven’t hit the waiver wire yet; Dan O’Dowd plans to wait until month’s end.  Stark wonders whether the Cards could win a claim on Brian Fuentes.  Not likely, given the contenders in front of them in waiver order.
  • All kinds of near-deals in the final minutes on deadline day – John Grabow to the Phillies, Ian Snell to the Rockies, and Jason Bay to the Rays.
  • Livan Hernandez’s incentives get expensive in a hurry once he hits 160 innings, and the Twins are on the hook for those.
  • Stark talked to officials from two teams who didn’t think the Reds would’ve offered Adam Dunn arbitration.
Show all

MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information

hide arrows scroll to top