Comments on: Hawpe Not On Market

By: Ham

Ham — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 05:03:08 +0000

Tracy, Has there been any talk about signing Carlos Gonzalez to a long term contract like the Rockies did for Tulo? CarGo seems to be the next big superstar, and although I understand the team has his rights for the next 5(?) years, might this be a prudent thing to do? Or, would all bets on this be off, since his agent is Scott Boras. Your comments on this situation and/or possibility would be appreciated.

By: Liz

Liz — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 17:11:21 +0000

I really do not have anything more to say than has been said, but, I want to thank Tracy for this Web Site and for all the information. I am a Hawpe fan do not give him up for nothing if we got a deal like we did with Holiday okay but otherwise keep him.

By: ProgMatinee

ProgMatinee — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 23:00:19 +0000

I don’t think anyone is suggesting Hawpe rides the bench in 2010. IMO the playoff games were not the preferred situation based on a season’s worth of merit. The truth was Hawpe was in a slump and both Fowler and Gonzales were doing well, so they couldn’t bench them, so Hawpe got the bench to allow for Spilly and Smith to show something. Had we faced Pedro in game 4 or any other right hander I’m 100% sure that Hawpe would have played and Smith would have been in for Fowler.

So I don’t think those 3 games were at all a sign of what the starting line up would be on opening day 2010.

Now, personally I would support a Hawpe trade for the right parts (I don’t mean prospects, more like a seasoned veteran pitcher or a stud 2nd basemen like Dan Uggla) but that is in no way saying I think he deserves to be canned for nothing. I just happen to think a Hawpe trade would catch the best return, Seth Smith wouldn’t get what I perceive as his value in return unless packaged with others.

By: Dan

Dan — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 17:54:15 +0000

Having Hawpe as the 4th outfielder doesnt make any sense, especially at his salary for a team always complaining about the payroll. What they need is a RH power hitter,not a lefty like Hawpe that strikes out way to much. Why not use his value to improve the team instead of having him ride the bench. Was that the old Wyoming Cowboy I saw down at the AFA game last saturday? You know, the game your Cowboys didnt show up for!

By: Agbayani

Agbayani — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 01:31:14 +0000

Umm, Ryan Zimmerman’s not going anywhere. Especially not for that package.

Ian Stewart is interesting. Not so much the next George Brett (and no, I didn’t really expect that). Russell Branyan with good 3B defense? I could live with that — that’s actually a pretty valuable player. Dan Szymborski at baseballthinkfactory has his top comp as Cory Koskie. Assuming his career is a bit longer, I could also live with that.

Tracy, thanks for the 2007 write-up blurb on Seth Smith. Do you think that his breakout was primarily a function of a renewed commitment/training discipline? That could explain his relatively late blooming.

If Hawpe stays around, I do like the idea of using him at 1B to spell Helton. That way you effectively plug in Smith in the batting order for Helton (all 4 outfielders playing at once). That’ll probably be better than whatever bargain veteran right handed corner man we can find.

By: rumpus008

rumpus008 — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 00:12:55 +0000

The Rockies need a big fat bat — three of the four teams still in it have legit power in the middle of their lineup. I’d like to see Tulo in the three hole, not clean-up. Who cares about Hawpe. He isn’t the issue. The Rox won’t get over the hump without a legit, right handed 40 HR, .300 avg hitter in the four hole. Stewey isn’t it . . . plus he’s a lefty.

This team is a breath away from a WS Championship but O’Dowd is going to have to give up some of his prized home-grown possessions to get there.

I’d give up Stewart, Chacin or Rogers and Hawpe for Ryan Zimmerman and a solid Single A prospect. This would clear Hawpe’s salary for more bullpen help, open the outfield for Smith and add a young, heavy hitter who’s solid defensively.

Risky? Yes, but the move would show O’Dowd’s got the cajones to try to push this team to the top.

By: Rockpile

Rockpile — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 23:06:27 +0000

If the Rockies hold on to Hawpe as O’Dowd says, I don’t think the outfield would be overcrowed with Hawpe, Smith, Dex and Cargo all fighting for playing time. All four can split time.

Also, to get Hawpe some at bats, I would use him as my backup first baseman occasionally to rest Helton. Hawpe does have experience at first base because he played it in the minors. And I assume the current 1b backup Garrett Atkins will be gone, so those at bats can go to Hawpe. If it were up to me, I’d start Hawpe 10-15 games a year at 1b to rest Helton.

By: ProgMatinee

ProgMatinee — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:12:21 +0000

Thank you for the info Tracy. That was a deep top 15. About half of those guys have made a truly significant impact to the Rox over the past 3 years.

By: Tracy Ringolsby

Tracy Ringolsby — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 11:28:43 +0000

snel7083, as posted on this site on Monday, the deals will be finalized this week. It’s just a matter of finalizing details. There should be no hang up.

By: snel7083

snel7083 — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 04:32:49 +0000

I keep waiting to see that Odowd and tracy are signed. How long will that take????