Rockies Interested In Chad Cordero
Surprisingly, Ken Rosenthal is indicating that the Rockies are interested in Nationals closer Chad Cordero. I didn’t realize the Rockies were that serious about bullpen help, but it makes sense. However, Cordero doesn’t seem like the right target as he is a flyball pitcher.
It may be a moot point in that discussions haven’t occurred for weeks between the two clubs. It seems that Jim Bowden is looking for two of the Rockies’ five best prospects, and they have some excellent ones. Of course, Trader Jim is in the catbird seat. Other highlights of Rosenthal’s article:
- The Rangers want a decent right-handed hitting fourth outfielder like Chris Denorfia or Jason Ellison. Ellison seems more likely to be dealt as he’s out of options. Ellison’s not young, but hitting .400 for a third of a season at Triple A should draw some attention.
- In addition to the Cubs, Marlins, and Rangers, the Twins like Clint Barmes. Despite an awful ’06, Barmes definitely has his uses. PECOTA calls for a fairly solid .277/.321/.421 line.
- Perhaps in an attempt to lead the league in DL days, the A’s inquired on Chris Snelling. Again, Bowden asked for too much in return.
Lieber, Kim Rumors
Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post has some trade rumor tidbits from around baseball this morning. To summarize:
- Renck does not think the Phils truly want to use Jon Lieber as a reliever, and mentions two scenarios floating around. Lieber could be paired with Aaron Rowand and sent to the White Sox, which I would think would require at least Mike MacDougal. Would be interesting to see Liebs back in Chicago if old pals KW and "Stand Pat" Gillick can work it out. Or, he could go to Milwaukee for Kevin Mench. Such a trade would have to push Claudio Vargas to the bullpen.
- Renck says the Rockies like Mark Hendrickson despite his mediocrity and their stable of starters. The Dodgers would like to include Hendrickson as part of a bigger deal for a slugger.
- Byung-Hyun Kim to Florida is a long shot unless the Rox eat most of his $2.5MM salary. The Rocky Mountain News reiterates that the interested parties are Florida, Oakland, and Texas. You can add the Pirates to that list as well. The Bucs could also trade for Armando Benitez.
- John Thomson seems likely to be released. The A’s have been rumored.
Byung-Hyun Kim On The Block
According to the Rocky Mountain News, the Pirates, Marlins, Dodgers, and A’s have interest in pitcher Byung-Hyun Kim. The Denver Post only mentions the A’s, however.
The source I talked to said the Marlins actually have no interest in Kim, and the Dodgers only do if they can move Mark Hendrickson in the trade. It really seems to be the A’s leading the pack because of reservations with Joe Kennedy. Kennedy wasn’t going to pitch 200 innings anyway, so they’ve known for a while that they need a strong sixth man.
If the Pirates were to acquire Kim, they’d quietly have some solid starting pitching depth in the organization.
Orioles Like Josh Fogg
According to the Denver Post, Josh Fogg remains on Baltimore’s radar after they almost traded for him a few months ago. Fogg makes $3.625MM in his walk year.
Fogg is one of those guys who just shows up and puts in his 170 lackluster innings. He doesn’t get strikeouts, doesn’t have great control, doesn’t get a lot of groundballs, and pitches to contact. I’m not sure how the Orioles can win the wild card if they give him 30 starts. They’ve already got Steve Trachsel.
Ken Rosenthal’s Latest
Ken Rosenthal has been hard at work with his sources, and he has a new article at FOX Sports. Some highlights:
- The Marlins and Dodgers are interested in Byung-Hyun Kim as a reliever, and the A’s could add him as the fifth starter instead of Joe Kennedy. Kim, a 28 year-old sidearmer, hasn’t closed since ’03 with Boston. A trade to Florida would make him the ninth inning favorite though. He’ll earn $2.5MM this year.
- The Rockies like Mark Hendrickson of L.A., and they may release Josh Fogg this spring. I wouldn’t discard Kim while acquiring Hendrickson; Kim projects as a slightly better pitcher. Advantages to acquiring Hendrickson from Dan O’Dowd’s point of view: a slightly better groundball rate and two years remaining until free agency.
- The Blue Jays want to give Josh Towers a rotation spot. Towers has nine Ks in nine innings this spring while allowing two runs. Does spring training really have that kind of influence on a team’s decision-makers? Towers will make $2.9MM this season, but he’s still pretty far from free agency. The Jays would like to trade John Thomson; otherwise they may release him. As a newly signed free agent Thomson can veto any deal. He’d be wise to take a trade to the NL, in my opinion.
- Rosenthal thinks the Orioles and Nationals will be competing for Mark Teixeira, who will become a free agent after the 2008 season. Tex is a Maryland native, which usually doesn’t matter for a Boras client. But Boras might actually be able to use this to get the two clubs bidding against each other.
Byung-Hyun Kim Trade Seems Likely
The Rockies have too many starters, and one of Byung-Hyun Kim and Josh Fogg is likely to be dealt before the season begins.
Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post says that the Rockies have made it known in recent talks that Kim is available. He speculates that Kim’s lower salary and relative youth make him the more attractive pitcher. Oh, and there’s also the fact that he’s better than Fogg.
You know what would be awesome? If the Red Sox traded for Kim and used him as their closer again. But seriously, there should be strong interest around baseball in Kim as a starter or reliever. He wouldn’t be a bad fit on the Cardinals.
Alay Soler, Javy Lopez Released
A couple of guys were released recently, but one should find work shortly.
The Mets released Cuban defector Alay Soler, who did not fit into their rotation plans but was making decent money. Soler, apparently 28, has only made 12 pro starts in this country. It was a cost-cutting move, as Soler would’ve made $620K at Triple A. Seems odd for the Mets to be cutting costs. He looked strong at Double A and below and would be a fine fit with the Nationals.
Javy Lopez was released yesterday by the Rockies. He seems likely to retire unless the Braves will have him. This should open the door for Chris Iannetta to get 400+ ABs.
Jason Hirsh Interview
Rockies starter Jason Hirsh was recently ranked the 42nd best prospect in baseball by Baseball America. Recently, he was kind enough to answer some questions for MLB Trade Rumors via email. Jason and his brother Matt maintain a website called Brothers In Arms; check it out.
It appears that you were nearly traded to the White Sox in early December for Jon Garland. Did that possibility take you by surprise? What are your feelings on the city of Chicago?
I had heard about the ChiSox rumor and then it was finally in USA today and I really didn't think anything of it. I called my agent and asked him if he had heard anything and he said no, it was just a bunch of talk from the winter meetings that someone from the media got hold of and ran with it. I thought Chicago would have been cool, everyone I know says the town is awesome and I know the fans are very loyal.
Did the near-White Sox trade give you a chance to prepare mentally for the eventual deal to Colorado about a week later?
I took the ChiSox deal with a grain of salt so I was completely blindsided by the deal to Colorado. I don't think anything could have mentally prepared me for that bombshell when it was dropped on me.
The Rockies have an "organization guided by Christianity" (see article here). Is this drastically different than your past clubhouses? Do you feel comfortable in this environment as a member of the Jewish faith?
Being in the clubhouse now for the last few weeks here in Spring Training I have never felt more comfortable around a group of guys in my professional career. Everyone is very accepting of me and they are all friendly, even the seasoned vets. I feel as though I've been with this organization my whole career so its definitely comforting to know that everyone gets along even though some of us come from different backgrounds.
Colorado has more starting pitching depth than ever…would you be disappointed not to make the starting rotation right away? Are you comfortable in the bullpen?
I think I would be disappointed for sure if I didnt make the rotation out of Spring Training. I was told when the trade went down that I was going to be a vital part of this rotation this year and then they went out and signed like 4 more starting pitchers. I understand that they are trying to create competition and get the most bang for their buck, but I think that I can outdo them all and win a spot in this rotation. I'm not very comfortable in the bullpen, I've been raised as a starter my whole life/career so coming from the pen is not my cup of tea so to speak. I have a difficult time getting loose and getting into the mindframe of a reliever, but if the pen is where I'm destined to go then so be it, but I believe I'm better suited for starting.
How do you feel about your changeup these days? Do you have confidence to throw it at any time?
Personally I feel like my changeup is my second best pitch right now behind my fastball. My confidence in it has swooned the last two years. I've really got a feel for it and I'm definitely not afraid to throw it in any count to any hitter.
Do you think you'll ever get a chance to pitch against your brother Matt?
I hope that at some point down the line in my career that both Matt and I will have the opportunity to pitch against each other, but I know he still has a lot of development ahead of him, but I know he'll make it!
Helton Meets With Rockies’ Owner
Take it for what it’s worth – Rockies first baseman Todd Helton met with team owner Charlie Monfort on Thursday but declined to comment on the nature of the conversation. In the opinion of Buster Olney:
"If the Red Sox and Rockies rekindled trade talks, getting a deal done might take about 3.4 seconds, because there was already a structure in place and both sides would have great reason to be motivated to get this done."
And Ken Davidoff of Newsday mentioned today:
"The widespread industry belief is that the Red Sox and Rockies will re-ignite trade discussions involving Todd Helton. The two clubs remain stalled in a game of chicken. Boston doesn’t want to give up any young players with potential, with only expensive veterans Mike Lowell and Julian Tavarez on the table, and the Rockies don’t want to hand over Helton in a straight salary dump."
The Red Sox remain in the catbird seat with this potential deal, as Helton is not a strong need for them in any way. They can just sit back and see if the Rockies cave and pay $40-45MM of his contract to get Manny Delcarmen.
Rockies Sign Steve Finley
The Rockies signed center fielder Steve Finley to a minor league contract today. He’ll serve as Willy Taveras‘s backup. The soon-to-be 42 year-old didn’t do anything with the bat last year but still got 426 ABs for the Giants.
PECOTA sees him hitting .245/.318/.378 in 186 plate appearances, while ZiPS sees .227/.291/.335. Finley’s range in center is obviously diminished, but if he can outhit the PECOTA a little bit he’ll be a fine backup.