Monday Rockpile: Winter Meetings, Day 1

by Russ Oates on Dec 8, 2008 8:50 AM MST in Rockpile Comment 16 comments

Is Willy Taveras on his way out of Denver during the Winter Meetings this week? The Rockies have kept their fishing line in the bond to see if they would get any bites, and the latest possible bite is by the Nationals. Ken Rosenthal also reported the Nationals' interest in Taveras, but Rosenthal is now backtracking, saying the Nats aren't all that interested, it appears, because of his low onbase percentage and his right-handedness.

In the first link, Troy Renck mentions that the Rockies might look to see what it would take to trade for Jason Marquis, if the Cubs need to clear payroll to acquire Jason Peavy.

Jason Marquis

#21 / Pitcher / Chicago Cubs

Height: 6-1

Weight: 210

Bats: L

Throws: R

Born: Aug 21, 1978

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2008 - Jason Marquis	11-9	29	28	0	0	0	0	167.0	172	87	84	15	70	91	4.53	1.45

A good idea?

	ERA	ERA+	WHIP	FIP	VORP	PRC
2005	4.13	102	1.329	4.88	18.2	64
2006	6.02	74	1.523	5.94	-5.7	51
2007	4.60	101	1.388	4.92	16.5	65
2008	4.53	99	1.449	4.57	20.8	59

And in too small of a sample size, Marquis has a 2.51 ERA in 28 2/3 IP at Coors Field. Marquis is due slightly under $10M this coming season before heading to free agency. For anyone to trade for Marquis, I'd expect the Cubs to pay part of his salary. As it is, Marquis is an expensive "blah" pitcher.

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Comments

Marquis amounts to an expensive insurance policy.

He’s not really an upgrade over Greg Smith, he’s just more of a known quantity with a track record that makes him easier to project. He should be better than signing Josh Fogg or our usual assortment of Josh Towers types. I could see one fiscal benefit in that acquiring him could allow the Rockies to shift Smith or JDLR to the bullpen for 2009 to fill that LHRP slot if they fail to live up to expectations in the Spring. Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that. As long as it’s not costing anything more than minor league filler and the Cubs either pay some of his salary or take some of ours, it could be beneficial.

by Rox Girl on Dec 8, 2008 9:24 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

Marquis

I don’t think the Rockies should make a deal for a 4th 5th starting pitcher. Unless the guy projects to be better than Jeff Francis, don’t make the deal.

by brian8065 on Dec 8, 2008 9:36 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

The Gerald Laird to Detroit trade provides an outward limit for dealing Torrealba

Given that Yorvit’s a year older and likely to make at least $1 million more than Laird in 2009, we have to expect a lesser return than the pair of decent minor league arms Texas got. If O’Dowd picks up one arm like that for Torrealba, however, I’d be happy.

by Rox Girl on Dec 8, 2008 9:57 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

Jason Marquis?

Yeahh…. that is likely O’Dowd’s idea of a frontline starter. Okay then.

Blast and botheration.

by Silverblood on Dec 8, 2008 11:11 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

Marquis and Willy T.

Never thought much of him, but I guess if you can get the Cubs to pay him and don’t give up much, you might be able to move him for an above average minor league reliever arm at the deadline…maybe.

The Nats would be crazy to not want Taveras; he’s a huge upgrade over the likes of Nook Logan (worse swing than John Heder).

by brainteaser on Dec 8, 2008 12:23 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

But

How can the Cubs cut salary cap room AND pay for a pitcher to NOT pitch for them?

Makes not sense to me.

Thought Clint Hurdle should be fired before it was cool.

by Redhawk on Dec 8, 2008 12:47 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

The cut salary amounts to

Whatever the most interested team is willing to pay Marquis, not what the Cubs are actually on the hook for. The higher that number is, the less they could expect back in trade. The Cubs aren’t going to eat his whole salary, but similarly to the Mets with Jose Castillo or the D-backs with Eric Byrnes, or the Dodgers with Juan Pierre, I don’t see how they’ll be able to move him without eating some of what he’s owed.

by Rox Girl on Dec 8, 2008 1:08 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Also,

it seems the Nats are more interested in acquiring Carlos Gonzalez.

According to the NY Post’s Joel Sherman, Omar Minaya offered the 2-for-1 deal. The Rockies wanted the weekend to think about it, but when they called back Minaya didn’t want to do the deal.

The Rockies signed catcher Paul Phillips. Yawn.

"Never Surrender Dreams" - Inscription on J. Michael Straczynski's bench

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by Russ Oates on Dec 8, 2008 1:20 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Omg

CarGon for L Millz and Elijah Dukes!! Suhweeeeettt

by Resolution on Dec 8, 2008 1:52 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Nats

Who in the blue hell are the Nats going to offer for Carlos Gonzalez? If that offer doesn’t start with “John Lan” and end with “nan”, I don’t think the Rockies would even bother listening.

Come on, Washington, your fans have been pining for a speedy no-hit CF since Nook Logan skipped town. Do Taveras for a bullpen arm (Zech Zinicola?) and be happy you get anything at all.

Staying on the sunny side of Blake Street since 1993.
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by Franchise26 on Dec 8, 2008 1:53 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs