Troy Renck wrote last night that the Rockies were starting to consider the idea of signing LaTroy Hawkins to a two-year deal. However, Dan O’Dowd said today that he’s still thinking one year. Hawkins is open to it, but not at a pay cut. A fair request from LaTroy. It sounds like the man actually desires to pitch in Colorado.
Rockies Rumors
Brewers Rumors: Street, Iguchi, Riske
UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 7:52pm: Not so fast – Doug Melvin isn’t at the offer stage with Iguchi.
UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 2:54pm: Iguchi’s agent expects a two-year offer from the Brewers sometime today. Iguchi is willing to play third base and is looking for a two-year deal with an option.
FROM 12-4-07 at 10:59pm:
MLB.com’s Adam McCalvy runs down the Brewers’ day.
- As you know, the Brewers are out of the running for Scott Rolen. This is due to a number of factors. McCalvy quotes an ESPN rumor of Chris Capuano and Bill Hall for Rolen, which I somehow missed. I thought it was just Capuano.
- Earlier today we wrote about many other third base options the Brewers are considering. Add Tadahito Iguchi to that list, since he’s declared he’s willing to play third base. The Giants, Rockies, Padres, and Phillies also like Iguchi.
- David Riske took a physical in Milwaukee today, though his agent says other teams are still in play.
- The Brewers apparently called the A’s to discuss Huston Street’s availability.
Aaron Cook To Sign Extension
UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 5:24pm: Ken Rosenthal says the Rockies are "moving closer" to a 3/30 extension with Cook.
FROM 12-5-07 at 11:11am:
A few weeks ago, the Rockies offered a three-year, $30MM extension to 28 year-old sinkerballer Aaron Cook. The deal would cover the 2009-11 seasons, since the Rockies already exercised Cook at a below market $4.5MM for ’08. According to Troy Renck, Cook has been pondering the offer and will decide within a few days.
A month ago I suggested the Rockies and Cook could arrive at a Jake Westbrook-like three year, $33MM extension. That sounds about right, though it’s a little below-market.
Odds and Ends: Gregg, Hawkins, Tavarez
UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 1:12pm: Per Troy Renck, the Rockies denied interest in Tavarez.
UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 9:22am: The Rockies are one NL team confirmed to have an interest in Tavarez. He pitched for the Rox in 2000, making 12 starts.
FROM 12-5-07 at 12:31am:
Early Wednesday collection of randomness…
- The Marlins’ highest paid player is Kevin Gregg at $2.5MM. Trade that man, post-haste!
- The Rockies are starting to warm to the idea of giving LaTroy Hawkins two guaranteed years. Could’ve had him for one but they declined his option.
- Julian Tavarez would like to be traded to the NL and get a chance to start. The Red Sox hope for a bench player in return. Yesterday, Todd Zolecki named the Phillies as a possible suitor for Tavarez.
- Peter Gammons learned that Darin Erstad could retire to coach University of Nebraska football if he doesn’t find MLB interest suitable.
Rockies Interested In Iguchi
According to Troy Renck and Patrick Saunders, the Rockies met with Tadahito Iguchi’s agent yesterday to discuss their second base opening. Iguchi prefers the idea of second base, and is looking for a two-year deal. Other teams interested in Iguchi are the Dodgers, Giants, Phillies, and Brewers.
Other second basemen on Colorado’s radar include Chris Burke and Mark Loretta.
Cubs Asked For Spilborghs
A note at the end of Troy Renck’s column today: when the Rockies asked the Cubs about southpaw reliever Will Ohman, the Cubs asked for outfielder Ryan Spilborghs. Spilborghs hit 11 home runs in 264 ABs this year. The Rockies passed, and the Cubs went on to trade Ohman to the Braves.
Renck adds that the Cubs are "closing in on Kosuke Fukudome," which echoes Geoff Baker’s take last night.
ESPN’s Latest: Sosa, Prior, Kuroda, Reyes
UPDATE, 12-4-07 at 11:19pm: Ah, the truth comes out. Sammy Sosa’s people approached the Royals, but they weren’t interested.
FROM 12-4-07 at 3:17pm:
ESPN has a huge team at the Meetings; here are some tidbits that haven’t appeared elsewhere on MLBTR.
- Enrique Rojas says the Royals have interest in Sammy Sosa. Could that indicate a Mark Teahen trade is in the works also? Teahen is expected to move to first base to accomodate Jose Guillen, which would push Billy Butler to DH. But Sammy can only DH.
- Buster Olney says the Rangers and Padres are in on Mark Prior.
- The Padres also like lefties Glendon Rusch and Shawn Estes, and may sign both after the Rule 5 as a means of adding starting depth.
- Jayson Stark says the Mariners made an offer to Hiroki Kuroda in the range of four years, $45MM.
- Jerry Crasnick says Anthony Reyes is generating a lot of interest. The Cards, by the way, are open to trading Rick Ankiel, Chris Duncan, or Jim Edmonds.
- The Rockies have gotten in touch with Marcus Giles’ agent.
- The Astros aren’t interested in Jon Lieber, despite previous reports. They liked Matt Clement a bit among the injury guys but are over him now.
- Ryan Howard’s agent and the Phillies will sit down soon to talk about a long-term deal.
Angels, White Sox, Rockies, A’s Interested In Burke
UPDATE, 12-4-07 at 9:45pm: A White Sox source told MLB.com’s Alyson Footer not to look too much into their supposed interest in Burke.
UPDATE, 12-4-07 at 9:25pm: The Rockies have made a trade offer for Burke, according to the Denver Post.
FROM 12-4-07 at 8:07pm:
Just talked to a source close to Chris Burke. So far four teams have contacted Burke’s agent: the White Sox, Rockies, A’s, and Angels.
The 2001 first rounder is almost certain to be traded by the Astros; he just wants an opportunity to start somewhere. The Angels’ could have an opening if they trade Howie Kendrick.
Barmes For Burke Offered
According to Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post, the Rockies have offered shortstop Clint Barmes to the Astros for second baseman Chris Burke. Seems a reasonable swap of blocked middle infielders.
The Rockies will also meet with Mark Loretta’s agent tonight. Loretta is coveted by the Mariners as well.
Talks with the Astros about Brian Fuentes fizzled, so the Rockies will probably just keep him as a luxury.
Rockies Rumors: Fuentes, Fogg
UPDATE, 12-4-07 at 11:28am: More from Renck. He confirms the Red Sox’ interest in Fuentes and adds the Astros to the mix. While the Rox like Burke, the teams don’t really match up because that’s not enough.
UPDATE, 12-4-07 at 12:01am: The Denver Post’s Troy E. Renck has more.
- Brian Anderson – remember him? – is on the radar as a lefty swingman. The 35 year-old hasn’t pitched in the bigs since ’05.
- Renck ponders whether the Rox might revisit talks for Matt Morris, a sentiment echoed by Jenifer Langosch.
- Nothing seems to be imminent on the Fuentes-Lowrie rumor.
UPDATE, 12-3-07 at 9:21pm: A suitor for Fuentes has emerged. ESPN’s Amy Nelson says the Red Sox are interested and the Rockies could seek Jed Lowrie. Lowrie would be a nice fit at second base.
FROM 12-3-07 at 8:28pm:
MLB.com’s Thomas Harding checks in with some Rockies nuggets.
- The Rockies have no pressing need to trade Brian Fuentes, so they’ll sit pretty with two closers unless an impressive and helpful offer comes along. Dan O’Dowd believes four or five clubs might have the goods and need to get Fuentes. We’ll see.
- The Rox let Josh Fogg’s agent know they’d like to explore bringing him back. No figures were exchanged.
- The team still hopes to bring LaTroy Hawkins back, but they’d have to go to two years to pull that off. They already chose not to exercise an effective $3.5MM option on him. It seems the Rockies may have underestimated the interest in Hawkins.
