Rockies Rumors: Atkins, Holliday, Barmes
Let’s see what we can find in three new columns from Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post today.
- I wrote last week that the Rockies would come in a bit under $80MM after arbitration raises. Renck pegs it around $75MM.
- The team’s plan is to shop Garrett Atkins for a frontline starter. If the interest is not there (why would it be?), they could switch to Matt Holliday. Renck ponders Matt Cain and a prospect to Colorado, but that is a lot to give up for one year of Holliday. Plus the Giants are not looking to add an outfielder.
- Dave Krieger of the Rocky Mountain News analyzes whether the Rockies could afford to re-sign Holliday. He believes they could, but doesn’t expect them to go past five years.
- Renck sees Clint Barmes as the starting second baseman heading into ’09. Barmes could earn around $1.7MM as a first-time arbitration player.
- Manager Clint Hurdle admitted his starters are more like #2-5s, so it’d be perfect to add a #1 and push them all back. #1 starters are hard to come by, of course.
- Yorvit Torrealba isn’t happy as a backup but the Rockies aren’t looking to trade him. Meanwhile Willy Taveras is a non-tender candidate.
- The Rockies hope to re-sign free agent Glendon Rusch.
Carroll’s Latest: Torrealba, Wheeler, Dunn
Here’s the latest from Will Carroll at Baseball Prospectus. Some of this info is from this afternoon, so I apologize for the tardiness.
- The Rockies may still move a lesser player like Yorvit Torrealba, if anyone’s interested. There doesn’t seem to be a match with the catching-hungry Marlins though.
- Carroll tosses a new name into the relief market: Dan Wheeler. Would the Rays part with him?
- Carroll’s sources don’t think much of the recent Jeff Kent rumor.
- The White Sox have been aggressive in their relief pursuit; the Twins have been passive in general. The Mets, Rays, and Phillies have been quiet.
- Still no interest in Adam Dunn. The man has 30 home runs! Carroll says David Weathers is drawing some inquiries.
Marlins Rumors: Fuentes, Taveras, Torrealba
How about some Marlins rumors from MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro?
- The Marlins still like the Rockies’ Brian Fuentes, but aren’t willing to trade Chris Volstad for him (it’s unclear whether the Rockies asked, but he’s in line with their asking price for other teams).
- The Fish were previously linked to their expansion-mate on two other players, center fielder Willy Taveras and catcher Yorvit Torrealba. Frisaro’s source says that discussion is dead.
- Keep in mind that the Rockies are in third place, six games out. They may not want to throw in the towel.
Odds & Ends: Nady, Loewen, Torrealba
Just a few loose ends:
- Adam Loewen‘s career as a pitcher is over. The once highly-touted prospect is planning to reinvent himself as an outfielder/first baseman rather than opt for surgery and face a year and a half off.
- Dejan Kovacevic reports that Xavier Nady was out of the lineup on Saturday not because of any pending trade, but because Manager John Russell wanted to give him another day to catch up to himself after a number of days spent sitting in a hospital for the birth of his son, Xavier Jr.
- Yorvit Torrealba is still unhappy as a backup for Chris Ianetta. Most likely not a coincidence that he’s voicing it now with the deadline approaching.
Marlins Inquire On Ivan Rodriguez
Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald writes of the Marlins’ pursuit of a catcher, which has been going on for several weeks now.
The Fish would like to find an upgrade on Matt Treanor, who is currently on the DL with a hip strain. However, they’re not impressed by available backstops Paul Lo Duca, Yorvit Torrealba, and Dave Ross. Jackson adds an interesting name – the Marlins asked the Tigers about Ivan Rodriguez, but he’s not available at this time. They could always sign him in the offseason if the price is right.
We revisited the trade market for catchers about a week ago. Two names I haven’t heard much for the Marlins are Gregg Zaun and Rod Barajas of the Jays.
Reds Rumors: Weathers, Ross, Harang, Dunn
Time for a look at the Reds. They’re currently 11.5 games back in the NL Central and 8 out of the wild card.
- You might imagine the Reds are sellers, but GM Walt Jocketty won’t commit yet. The Reds’ current road trip against division foes may be the deciding factor.
- Jocketty says he’s been getting more phone calls since the CC Sabathia trade. Apparently interest has centered on reliever David Weathers and catcher Dave Ross. The Marlins could make sense for both, though they’re only said to have interest in Ross. The Fish are eager to snare a backstop, and are put off by Yorvit Torrealba‘s salary.
- On July 3rd, ESPN’s Jayson Stark said the Reds would accept bids on Aaron Harang. He cautioned that the Reds would have to be bowled over. Jocketty, however, downplayed the idea of a Harang trade. And with Harang possibly hurt, a trade is even less likely.
- Why is there no buzz on Adam Dunn yet? It might be because Dunn "hasn’t yet been made available," according to Will Carroll. I still think interest in Dunn will heat up in coming weeks. Joel Sherman wonders if the Reds would be hesitant to offer Dunn arbitration after the season for fear that he might accept. That could reduce the asking price.
Rockies Trade Talk: Torrealba, Taveras, Podsednik, Herges
Tracy Ringolsby of the Rocky Mountain News reports the Marlins have inquired on the availability of Rockies’ catcher Yorvit Torrealba, and outfielders Willy Taveras and Scott Podsednik.
Torrealba has been on Marlins radar and there’s continuing speculation that they will be buyers come July 31st.
Meanwhile, St. Louis inquired on pitcher Matt Herges to provide a veteran pressence in their bullpen.
Odds and Ends: Torrealba, Teixeira, Butler
Time to round up some linkage.
- The Brewers’ GM, assistant GM, and manager had a long private chat today.
- 2002’s #1 overall pick, Bryan Bullington, was designated for assignment today by the Pirates. Still can’t believe this guy was picked first overall.
- Andy Phillips‘ journey continues: he’s back with the Reds.
- The Rockies will honor Yorvit Torrealba‘s request by listening to trade offers for him. His stock is low, and the Marlins aren’t interested despite their plan to add a catcher.
- Mark Teixeira would prefer not to be traded this year. By the way, the Braves are at least considering sending Jeff Francoeur to the minors.
- Sam Mellinger explains why the Royals should not trade Billy Butler.
Rockies Rumors: Holliday, Fuentes, Torrealba
The Rockies have been even worse than the Padres – 19 games under .500, 10 games out in a lousy division. According to Tracy Ringolsby, they’ll decide at the All-Star break whether to officially become sellers.
Let’s start with closer Brian Fuentes, whose ERA jumped from 2.56 to 3.94 last night. Reports had the suitors at the Yankees, Mets, Red Sox, Phillies, and A’s. Ringolsby says to cross the A’s off the list and add the Rays, Cubs, and Cardinals. Ken Rosenthal tossed the Cubs into the mix on June 12th, but then changed that report. Troy E. Renck adds the Cardinals to the list.
Ringolsby rattles off teams interested in Matt Holliday: Cardinals, Rays, Angels, Dodgers, and Royals. Definitely some new names in there. Holliday is hitting .332/.415/.538 in 299 plate appearances (.309/.401/.472 on the road). Ringolsby says the A’s will "kick the tires" on Holliday but are more likely to pursue Willy Taveras.
We also have RotoWire, which reports that catcher Yorvit Torrealba told the Tigers’ radio network that he wants to be traded. After nearly signing with the Mets, Torrealba inked a two-year, $7.25MM deal with the Rockies. He is hitting as badly as expected: .252/.291/.387 in 180 PAs. He’s thrown out only 24% of runners, up slightly from last year. Torrealba has been splitting time with Chris Iannetta since May.
Odds and Ends: Hanley, Salcedo, Torrealba
Time to round ’em up…
- Rob Neyer guesses B.J. Upton is the next to get a long-term deal from the Rays. Back on April 24th, Jayson Stark wrote that the Upton family "has its own ideas about the market value of both brothers."
- Expect a Hanley Ramirez press conference today, or this weekend at the latest.
- Tribe Report walks us through the Edward Salcedo confusion.
- Yorvit Torrealba‘s agent has filed a grievance against the Mets over their nearly-signed three-year deal.
- Jon Heyman says nothing’s imminent with Ken Griffey Jr. Buster Olney wrote today that the Mariners are "not especially gung-ho" about trading for Junior.
- The Indians DFA’d Jason Tyner.
- A.J. Pierzynski attempts to dispel all those negative stories about his time with the Giants.