Rockies Considering Selling, Shopping Cook
2:54pm: The Rockies had feelers out a week ago on names ranging from Adam Dunn to Dan Haren, reports Joel Sherman of the New York Post. Sherman says the Rockies are now "quietly shopping" Aaron Cook and are willing to help make the financial aspect work. Cook is still owed $3.75MM this year if traded, plus $10.25MM for 2011, a $500K buyout for '12, and $125K per year if he reaches 200 innings.
7:51am: The Rockies are preparing for the possibility of becoming sellers, reports Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. They've not yet committed to that course, but they're eight games back in the NL West. But at 4.5 games out of the wild card, the Rockies still appear to have a legitimate playoff shot. Baseball Prospectus' postseason odds report puts their chances at a healthy 23.4% despite a recent losing streak.
Rosenthal says the Rockies are still eyeing Jorge Cantu and could move Melvin Mora, Ryan Spilborghs, and/or Brad Hawpe regardless of their direction. If the team's rough week continues and they start thinking about 2011, Jorge de la Rosa would be an interesting addition to the trade block. Rosenthal names Aaron Cook, Rafael Betancourt, and Joe Beimel as other possibilities.
De La Rosa has made three starts since returning from the DL for a finger injury. His last effort was solid, and he takes on the Pirates tonight. He'll be a free agent after the season and currently profiles as a Type B.
The Rockies’ Approach To Trade Clauses
The Rockies, known for producing their own talent, have taken an interesting approach to the no-trade clause in several recent contracts. Four examples:
- Aaron Cook's annual salaries increase by $1MM if traded. Many players have one-time assignment bonuses if traded, usually less than a million bucks. Mark Buehrle is one pitcher with a better trade inhibitor than Cook – he gets an extra $1MM per year and an additional year at $15MM is added to his contract.
- Brad Hawpe has a $10MM club option for 2011 with a $500K buyout, but he can void the option if traded. A GM may like the idea of controlling Hawpe through 2011, but only the Rockies have the privilege.
- Chris Iannetta can void his 2013 club option if he's traded before that season. Iannetta is only controlled through '13 if he remains a Rockie, something to keep in mind when tossing around trade scenarios.
- Troy Tulowitzki can void the remainder of his contract if he's traded. His team-friendly deal won't be transferred to another club without his permission. It's probably a moot point, as GM Dan O'Dowd told Tyler Kepner of the New York Times in March he hopes Tulo retires a Rockie.
Gammons On The Cubs’ Starter Pursuit
ESPN’s Peter Gammons has a new blog entry up, with the focus on the Cubs’ desire to add a starting pitcher. Gammons talked to a Cubs official who said, "We almost certainly will do something. But we really don’t want to give up Sean Gallagher at this point."
Here’s a quick rundown of the candidates:
- C.C. Sabathia – Cubs don’t believe they have enough to get him.
- Rich Harden – Gammons doesn’t specifically say the Cubs are interested, just that they’re monitoring Oakland.
- Randy Wolf – The Cubs have interest, and Gammons says Wolf would waive his no-trade to go to a contender. Plus, Wolf treated the Cubs well when they courted him in the 2006-07 offseason. Gammons adds that the Padres still like Matt Murton. History has shown that Jim Hendry and Kevin Towers work well together on trades.
- A.J. Burnett – The Cubs "also keep looking" at him. Last Thursday, Gammons’ colleague Jayson Stark hadn’t found "any indication that the Cubs have even batted his name around."
- Aaron Cook – Gammons says the Cubs would love him, but Rockies’ GM Dan O’Dowd said earlier this month, "We’re not doing anything with Cookie."
- Bronson Arroyo, Kevin Millwood – Gammons says the Cubs have "kicked around" these names.
Stark’s Latest: Holliday, Lofton, Hudson, Greinke
Time to delve into Jayson Stark’s latest column for ESPN.
- The Rockies are 9.5 games out, and if they slip further over the next month they may trade Matt Holliday or Garrett Atkins (not both). If so, they’d be flexible on the number and ages of the players they’d want in return. Aaron Cook will not be traded.
- Stark talked to one team official who speculated the Pirates could keep their outfield intact in the name of a run at .500. Presumably they’d be doing this for the fans, but diehards would probably prefer a sweet bounty of young players and a better ’09 draft pick.
- As we’ve discussed here, the Mariners don’t have much to trade. Raul Ibanez has decent value, but Erik Bedard will probably stay put unless a new GM is installed.
- The White Sox "made the most serious run yet" at Kenny Lofton, but he they balked at his $2.5-3MM asking price. Kenny…c’mon. We want to see you in baseball this year.
- Orlando Hudson might’ve signed below-market to play in New York, but the Mets signed Luis Castillo through 2011. How about the other New York team, in the event of a Robinson Cano trade?
- One AL exec believes the Royals would be best served to trade Zack Greinke now, and get an influx of even younger talent.
Jayson Stark’s Latest
Jayson Stark’s latest column is up and as usual he dips into the rumor-mill several times…
- Indians: According to other clubs, Cleveland is starting to float C.C. Sabathia’s name, but are making it clear that they are not ready to trade him. Stark says the Indians are scouting the Red Sox heavily. One executive says that it is hard to imagine somebody giving up prospects for a guy that will almost certainly test the free agency waters. That same executive says they would have a hard time giving seven years to a pitcher as big as Sabathia.
- Tigers: One AL executive says the Tigers don’t have any prospects of value left, but wonders if they won’t do something crazy in the trade market because of their "all in" payroll. Stark wonders if they would be willing to trade Jeremy Bonderman or a big bat for an arm.
- Braves: Atlanta might be more interested in bringing back Kevin Millwood as opposed to Greg Maddux, but Stark says that is very unlikely.
- Rockies: In addition to Matt Holiday and Brian Fuentes, there is a slim chance that Aaron Cook would be made available, but his salary goes up $1MM per year if he is dealt.
- A’s: Apparently the bounty sought by Oakland for Joe Blanton ("three young building-block players") has not been lowered since last summer.
- Royals: The Royals have already started listening to offers for a number of players but one executive says that list does not include their relief pitchers and those are the pieces of highest interest.
Cork Gaines writes for Rays Index and can be reached here.
Rockies Sign Hawpe Long-Term
Troy Renck of the Denver Post is reporting that the Rockies and Brad Hawpe have agreed to a three-year deal with a fourth-year option. The contract is worth $17MM with the 2011 option expected to be close to $10MM. The deal will lock up Hawpe for each of his arbitration seasons while the team option could eliminate his first year of free agency. The right fielder hit .291-29-116 with a 129 OPS+ in 2007.
The Rockies who won the NL last year with a payroll close to $52MM have now committed $91MM to four of their core players this off-season. In addition to Hawpe, the Rox have given long-term deals to Aaron Cook, Troy Tulowitzki and Manny Corpas. Colorado will see their payroll rise to $70-75MM in 2008.
Rockies, Cook Agree On Extension
The long-rumored three-year extension for Aaron Cook is now complete, according to MLB.com’s Thomas Harding. The sinkerballer gets $30MM to cover the 2009-11 seasons. He’s also got a mutual option for 2012. Some of the money is a bonus going toward 2008, as Cook was set to earn only $4.5MM.
Cook turns 29 in February. He posted a 4.12 ERA in 25 starts in ’07, ranking fourth in the league with a 57.9% groundball rate. Cook and fellow rotation anchor Jeff Francis are both locked in through 2011 now. The Rockies are still trying to find someone to replace Josh Fogg, who is likely to land elsewhere this winter.
Rockies Rumors: Iguchi, Cook, Kip, Holliday
UPDATE, 12-6-07 at 12:57pm: According to Thomas Harding of MLB.com, David Eckstein is now a Rockies’ target for second base. They talked to Mark Loretta today, also. Harding adds that the holdup on the Cook deal is the amount of a fourth-year option.
FROM 12-6-07 at 12:21pm:
The Denver Post’s Troy E. Renck has a lunchtime Rockies update.
- Renck doesn’t see Tadahito Iguchi getting Kaz Matsui money, noting that only the Rockies are pursuing Iguchi at his preferred position of second base. That could change if the Orioles trade Brian Roberts.
- Though Aaron Cook‘s 3/30 extension isn’t final, GM Dan O’Dowd believes it will get done.
- Free agents on the radar: LaTroy Hawkins, Shawn Chacon, Octavio Dotel, Victor Zambrano, and Kip Wells. There was recent chatter about Wells trying to become a setup man.
- According to Scott Boras, he’s never received a contract offer from the Rox for Matt Holliday. The original rumor was that the Rockies were planning to offer a four-year, $60MM extension.
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: Cook, Benoit, Griffey, Riske
Some random tidbits that didn’t get their own posts today…
- The Rockies picked up Aaron Cook‘s $4.5MM option as expected. The bigger question is whether they can sign him long-term, maybe for three years. They also passed on LaTroy Hawkins for $3.75MM but may still sign him.
- The Rangers agreed to a two-year contract with reliever Joaquin Benoit for two years and $6MM. He would’ve hit free agency after 2008. Smart move would be to let him rack up 10-15 saves next season and then trade him for something good.
- The Braves aren’t expected to get their next center fielder through free agency, and Terence Moore suggests trading for Ken Griffey Jr. to fill the position. More reasonable targets might be David DeJesus or Coco Crisp.
- The Royals may yet retain David Riske, who wants a multiyear deal and would like to stay. They’ll definitely offer him arbitration, since he’s a Type B free agent. Also, longtime Royal Mike Sweeney might finally play elsewhere.
- Free agent Shawn Chacon is looking to start in 2008, and he’ll make over $4MM.
- Charley Walters says the Twins won’t pursue Barry Bonds. If Bonds is to land in the AL, the Orioles, Devil Rays, Royals, Angels, and A’s may be his only options.
- McCovey Chronicles suggests a Noah Lowry for Bill Hall swap.