Tuesday Morning Rockpile:

by Russ Oates on Dec 11, 2007 8:07 AM MST in Rockpile

Paul Lo Duca has a contract with the Nats for one year and $5M, pending a physical. Let's see how this worked out: the Mets don't want Lo Duca back, the Mets want Torrealba, the Mets and Torrealba have a deal that falls apart, the Mets trade for Johnny Estrada, the Mets trade for Brian Schnieder of the Nats, Torrealba returns to the Rockies, and then the Nats sign former Met Paul Lo Duca. Got that? OK, so who won the catching sweepstakes this off season?

Barry Svriuga of the Washington Post says the Nats tried to pry Khalil Greene away from the Padres. It seems that the deal would have involved Felipe Lopez and either Chad Cordero or Jon Rauch. A setup man and a shortstop aren't going to cut it.

Luis Vizcaino, Tadahito Iguchi, Aaron Cook: Some interest, quite a bit of interest but who knows when he'll make a decision, and the other expects his new deal to be completed this week.

An interesting story I originally found at Baseball Musings: Fenway Sports Group (an arm of the company that owns the Red Sox) bought the Salem Avalanche, a minor league team. The kicker? Salem is Houston's affiliate (through 2008). Fire Brand of the American League informs us why this is important: the money from FSG is not Red Sox-related so MLB doesn't regulate it. Profiting off another team's minor league affiliate and not having any of the revenue be subject to MLB regulation - can it get any better?

Update [2007-12-11 19:27:11 by Russ]: Cook and Rockies agree to four-year, $34.5M deal.

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FSG

was established by the evil empire to acquire more cash via alternative sports ventures. When you only have 38K seats and are charging first borns for them, you have to diversify. They own a portion of the Rousch NASCAR team, portions of NHRA teams, some minor league ventures and are looking at other creative ways to skirt the MLB ownership restrictions and acquire more cash to keep up with the Yankees.

I only wish that Stan Kroneke and his empire owned the Rocks.

by PinchHitLancePainter on Dec 11, 2007 1:21 PM MST reply actions

As a post script

you can shuffle minor league money around any way you want to. I was a minor GM for a couple of years and the ownership group I worked for was constantly shuffling money from one team to another (with different affiliations). So in theory they can subsidize the evil empire system with revenues from the the Carolina team (used to be a Rockie affiliate). But more likely signals a shift in the Bosox from the Cal league back east. Many teams are trying to get their minor league affliates a. owned by them and b. close to them. Carolina is close to the Cal league in talent and is the closest high a league to Boston.

by PinchHitLancePainter on Dec 11, 2007 1:34 PM MST reply actions

No mention of this real dumb move?

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3149408

As my mother used to say "some people deserve to have bad stuff happen to them".

by PinchHitLancePainter on Dec 11, 2007 1:45 PM MST reply actions

Wouldn't call it dumb

Overpaying, yeah. But with the way the market has looked so far this year, this is right in step with them. It's a one year deal for a reliever who may work out nicely.

My nomination for dumb move of the year is still Linebrink to the White Sox for $19 mil over 4. That's hard to top.

President of the Kazuo Matsui Fan Club

by MattTheRock on Dec 11, 2007 6:05 PM MST up reply actions

As a closet Royals fan....

it's hard to overlook them paying Jose Guillen $12 million a year for 3 years.

by belt on Dec 11, 2007 6:34 PM MST up reply actions

Cook extension is final

According to T. Harding. Good solid move. Locks up another piece of the core at a reasonable price.

by Roberbola on Dec 11, 2007 2:00 PM MST reply actions

In happier news...

http://colorado.rockies.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071211&content_id=2322882&vkey=news_c ol&fext=.jsp&c_id=col

Right on!

by Since1993 on Dec 11, 2007 2:00 PM MST reply actions

HA!

Beaten, by 4 seconds!

I like this extension. It's at least somewhat showing that the Rockies want to keep Homegrown talent around.

We'll see where that ends up with Holliday. Although, I hate to say it, but with Holliday, he might still leave and I don't necessarily think the Monforts are completely to blame on it. We aren't the Yankees, and if Holliday suddenly declines in 2009 or 2010, those $20M/year will suddenly be egg all over their face, and Woody Paige will be back on them for stupid signings, even if he's bitching about them NOT ponying up and signing them right now.

It's Tricky to rock a rhyme, to rock a rhyme that's right on time It's Tulowitzki!...Tulo-witzki-witzki-witzki ..... rockiesmagicnumber.blogspot.com

by Andrew Martin on Dec 11, 2007 3:01 PM MST up reply actions

Yep, if this were a wild west gunfight...

...I'd be face-down in the dust.

We'll have to see what pans out with Holliday. It sounds like the 4-for 60 deal is a non-starter. I wonder if he'd or the Rox'd do 5-for 80. It seems like Holliday would stay but once Scott Boras darkens the scene, it's not about the Rockies and Holliday, only. It's about Boras' reputation as a dollar-maximizer. Maybe if the Rockies could talk to Matt directly...

For now, we'll just have to celebrate Aaron Cook.

by Since1993 on Dec 11, 2007 3:21 PM MST up reply actions

Off-topic

but worthy of note: Squeaky, my sister and best friend, just found out that she got into Columbia University today. So there will be a THIRD Rockies fan in New York soon....

Get Demented. Mother of the Baby Tulos; subsisting on a football diet until spring. Go Broncos!

by Silverblood on Dec 11, 2007 4:06 PM MST reply actions

Wow

That's impressive. I didn't think the Ivies sent out decisions until April 1 or so... that's when I got all of my college admission/rejection letters.

http://mvn.com/mlb-rockies: The best thing to happen to baseball since 1993.

by Rox Fan in TN on Dec 11, 2007 4:46 PM MST up reply actions

She applied early-decision

and needless to say, is very excited.

Get Demented. Mother of the Baby Tulos; subsisting on a football diet until spring. Go Broncos!

by Silverblood on Dec 11, 2007 4:48 PM MST up reply actions

Oh yeah, forgot about that

I think I applied to one school "early action" (different because it's non-binding) but that was it. The rest of my decisions came in late March/early April.

http://mvn.com/mlb-rockies: The best thing to happen to baseball since 1993.

by Rox Fan in TN on Dec 11, 2007 4:50 PM MST up reply actions

Hey congrats

Way to go Squeaky!!!

President of the Kazuo Matsui Fan Club

by MattTheRock on Dec 11, 2007 6:02 PM MST up reply actions

You Go, Squeaky!

My heartiest congratulations go out to you! I'm sure you'll do yourself and your family proud.

2007 NL Champions, baby!

by rockhead on Dec 11, 2007 8:37 PM MST up reply actions

Thanks everyone!

I was SO excited to find out, but it really hasn't sunken in yet. I still can't believe it...

I'll make you NY Rockies fans proud, no worries. :)

And now there's nothing to believe/And reruns all become our history/A tired song keeps playing on a tired radio/And I won't tell no one your name

by Squeaky on Dec 11, 2007 8:55 PM MST up reply actions

Congrats

...from the other Rox fan at your sister's school.

It's kind of like winning the lottery, isn't it?

by dogs on Dec 12, 2007 8:17 AM MST up reply actions

SQUEAKY: CONGRATS.....

Columbia!!??....you and your sister may be too academic for our poor humble ROW!

by 86 wins in 07 on Dec 12, 2007 11:12 AM MST up reply actions

mitchell rpt

Off topic, but this is hilarious...A Mitchell Report Draft! haha..

http://mlbfleecefactor.com/2007/12/11/the-mitchell-report-draft/

by em3 on Dec 11, 2007 7:49 PM MST reply actions

Iguchi...

just reported to have signed for ONE year with Padres, according to San Diego Union...damn.

If Rockies offered him two years and he signed for one, maybe that idea that he didn't want follow a fellow countryman at the same position was a significant factor.

Now where do we turn for a 2B??

by moose14 on Dec 11, 2007 10:10 PM MST reply actions

Every...

other guy in our system's a second sacker candidate. Process of elimination.

by Since1993 on Dec 11, 2007 11:21 PM MST up reply actions

Damn

I was really hoping to see Iguchi at 2B for us, to give Nix and Stewart time to develop a bit more. Cause of neither one of them steps up...

"...and Barmes grounds out again, setting the record for most groundouts by a player, ever."

by oo_nrb on Dec 12, 2007 12:57 AM MST up reply actions

Mitchell report pot shots

any blind guesses as to which (if any Rockies) will be included in the report? Other than Piedra I'm going to guess Bichette or Walker. I'd be crushed if Todd were involved.

InToddwetrust

by InToddwetrust on Dec 11, 2007 11:27 PM MST reply actions

I'm going to guess

Galarraga, sadly.

Get Demented. Mother of the Baby Tulos; subsisting on a football diet until spring. Go Broncos!

by Silverblood on Dec 11, 2007 11:41 PM MST up reply actions

Maybe the ax will miss us like the '07 awards

I might actually cry if it's Vinny on that list. Dante wouldn't surprise me. Walker maybe but as likely not. Kirt Manwaring's safely in the clear. It would be sad if it were Todd. Seriously, if Vinny is there, I might just leave work.

by Since1993 on Dec 12, 2007 12:02 AM MST up reply actions

My guesses

Walker and Bichette definitely, Andres maybe. And possibly Holliday's name will come out sometime (I wouldn't mind, actually, cause his value would go down and we could lock him up at a low price). No way Helton is on the list.

by oo_nrb on Dec 12, 2007 12:58 AM MST up reply actions

No way?

There is not a single big leauger that I would say has no chance to be on the list. Not even, sadly, Helton. Him being juiced would sadden me much more than any other player.

"I want to live forever or die trying" Yossarian in "Catch-22"

by Dieb on Dec 12, 2007 1:16 AM MST up reply actions

Both raise some suspicions

Holliday never hit much in the minors. And there was Helton's rather sudden dropoff in homers.

http://mvn.com/mlb-rockies: The best thing to happen to baseball since 1993.

by Rox Fan in TN on Dec 12, 2007 1:18 AM MST up reply actions

My Guess

Rockies on the list:
Big Cat
Bichette
Larry Walker
Todd Helton (yeah sorry)
and.....drum roll: Todd Walker

Helton was a power hitter before testing..is now a slap hitter after testing. Holliday is still a power hitter with testing.

2006 TIME magazine "Person of the Year"

by Redhawk on Dec 12, 2007 8:48 AM MST up reply actions

Doubt it

There are 50-80 names on this list, at maximum. The main sources are a clubbie from the NL East and a player who spent much of his career in the AL.

I'll be stunned if there's more than one or two Rockies, current and former, on the list.

And frankly, I think this speculation is pretty sickening. What, everybody who ever had a good year in the last 15 years is a steroid cheat? Give me a break!

mvn.com/mlb-rockies - Staying on the sunny side of Blake Street since 1993.

by Franchise26 on Dec 13, 2007 12:07 AM MST up reply actions

When I wrote this

I didn't know how limited the report would be. 60-80 names? And mainly from one source. I could list players I suspect have done steroids far longet then 75 names. I think about 60% (maybe even higher) took at least small doses of it in the 90's.

When I was a fan of the Texas Rangers you had these names:
Juan Gonzalez (mvp)
Ivan Rodriguez
Ken Caminitti
Ralphie Palmerio
Jose Canseco

And that's with out trying. What I think we'll find is how many pitchers were using, as it aides in recovery time.

2006 TIME magazine "Person of the Year"

by Redhawk on Dec 13, 2007 8:55 AM MST up reply actions

One player

who I would say has almost no chance of being on the list is Dale Murphy. There are others who would disappoint me, but wouldn't be a huge surprise. But if by some miniscule chance Dale is there, I will be crushed and my world will be effectively rocked.

by holly96 on Dec 12, 2007 11:45 AM MST up reply actions

I said the same thing a few days ago

However, given his devout Mormonism and outspoken condemnation of those that do use, I wouldn't be surprised if he tested clean for ever drinking Coca-Cola (even in Atlanta) let alone anything really bad, though. The two others that I'm less sure about but would also shake me deeply are last year's HOF inductees Ripken and Gwynn.

by Rox Girl on Dec 13, 2007 4:52 AM MST up reply actions

Heh

I am Mormon myself, so that's why Dale always comes to mind for me. And I confess I have drunk Coke in the past. I'm sure Dale is a better Mormon than I am. ;-)

by holly96 on Dec 13, 2007 11:30 AM MST up reply actions

Speaking of Dale Murphy,

there's a quote from him here. I didn't realize that he runs a program for youth focused on making the right choices about cheating and PEDs.

by holly96 on Dec 13, 2007 4:10 PM MST up reply actions

But if God forbid

Holliday is on that witch hunt -- er, list -- would Joe Rockiesfan want us giving him an extension right afterwards? What kind of reaction would it create in the community about a guy who's known for being a genuinely humble guy and a modest superstar? There's been a discussion about this at Athletics Nation -- how far do you take win at any cost while sacrificing your values? Our club has gotten, fairly or unfairly, a reputation for being values-centric. Let's just cross our fingers and pray that our guys had the sense to stay off it, but sadly, nothing is impossible these days.

Get Demented. Mother of the Baby Tulos; subsisting on a football diet until spring. Go Broncos!

by Silverblood on Dec 12, 2007 7:11 AM MST up reply actions

Fukudome signs with Cubs

So...who's going to play outfield in San Diego?

"I want to live forever or die trying" Yossarian in "Catch-22"

by Dieb on Dec 11, 2007 11:45 PM MST reply actions

Pretty good deal

4 Year, 48 million dollar contract. That could turn out to be a damn good signing by the cubs. Of course, he could tank in the majors, but that's always the risk in signing a japanese FA.

by oxsnard on Dec 12, 2007 5:59 AM MST up reply actions