Rockies – Winter Meetings Moves
One of the few times I follow Twitter, to keep up on any possible Rox news around trading time. Feel free to add what you might hear regarding any Rockies action at the winter meetings.
Just posted on MLB Trade Rumors and Troy Renck.
The Rockies claimed outfielder Jamie Hoffmann off waivers from the Dodgers, announced the team on Twitter. Hoffmann, 27, hit .297/.356/.497 with 22 home runs in 533 plate appearances for the Dodgers’ Triple-A team this year, playing all three outfield positions. Added to Rox 40 man roster according to Renck.
Thomas Harding adds: Hoffman, 27, spent most of last season at Triple-A Albuquerque, where he hit .297 with 22 home runs, 23 doubles, 84 RBIs and 14 steals in 133 games. He has hit .154 with a home run, two doubles and seven RBIs in 16 games from 2009 to 2011.
Originally signed as a non-drafted free agent in 2003 out of New Ulm (N.M.) High School, Hoffman was chosen by the Nationals in the 2009 Rule 5 Draft and traded to the Yankees before being returned to the Dodgers during 2010 Spring Training.
The move brings the Rockies’ 40-man Major League roster to 38. The roster will increase to 39 when catcher Ramon Hernandez’s two-year, $6.4 million becomes official. Hernandez’s agreement is pending a physical.
He may be one of those under the radar guys, but on the surface adding a 27 year old outfielder to an already crowded minor league outfield list doesn’t help.
Probably end up fighting it out with Cole Garner for a single roster spot.
Has yet to get even a casual mention by MLB at the meetings although they have had the information scrollling across the bottom of the screen for awhile now.
Prog, I think that you have it exactly right. This new guy competes with Cole Garner for one spot, and it may be that neither one of them wins the spot if the Rockies bring in a better right handed outfielder by trade or free agency, which is a possibility. This is a really minor move concerning the fourth or fifth outfielder on the team. On the other hand, if this guy turns out to win a job out of spring training, then it’s a good move, and we didn’t give up anything in terms of tradeable players or free agency dollars. Maybe he’s a late bloomer.
Jerry Hairston and Aaron Harang to the Dodgers. Each got 2yr deals.
Guess this the only othet Rox thing happening today I can find – Thomas Harding writes,
“Rox like Polanco, but salary issues could hamper pursuit of trade
If the Phillies look to move veteran infielder and No. 2 hitter Placido Polanco, the Rockies would have interest. However, making a $7.25 million guarantee for 2012 into a payroll that might not be any higher than last year’s would prove difficult.
The Rockies need a professional hitter such as Polanco, 36, a seasoned postseason performer who could add a measure of toughness to a Rockies team that lacked it last season while going 73-89. On the field, the Rockies would have to determine whether Polanco can play second base as well as third, or if he is strictly a third baseman. And the team would have to get a handle on where he stands health-wise. He is recovering from offseason sports hernia surgery. The Phillies haven’t decided whether to move Polanco. Much depends on whether the Phillies sign Jimmy Rollins. If the Phillies don’t sign him, they may look for a third baseman such as Aramis Ramirez and deal Polanco.
However, the Rockies would have to move some salary, and that’s not easy.”
Rockies have needed a power-hitting righthanded batter for two years now. Sure, they need a second baseman and a third sacker; but a righty bat to hit behind Helton would be a huge asset. And not Jonny Gomes, either.
Is O’Dowd doing anything to address this?
Wigginton and Lopez were costly mistakes. Team may argue they’re saving $2M by sending Wigginton to Phils; but in reality they’re paying $2M for him to go away. Let’s hope they use the ‘extra’ two million to improve the team.
Here is my problem with Polanco. Forget that he is 36. Forget that he is guarantied $7.6m. If he is a “profesional hitter” then why do the Phillies want to upgrade? He won a gold glove didn’t he? Because they won’t go 6 yrs with Rollins? Hmmm Wonder what the Phillies fans are saying on their local sites.
Not that I’m a big Jimmy Rollins fan but I have to agree with the stuff brought up on MLBTV and the Phillies treatment of Rollins.
Two names that were brought up on here several times over this past season. So much for David Wright. Sounds like he will be unavailable until the break. Wandy Rodrigez. Astro’s won’t discount him a nickel or eat a penny of his salary.
Ian Stewart. PLEASE pull your head out and get a good breath of fresh air. What happened to that #4 BA ranking? You have the tools. Step up!
could we be stockpiling outfielders to use in trades-i.e.Prado or others.I liked Harang’s last season with Padres.Stayed healthy and eat innings-hey weren’t we looking for a guy like that,or just more DOD bulls…?
Speaking of stockpiling…Rox to add another pitcher:
Thosas Haring, “Rockies agree to acquire Slowey from Twins
DALLAS — The Rockies have agreed to acquire right-handed pitcher Kevin Slowey from the Twins for a player to be named. The deal will be announced officially sometime Tuesday morning.
Slowey, 27, is coming off a difficult 2011 in which he struggled a switch to the bullpen early, battled forearm and abdominal injuries, and finished the year 0-6 with a 6.67 ERA in 14 appearances, including eight starts.
Slowey went 13-6 with a 4.45 ERA in 30 games, 28 starts, in 2010.”
IRT Harang, his numbers were obviously helped out by pitching his home games at PetCo…he’s a fly ball guy, so he would more than likely get lit up at Coors…no way I would want someone like him here…
The DP mentioned the Rockies being interested in Placido Palanco. I think that would be a great move by the Rockies if they played him AT SECOND BASE! Placido would also fit perfectly into the 2nd spot in the order which is also a need for the Rockies. Then Seth Smith could be used in a different deal perhaps another chip that could land the outfielder mentioned earlier that the Rockies had interest in on the Reds (Forgot his name) and Edison Volquez. Then third base would be the last major hole to fill.
MLB Trade Rumor. ESPN’s Jason Stark tweets : “The Rockies are willing to eat all of Huston Street’s $8MM salary for prospects, He says the Padres are a possibility.”
Pooter, we did talk about Polanco above a little. First off, the Phillies are in clarification mode today. If you believe the Phillies it sounds like maybe the media ran with a story prematurely. The Phillies are now making it known that they are NOT shopping Polanco. Instead, they are using the term “feeler” and will only consider trading him if they don’t re-sign Rollins.
I’m not onboard with siging him. Why?
1)Phillies are willing to pay only about a third of the $7.25 million left on Polanco’s contract ($6.25 million next year, plus a $1 million buyout of his $5.5 million option for 2013).
2)last season he dealt with injuries and only hit .243, and with just 10 extra-base hits and a .287 slugging percentage
3)had surgery to repair a sports hernia after the season.
4)TONS of money owed for a 36yr old player
5)hasn’t really played 2nd base since leaving the Tigers in 09 so I believe the Rockies would probably give him a go at 3rd.
If they are really willing to eat Street’s whole contract for prospects that’s probably the clearest and loudest sign that they aren’t really motivated in 2012.
How do you waste $8mm of your budget for someone not playing for you…and someone who is at least somewhat effective?
I know Street gives us all heart problems, but you can’t deny his numbers. Unlike Franklin Morales who scared us all to death AND had the stats to justify the fears.
Another “why” question/critique of Dan O’Dowds business practice.
Why are the Rockies always willing to eat $$$ on back ends of contracts for players like Atkins, Hawpe, Street, Wigginton, Cook…basically paying players to NOT PLAY, yet they are always so CHEAP and hesitant to pay good players fair contracts like Holliday, Berkman, Michael Young, etc. Why was Dan Uggla too expensive?
Why do the Rockies get themselves in bad contracts on bad players yet refuse to open the wallet for GOOD players?
God help the Rockies if they didn’t have Tulo and Cargo willing to take 10 year contracts.
Tracy Ringolsby will be live in less than 5 minutes at the meetings. Something brewing???
Ok, so according to Mr. Ringolsby the Rockies agenda #1 is to move Huston Street. Guthrie straight up for Street??? Wow. As much as a like Huston Street I think that might not be a bad deal.
Mr. Ringolsby, I couldn’t agree more with your comments on baseball in Miami. I would say that applies to baseball in St. Pete also.
#1 agenda item is to get rid of somebody, that sure doesn’t say anything positive for the team’s motivations to me.
Didn’t we consider him as a “pro” of the Holliday trade? Now he’s a “get rid of at all costs” guy? Seems a bit contradictory and in a sense cruel to a guy who actually put up decent numbers.
If we’re making these moves to pick up Kevin Slowey types I’m far from sold here.
Maybe the more optimistic contributors can convince me otherwise. I just can’t see it yet.
I have to agree Prog. The Slowey signing is a mystery to me. It may be darn right ugly depending on who the player to be named Thu is. I just don’t see it.
If my highly trained pronostication skills are at all tuned in, the Rockies just might have the best 2012 AA starting rotation to start the season in all of baseball with:
White
Bettis
Cabrera
Chatwood
Gardner
Wow that’s pretty solid and very deep, leaving lesser players like Fraiser, Williamson, Houston, Riordan and Sullivan highly expendable.
AAA not quite so much with my current guess to be:
Rogers
Friedrich
Mortenson
Reynolds
Scahill
Guthrie does not excite me at all!!!
Rich M, I’ve seen comments about Scahill and Gardner being turned into relievers. Also, if they are not in the Rockies’ rotation will White and Chatwood start the year at Tulsa or CS?
Both White and Chatwood are coming off seasons where they were rushed to the MLB by other teams before they were actually ready. As such I think the Rockies will try to rebuild their confidence by having them pitch at AA Tulsa where they will likely find some success. The number of successful Rockie prospect pitchers that have spent extended time at Colorado Springs is fairly small.
While you are right in that Scahill and Gardner may be moved to the bullpen at some point, I think the Rockies will exhaust every possible option to make them successful starters before making that somewhat permanent move to the pen.
“yet refuse to open the wallet for GOOD players?”
How can you make that statement when we opened the wallet for Todd Helton, DLR, Tulo, and CarGo. Not to mention that we were ready to pay Wandy Rodriguez’ contract when we claimed him off post-trade waivers. You’re way off the facts.
Jeremy Guthrie? I’d trade Street for him in a heartbeat. He’s shown signs (late ’10) of being a great starter. Bring him to the National League and see what he can do.
Hey Julian, think back a month or so ago and our conversation regarding Pacheco’s future roll. We were discussing the contradictory stories. Remember I felt that JT and Mr. Geivett were not on the same page?
Well here is a little clarification direct from Mr. O’Dowd regarding Jordon Pacheco.
“He’s a work in progress behind the plate, but certainly we didn’t spend the last four years trying to develop him as a catcher to abandon that”
Do we,or don’t we have Hernadez behind the dish? Is the physical the hangup? I thought this was a done deal.
Looks like we gave up little to get Slowey,so probably a good gamble.Haven’t ROX coveted him for a couple of off seasons?If Street can be traded straight up for a starter[Volquez or Gutherie]ROX should do it.Leaving him in the division for prospects sounds financially and tactically a BAD idea.
rmh, I’m not considering extending contracts on players we already have locked down. I’m talking about roster improvements to get the team over the hump.
In the past 5 off seasons since the World Series how many of those do you consider the Rockies made net positive moves? The only year that the Rockies made an attempt at roster upgrades was last year and it was a miserable attempt at best.
Just to clear the air on the Tulo and Cargo moves…IMO they are great shrewd moves by the organization. But I am not going to say that moves that end up saving the organization a lot of money in the long term signify “opening the wallets”.
If Tulo or Cargo were free agents would Colorado be in the running for either of them? If Todd Helton wasn’t here would the Rockies be in the running for Pujols or Fielder?
The Rockies are never in the running for the best players at “fair market value”. The Monforts and O’Dowds bought Cargo and Tulo on sale. Great for them, great for us, but when it comes time to put together the rest of the menu sometimes you have to pay full price for an ingredient or 2.
I prefer the ingredients the Rockies pay full price on are the substantial ones that actually make the product better, not guys like Lopez and Wigginton.
Yep keep on bottom feeding, isn’t like we have enough outfielder. Can’t be better than the kids we have and who are younger.
And as for Todd Helton he leads of all active players with the best onbase percentage.
First news of the day I can find, MLB Trade Rumors, “The Rockies and Padres’ talks for Huston Street are ongoing, tweets ESPN’s Buster Olney, and they’ve been extensive. ESPN’s Jayson Stark suggested this match yesterday, saying the Rockies are willing to eat all of Street’s $8MM salary for prospects. Jon Heyman of MLB Network tweets that the Padres are working hard on landing a closer.”
Danny Knobler from CBS says, “Padres very close to getting Huston Street from Rockies”
Another negative thought from the resident “Mr. Negativity”.
The Rockies think they have too many holes now to compete, so they are dumping players, hitting the “reset” button by trading for minor league prospects, where does that leave Helton and the hole his departure will make in 1 or 2 years?
Will the Rockies have to dump established players for a 1B prospect or will they sign a FA 1B?
At some point don’t we have to say “lets only add or delete players if it helps us WIN NOW?”
Otherwise its this endless cycle for nothing.
Ian Stewart for Tyler Colvin??? Seriously??? Please tell me that Ken Rosenthal missed breakfast and lunch and his blood sugar is affecting him.
Rockies can certainly use another left handed outfielder in their system.
Maybe Colvin or one of the Rockies’ current outfielders then gets sent to Atlanta along with Seth Smith for Prado.
Maybe Julian but the reports from a few hours ago now say the Rockies no longer have interest in Prado??? Who really knows.
The plan is to acquire Colvin and move him to Atlanta with Seth Smith for Prado. That is if Altanta accepts Colvin. Otherwise we’re not getting Colvin if Altanta doesn’t want him. That’s how I see it.
All the ATL fans other other forums are screaming that they don’t need LH OFs. So it will be interesting to see who budges.
Jon Niese? Interesting. I find it hard to beleive the Mets would let him go without asking for the farm in return.
Prog, if you are on the Atlanta sites reading all that comical stuff then you must have also seen the shift from Prado to Jurrjens. Maybe they believe the national talking heads?
“The Colorado Rockies seem to really like Atlanta Braves players, at least that’s what the rumors are saying. After flirting with a Martin Prado trade for the past month, the rumors are now saying that perhaps they are pursuing starting pitching, so naturally they’re pursuing Jair Jurrjens.”
O’DOWD IS A JOKE!
WHAT MORE NEEDS TO BE SAID
The Angels now has become my favorite AL team. Sciosca was my favorite manager. CDI went there. And now my favorite MLB player (none other than the Great Pujols) goes to the Angels.
RMH, you have even more to cheer than. Angels also signed LaTroy Hawkins and CJ Wilson.
With Pujols, the Angels just added an additional $48M in payroll next year. Must be nice to have the big bucks….