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Rockies Notes: Marquis, Betancourt, Giambi

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Tracy Ringolsby of Inside The Rockies examines Colorado's commitments for 2010, and the decisions they'll face regarding potential free agents and arbitration cases. Here are a few of his thoughts:

  • Jason Marquis has said he wants to sign with the Mets and likely won't be back in Colorado.
  • There's a good chance that lefty Alan Embree will retire.
  • Jose Contreras is interested in returning in a middle relief capacity, but Matt Belisle is a younger option for the team in that role.
  • The club would like to retain Rafael Betancourt, but his contract would have to be reworked. Betancourt has a $5.4MM club option for 2010.
  • Behind the plate, Chris Iannetta will be back as the starter. Yorvit Torrealba could return as Ianetta's backup, but probably not for more than $1MM.
  • The team may not have room for Jason Giambi, instead opting to use his roster spot on a right-handed hitter who can play both infield corners.
  • Righty relievers Juan Rincon and Matt Herges could receive minor-league invites.

Rockies Rumors: Betancourt, Marquis, Hawpe

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With the Rockies' 2009 season over, Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post is already discussing 2010.  Here's the latest:

  • Look for GM Dan O'Dowd to receive a new contract soon.  O'Dowd will then attempt to re-sign manager Jim Tracy.
  • Rafael Betancourt has a steep $5.4MM club option for 2010.  The reliever wants to return, and Renck finds it possible.  He says catcher Yorvit Torrealba, who has a $4MM mutual option, is less certain to remain with the team.
  • The Rockies are expected to let free agent starter Jason Marquis leave and replace him with Jeff Francis.  Presumably the Rockies will not offer arbitration to Marquis, a probable Type B free agent.  Jason Giambi, Jose Contreras, and Joe Beimel are possibilities to re-sign.
  • Renck sees Garrett Atkins as a trade or non-tender candidate.  It wouldn't make much sense for a team to acquire Atkins prior to the non-tender deadline in mid-December.
  • Renck considers right fielder Brad Hawpe a trade candidate given the Rockies' outfield depth.  Hawpe will earn $7.5MM in 2010, but he can void his $10MM option for 2011 if traded.  During the last four seasons, Hawpe has posted OBPs of .381 or better and SLGs of .498 or better.  The knock is that he can't hit lefties, but he did a tolerable job against them in 2008-09.  The other knock against Hawpe is his subpar defense.  He still might fit with the Cubs or Mets, in my opinion.

Trade Candidates: Catchers

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The market for catchers has been silent this year, as many contenders are set behind the plate. It’s partially a coincidence, but still noteworthy that so many of baseball’s best teams have catchers performing well. Here are a few backstops who could be available this month:

  • Ramon Hernandez – Likely expendable because of Ryan Hanigan's emergence, Hernandez has hit .252/.333/.368 with five homers and more walks than strikeouts this year. He doesn't come cheap though, as he makes $8MM.
  • Yorvit Torrealba - The Rockies have Chris Iannetta, so Torrealba and his career OPS of .700 are expendable. He'll earn $3.5MM this year and there's a mutual option for 2010 on his contract.  
  • Ivan Rodriguez – The Astros aren't selling now, but Rodriguez, who was dealt at last year's deadline, could become trade bait if Houston falls out of it. He makes from $1.5-3MM this year, depending on incentives.
  • Javier Valentin – This free agent hit relatively well with the Reds as recently as last year.

Rockies Re-Instate Torrealba, DFA Paul Phillips

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Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post reports that the Rockies re-instated Yorvit Torrealba from the restricted list today and designated Paul Phillips for assignment. Torrealba was expecting to be traded, and the Rockies had hoped to find a suitor for him, but the $2MM left on his contract "complicated" any potential deal, according to Renck.

Torrealba was placed on the restricted list a month ago following the kidnapping of his son, who was returned safely. It was reported earlier today that this decision would be delayed until Friday. According to Renck, it is unclear why the move was made today instead.

Rockies Rumors: ‘Pen, Atkins, Torrealba

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Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post has the latest on the Rockies' search for a reliever and details on a couple trade chips:

  • The Rockies had interest in Joel Hanrahan before he was dealt to the Pirates.
  • They would love to reacquire LaTroy Hawkins, but he's not available now. 
  • The D'Backs would part with Chad Qualls.
  • The Padres are expected to move Cla Meredith.  
  • Garrett Atkins could be moved and the Red Sox seem to be a logical fit, but a history of failed deals between the two sides could slow talks. The Red Sox have scouted Atkins, but their interest level isn't known.
  • Yorvit Torrealba's future remains uncertain and he says he'd like to remain in Colorado, though he realizes he might be dealt.

Rockies Looking For Pitching

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Rockies GM Dan O'Dowd told Dave Krieger of the Denver Post something we've heard a lot of recently: there just aren't that many sellers right now. Here are the details from Krieger's column:

  • Winners of 17 of their last 19, the Rockies are looking to improve their rotation and their 'pen.
  • O'Dowd isn't sure anyone in the NL other than the Pirates, Nationals and Padres would engage in trade talks right now.
  • The Rockies could move Jorge De La Rosa to the bullpen if they acquire a starter. 
  • Garrett Atkins and Yorvit Torrealba are available, but haven't drawn much interest.

2010 Options: Colorado Rockies

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Let's scope out the options facing the Colorado Rockies this coming offseason.

  • Yorvit Torrealba – $4MM mutual option with a $0.5MM buyout. Torrealba's taken a backseat to Chris Iannetta in playing time, turning in a .649 OPS in 61 at-bats this season. He's faced some tough personal issues as of late as his son and brother-in-law were recently freed from kidnappers in Venezuela. The Rockies were apparently shopping Torrealba in March, which probably points toward a buyout at the season's end.
  • Alan Embree – $3MM club option with a $0.25MM buyout. Embree's been fairly horrendous versus both righties and lefties this season, posting a 6.60 ERA in 15.1 innings, and just officially lost his set-up role last week. Chances are he's bought out.

Odds & Ends: Twins, Rockies, Yankees

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Ed Price at FanHouse.com has some Odds & Ends of his own in the Overheard and Understood section of his column.

  • The Twins are looking for a setup man who can provide good control. Internally, it's a big deal for them.
  • The Rockies could wind up dumping contracts midseason if they find themselves out of contention. Price quotes one exec saying, "Unless they move ($3.5-million salaried backup catcher Yorvit) Torrealba, they're not taking on any money."
  • The Mariners say no player is untouchable. The M's are seeking "athletes" says Price.
  • Brett Anderson and Trevor Cahill will get the last two spots in Oakland's rotation.
  • The Padres are "dying for pitching" and "will claim anybody" on waivers, says Price.
  • If Cody Ransom gets exposed by playing on a daily basis, then the Yankees may need a stopgap to fill third base until Alex Rodriguez's mid-may return.

Rockies Hope To Trade Torrealba, Baker

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Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post writes today about the Rockies desire to trade catcher Yorvit Torrealba and infielder Jeff Baker.

Torrealba was signed in November of '07 after coming close to a deal with the Mets.  The Rockies had reached the World Series with Torrealba behind the dish, and Chris Iannetta had yet to emerge.  Now, though, the Rox would love to move Torrealba and the $4MM owed to him for '09.  Renck says they shopped him hard this winter but came up empty.  The Rockies like Sal Fasano as the backup catcher and don't have much use for Torrealba.

Baker, 27, hit .268/.322/.468 in 333 plate appearances for the Rockies last year, crushing lefties while struggling away from Coors.  Baseball Prospectus likens Baker to former Padre Archi Cianfrocco, circa 1994.  Baker has spent time at first base, second base, third base, left field, and right field in his career.  Yesterday Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports said the Phillies, Astros, and Pirates were interested.  Rosenthal suggested Phillies pitcher Kyle Kendrick as a possible target for the Rockies, but Phils GM Ruben Amaro Jr. doesn't see that as a fair trade.  Renck says the Pirates and Astros have interest in Baker while the Yankees, Braves, and Phillies have a need.  Baker is trying to bounce back from elbow soreness this spring.

Rockies Talking Trade With Reds

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8:50pm: Reds GM Walt Jocketty says nothing is close with the Rockies; he’s talked to a lot of clubs.  His snide remark: "They all didn’t allow it to get out."

Jocketty talked to the Rockies about Matt Holliday, but it was a short discussion.

7:37pm: Tracy Ringolsby of the Rocky Mountain News says the Reds have definite interest in Atkins, but not Torrealba or Taveras.  The Reds like the idea of adding Atkins’ righthanded bat.  They don’t like Torrealba’s price and Taveras’ inability to get on base.  Ringolsby says the Phillies, Angels, and Twins are also after Atkins.

3:28pm: Troy Renck confirms Rosenthal’s report, and also speaks of speculation that the Red Sox will make a run at Chris Iannetta.  A long shot to be sure.

Other Rockies notes: Renck says the Rox told people close to Manny Corpas that he’s still the closer, meaning Street might be on the outs.  Additionally, the Rockies have expressed interest in Carl Pavano.

1:17pm: Ken Rosenthal says the Rockies aren’t done dealing – they’re talking trade with the Reds and other clubs.  The Reds like Willy Taveras, Yorvit Torrealba, and Garrett Atkins, with a "definite interest" in Taveras.

Meanwhile the Indians like newly acquired Huston Street and the Nationals are one club eyeing Carlos Gonzalez.  Rosenthal says the Rockies figure to hang on to Greg Smith.

It seems we can’t yet judge the Holliday trade for the Rockies.  It did seem odd that they would acquire a closer and a young center fielder, two positions at which they already had solid options.

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