Odds & Ends: Roberts, Holliday, Cashman
Some points of interest:
- Brian Roberts, once a sure-fire bet to be dealt, is now a priority for the Orioles to resign according to Marc Carig of the Washington Post. The second baseman wants to play for a contender and says all the right things about wanting to stay with Baltimore. Roberts is 31 and will finish in the top 5 in average, doubles, stolen bases, and runs scored.
- According to Troy E. Renck, Matt Holliday is not happy about the idea that his back injury might influence contract talks with Colorado. Renck quotes Holliday, "It’s a stiff back, and it could get worse if I pushed it. Back stiffness and having surgery, that’s a little different. It’s just ridiculous," Holliday said. "If we were playing meaningful games, I would be in there."
- George A. King III of the New York Post tells us Brian Cashman has informed Hal Steinbrenner he would like to return. An announcement could come as soon as tomorrow.
Rockies Not Giving Up On Re-Signing Fuentes
Brian Fuentes has expressed his desire to stay with the Rockies, but as we’ve written before, its likely that he’ll sign with another team.
The Rockies, however, are keeping an open mind in trying to retain the veteran pitcher as GM Dan O’Dowd told the Denver Post:
"On the surface it would seem like it would be a longshot to keep him, but that’s something we are still talking about."
Fuentes will be one of the most coveted free agent relievers this upcoming offseason, but he’s prepared to listen to any offer the Rox make:
"If they want to discuss that internally and decide what they are going to do, that would be great," Fuentes said. "I love playing here, and I believe the team is going to be a lot better in years to come."
According to the Post, it’s assumed that the Rockies would get two compensatory draft picks once Fuentes rejected arbitration.
Alejandro A. Leal writes for UmpBump.com and can be reached at: alexo05 [at] umpbump [dot] com.
Rockies’ Hampton Buyout Prefunded
Gerry Fraley wrote about Mike Hampton in the Rocky Mountain News a few weeks ago. One notable statement:
"The Rockies will be free of a financial obligation once they pay the $6 million buyout on his option for 2009 – a sum that was prefunded so it won’t impact Rockies finances."
In my Rockies Offseason Outlook, the $6MM was included when I said the team had $77.6MM committed before arbitration raises.
Since the buyout won’t impact finances, the Rox actually have about $71.6MM committed before possible arbitration raises to Clint Barmes, Garrett Atkins, Willy Taveras, Jorge de la Rosa, Jason Grilli, and Cory Sullivan. So figure the Rockies will come in a bit under $80MM to keep their current players (aside from free agents).
Even going from this year’s $68.6MM to $80MM in ’09 would be a 16.6% increase in payroll. To add players, they’ll have to go even higher or perhaps trade Atkins. The Rockies drew over 2.65MM fans this year, up from last year’s 2.38MM.
Offseason Outlook: Colorado Rockies
The Rockies are next in our Offseason Outlook series. Here’s a look at their 2009 commitments:
C – Chris Iannetta – $400K
C – Yorvit Torrealba – $3.5MM
1B – Todd Helton – $16.6MM
2B – Clint Barmes – $405K+
SS – Troy Tulowitzki – $750K
3B – Garrett Atkins – $4.3875MM+
IF – Jeff Baker – $403K
IF – Ian Stewart – $400K
LF – Matt Holliday – $13.5MM
CF – Willy Taveras – $1.975MM+
RF – Brad Hawpe – $5.5MM
OF – Ryan Spilborghs – $400K
OF – Seth Smith – $400K
SP – Aaron Cook – $8.75MM
SP – Jeff Francis – $3.75MM
SP – Jorge de la Rosa – $1.025MM+
SP – Ubaldo Jimenez – $400K
SP – Greg Reynolds – $400K
RP – Manny Corpas – $750K
RP – Taylor Buchholz – $400K
RP – Luis Vizcaino – $3.5MM
RP – Matt Herges – $2.5MM (club option; salary estimated)
RP – Jason Grilli – $420K+
RP – Ryan Speier – $400K
RP – Jason Hirsh – $400K
Non-tender candidates: Cory Sullivan – $1MM+, Willy Taveras – $1.975MM+
Other commitments: Mike Hampton – $6MM
That’s $77.6MM committed, plus arbitration raises to Barmes, Atkins, Taveras, de la Rosa, Grilli, and Sullivan. Outfielders Taveras and Sullivan could be cut loose, but raises will still push payroll past $82MM. The Rockies began the season with a $68.6MM payroll.
This should be an interesting offseason for Dan O’Dowd and company. First there’s the Helton issue. He’s owed $56.9MM for the 2009-11 seasons, so he’d be very difficult to trade. Throw in the back problems and he’s basically immovable.
Helton’s injury status may make it harder to trade Atkins this winter. Could Baker and/or Joe Koshansky handle first base if Atkins is traded and Helton is injured? Perhaps. The Rockies would like to move Atkins and his probable $7MM salary for a frontline starting pitcher, but his performance away from Coors has been poor. If the offers are weak, Atkins may stay.
Holliday could be traded instead; his road performance is not problematic. However, the Rockies will probably only trade Holliday if they can do so without hurting the ’09 team. A package similar to the one the Twins received for Johan Santana would be surprising; O’Dowd instead went after Carlos Beltran this summer.
The Rockies’ offense could be solid in ’09 with the current group. They could hope that Tulo and Atkins bounce back and give more playing time to Iannetta and Stewart.
For the rotation, the Rockies will probably add one veteran starter to their solid core of Cook, Francis, Jimenez, and de la Rosa. Derek Lowe would be a great signing if they are willing to raise payroll (or find a reasonable trade for Atkins). Losing Brian Fuentes will hurt the bullpen, but starting pitching is the more urgent need. Perhaps Atkins can be traded for a quality reliever like Huston Street (just an example – the A’s may not be interested).
If the Rockies take payroll past $85MM, maybe they can lure a veteran like Lowe while retaining Holliday for an ’09 run. That’d be my strategy.
Odds and Ends: Hawkins, Pettitte, Strasburg
Rounding up the day’s links…
- Jack Etkin of the Rocky Mountain News talks about the future of Garrett Atkins. We discussed the possibility of an Atkins trade in this post.
- MLB.com’s Jim Molony says the Astros would like to re-sign reliever LaTroy Hawkins. Amazingly, Hawkins has thrown 17 scoreless innings as an Astro.
- This is a popular link lately…Vegas Watch examines April predictions from various analysts. Meanwhile, Scott Long digs in deeper on PECOTA’s American League predictions. Personally I am more interested in the logic behind projections. Did anyone predict Rays starters to post a 3.88 ERA? Did anyone peg Dioner Navarro and Carl Crawford‘s seasons?
- Viva El Birdos hopes the Cardinals do not sign Jon Garland this winter.
- Sam Mellinger wonders how the Royals would replace David DeJesus if they traded him.
- Andy Pettitte remains undecided on 2009. He’s hinted a desire to come back, but it’s unknown whether the Yankees want him. Houston could make sense.
- The Mariners are currently in line to have first crack at drafting Stephen Strasburg. They could even use Erik Bedard‘s money to sign him.
- Javier Valentin hasn’t heard from the Reds regarding 2009.
Heyman’s Latest: Sabathia, Roberts, Cain
Here’s a look at the latest column from SI.com’s Jon Heyman.
- One "Yankees person" believes it will take "crazy money" to convince C.C. Sabathia to pitch in New York and in the American League.
- The following three names are being bandied about in the Yankees’ clubhouse for center field next year: Nate McLouth, David DeJesus, and Matt Kemp. DeJesus seems the most reasonable target, though Robinson Cano could be part of a package for Kemp. DeJesus, it should be noted, played a poor center field this year according to the plus/minus system.
- Heyman doesn’t see the Yankees re-signing Jason Giambi or Bobby Abreu due to defensive concerns.
- Heyman says the Brewers’ efforts to acquire Brian Roberts were more under the radar than the Cubs’. GM Doug Melvin admitted Roberts’ name came up last spring, as the Orioles "were wanting to get [the Brewers] involved."
- Heyman speculation…could the Giants send Matt Cain and another player to Milwaukee for Prince Fielder, and then sign Sabathia? Or could the Rockies jump into the bidding for C.C.?
Rockies Need Pitching
A common theme: The Rockies need pitching. Troy E. Renck discusses the offseason focus of the team as they look ahead to a rotation anchored by Jeff Francis, Aaron Cook, and Ubaldo Jimenez, and the loss of Brian Fuentes in the bullpen.
"Ownership needs to go beyond anticipating injuries. It needs to expect slumps from at least one key starter and critical reliever, and give general manager Dan O’Dowd money to address those areas. It makes a trade for a frontline starter imperative…"
Renck suggests a trade for Aaron Heilman and being ready to pounce on Chad Cordero if reports suggest he’s healthy. Both could be safety nets for Manny Corpas who will probably have first crack at closing provided he has a strong winter. Heilman, who made $1.2MM avoiding arbitration this year and might benefit from a change of scenery, could also start.
Olney’s Latest: Cardinals, Snell, Milledge, Maine, Fuentes
Buster Olney’s latest offering is packed full of links:
- Bernie Miklasz notes that the Cardinals have only three starting pitchers (Adam Wainwright, Todd Wellemeyer, and Joel Pineiro) locked up for next year (he’s not expecting Chris Carpenter to contribute in 2009), and no prospects waiting in the wings. His solution? Pry open owner Bill DeWitt’s wallet, "and please, no el cheapo deals for rehabbing pitchers, medically risky pitchers, broken-down pitchers."
- The Pirates have it a little bit tougher. According to pitching coach Jeff Andrews, it consists of Paul Maholm and "a blank sheet." Here’s one vote for adding Ian Snell, "on the verge of becoming the best right-handed pitcher to come from Delaware since World War I," according to DelwareBaseball.com, who sponsors his Baseball Reference page.
- According to GM Jim Bowden, the Nationals will explore ways to upgrade their defense for 2009, including the possibility of moving Lastings Milledge from center field back to a corner spot. Left fielder Elijah Dukes could move to center.
- Despite going through a difficult divorce, Padres’ owner John Moores is not planning on selling the team—which he bought because of his soon-to-be ex.
- The Mets seem to be rushing John Maine back from the DL in an attempt to keep their playoff hopes alive.
- Dave Krieger is amazed that the Rockies aren’t doing anything to try and keep free-agent closer Brian Fuentes.
Sarah Green writes for the Boston Metro and Umpbump.
Atkins May Be Shopped For Pitching
Let’s take a look at Rockies first/third baseman Garrett Atkins. Atkins turns 29 in December and is disappointed by his .287/.331/.451 line in 632 plate appearances this year. His hitting away from Coors has been worrisome – .245/.305/.417 in 600 ABs the past two seasons.
The Rockies haven’t signed Atkins to a long-term deal, so he faces a possible $6.5-7MM arbitration reward for ’09. He’s under team control through 2010. Troy E. Renck writes of the "growing possibility" of a trade, with the Rockies aiming for frontline starting pitching.
Plenty of teams will be looking for corner infield help this winter – possibilities include the Giants, Yankees, White Sox, Twins, Indians, A’s, and Dodgers. But what if that road line holds up, and Atkins is basically a more expensive Kevin Millar?
Holliday On Rockies’ Contract Offer
Dave Krieger of the Rocky Mountain News spoke to Rockies outfielder Matt Holliday regarding the team’s contract offer. Holliday revealed that the Rockies offered four years without a no-trade clause. He is not looking to test the free agent market after the ’09 season, but doesn’t consider the Rockies’ offer close to market value. Holliday knows he could get eight years on the open market, but it seems that six or seven years with a no-trade clause might do the trick for Colorado. That’d still be a discount.
Unless the Rockies drastically change their offer, Holliday is a goner after ’09. That doesn’t mean they can’t hang on to him and let him play out the season. That’s a viable option that would’ve worked for the Twins with Johan Santana, in hindsight. It’s not an ideal offseason to shop Holliday – the free agent market features several big-name sluggers.