Saturday Rockpile: Contreras narrowing his choices while the Rockies try to maintain bullpen depth.

by Bryan Kilpatrick on Dec 19, 2009 7:54 AM MST in Rockpile

La Esquina: The numbers show that Jose Contreras might be a valuable closer. - ESPN
Jose Contreras won't be pitching in Japan, but is starting to narrow down his options on where to pitch next season. Contreras still wants to start, but according to his agent he may be willing to pitch out of the 'pen. I'm hoping the Rockies find themselves in the mix for "The Bronze Titan," as he would be of great value to any team's bullpen - especially if he's still able to continue throwing in the upper 90's.

Rincon returning to Rockies | MLB.com: News
The Rox re-signed ~~Satan~~ ~~Josh Fogg~~ Juan Rincon to a minor league deal yesterday. Yippee.

Sources: Jamey Carroll has agreed to terms with the Los Angeles Dodgers on a two-year deal - ESPN
The former Rocktober hero has agreed to terms with the enemy - at two years and just under $4MM.

Rob Neyer: Selecting the top 100 players of the decade - ESPN
I didn't see anybody post this during the week, but I could have overlooked it (if so, my apologies). Anyway, ESPN.com's Rob Neyer has Todd Helton as the 8th-best player of the decade. I'm surprised the Toddfather was placed this high, but he put up some pretty gaudy numbers in pretty much every year of the 00's (with the exception of 2008), particularly in the OBP department.

MLB -- Baseball Prospectus: Hanley Ramirez, Justin Upton, Joe Mauer and Tim Lincecum project as brightest MLB stars of 2010 through 2019 - ESPN
In a related piece, Troy Tulowitzki falls under the "Honorable Mention" section for players who will shape the next decade in Major League Baseball. I may be a homer, but I think it's a crime that Tulo doesn't fall in the Top 20 on this list. It may be an even bigger crime that Clayton Kershaw doesn't, either.

LVBP.com - Liga Venezolana de Beisbol Profesional
The statistics page for the Venezuelan Winter League. Players of note:

Carlos Gonzalez is hitting .289/.325/.526 in 114 at-bats with 7 home runs and 21 RBI's.
Yorvit Torrealba is hitting .314/.419/.471 in 51 at-bats.
Jhoulys Chacin went 1-2 with a 4.73 ERA, allowing 39 hits in 32.1 innings. He struck out 24 and walked 12.
Edgmer Escalona has posted a 2.70 ERA in 6.2 innings, striking out 7 and walking 5
Franklin Morales has walked six batters in four innings of relief.

Oh, and there should be no stock put into any of the above stats, whatsoever.

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Comments

I know you say to put no stock into the stats but.........

Isn’t that a lot of ABs for Cargo during winter ball? Maybe not but seems like he needs to rest some. Just asking.

People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring. ~Rogers Hornsby

by pedalpusher on Dec 19, 2009 8:28 AM MST reply actions

As far as that goes

I think that CarGo can use all the at-bats he can get. I’m only saying this, though, strictly because he improved with more plate appearance this past season. I’m also not sure how much he’s playing in the field in winter ball…it may not be a lot.

Just an average guy with exceptional hair. Nothing more, nothing less.

by Bryan Kilpatrick on Dec 19, 2009 8:59 AM MST up reply actions

Nah Gonzalez is young

Helton, rest. Cargo? Stay sharp.

This offseason is completely boring.
http://www.youtube.com/user/rockiesmagicnumber

by Andrew Martin on Dec 19, 2009 12:16 PM MST via mobile up reply actions

It's funny that CarGo's avg is higher against MLB pitchers..

than Winter League pitchers. But he might be facing better talent in the Winter time, especially if he plays against Cuban teams.

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by Charlie77 on Dec 19, 2009 3:51 PM MST up reply actions

well it's still a decent OPS

and batting average comes and goes, he’s displaying good ISO ad such

This offseason is completely boring.
http://www.youtube.com/user/rockiesmagicnumber

by Andrew Martin on Dec 19, 2009 4:00 PM MST up reply actions

If Juan Rincon is back

can Alan Embree be far behind?

SkySox bleachers fans: bring your gloves.

New decade, new result: time for a Rockies' division championship.

by Maris6161 on Dec 19, 2009 9:12 AM MST reply actions

People in the suburbia beyond the outfield wall: bring your gloves.

To all of the doubters, to all of the haters, one simple message:
We will be back! Our purple knights will be victorious once again.

by The Lodo Magic Man on Dec 19, 2009 9:23 AM MST up reply actions

People in boats on Cherry Creek Resevoir, bring your gloves

Ignorance of the American League is a sign of good moral character.
Look out Dodgers...Purple objects in mirror are closer than they appear.

I'll be the guy in a orange shirt EVERY Monday...Broncos are my team win or lose.

by RdRnnr on Dec 19, 2009 9:58 AM MST up reply actions

Winning games without throwing a pitch is a valuable skill to have..

ROCKEFELLER!!!

by Muzia on Dec 19, 2009 11:11 AM MST up reply actions

Going to use my armchair GM abilities here...

Missed commenting about this in yesterday’s Rockpile, but had an idea I wanted to float out there. I read Jon Paul Morosi’s article (or maybe the buzz that he and Rosenthal keep posting on Fox Sports) about how the Mariners want some left handed sticks at either the 3rd base, 1st base or DH spots to take advantage of the short porch there. The name that they are tossing out as a trade chip is Brandon Morrow.

So I was thinking what about trading Hawpe to the Mariners for Morrow? Left handed bat that could fill the first base/DH spot and the righthanded reliever/spot starter that could fit into the bullpen. Do you guys think this is feasible? I thought it made a lost of sense to me.

I got nothing.

by nkrause on Dec 19, 2009 9:28 AM MST reply actions

It makes some sense.

I would think the Rockies would be looking for Morrow plus some other young player with options remaining (valuing Morrow as a reliever) while the Mariners would be reluctant to go much beyond Morrow himself (valuing him as a young starter), so there are bugs to work out, but if the Rockies traded Hawpe, signed Giambi as a big LH bat off the bench and a RHH that could play the infield and outfield corners like Tatis, then you’d be talking about a pretty potent team without getting too expensive.

I don’t know if it gets done, but I like the idea of it.

by Rox Girl on Dec 19, 2009 9:42 AM MST up reply actions

Sounds similar to Atkins last season

Whereas, it seemed like it’d be a good idea to take one of the Twins many young starters (even as far down the totem pole as Glen Perkins), or one belonging to other teams interested in a 1st/3rd option. Yet, the line last off-season was that the Rockies FO was looking for a young starter+. That was ridiculous then, and remains a ridiculous expectation for Hawpe.

For one, the LH/RH splits are not hot (.775/.955 OPS). Also, the defense. And, even though the home/road splits weren’t bad (only .27 diff), there’s still a perception gap between Rockies’ valuation of Hawpe and that done by other teams.

I know that you’re aware enough to realize it’s asking too much to get anything on top of Morrow. If this is the FO’s posture towards trading declining players, they are out of touch. Also, the Rockies don’t live in a vacuum. Other teams know what happened to Atkins, and that will remain a possibility in their minds.

Unless Hawpe can be traded to Houston or KC, it’s unreasonable to expect much more than a mid-rotation starter like Morrow.

by deacs on Dec 19, 2009 12:46 PM MST up reply actions

The rest of the plan is terrific though.

by deacs on Dec 19, 2009 12:46 PM MST up reply actions

*lots of sense

Yikes. I need to go back to bed.

I got nothing.

by nkrause on Dec 19, 2009 9:44 AM MST up reply actions

Morrow is a big injury risk

While I’m not “omg no” I’d explore better offers, but not throw this one away.

This offseason is completely boring.
http://www.youtube.com/user/rockiesmagicnumber

by Andrew Martin on Dec 19, 2009 12:18 PM MST via mobile up reply actions

That makes sense...

I’m not totally enamored but thought it might work better than say… a trade for Brandon McCarthy.

I got nothing.

by nkrause on Dec 19, 2009 4:18 PM MST up reply actions

"The Bronze Titan," as he would be of great value to any team's bullpen

- especially if he’s still able to continue throwing ~~in the~~ into his upper 90’s.

Watching the purple row from high atop the big brown monolith on California Ave

by Mondogarage on Dec 19, 2009 9:33 AM MST reply actions

Bahaha

Just an average guy with exceptional hair. Nothing more, nothing less.

by Bryan Kilpatrick on Dec 19, 2009 9:35 AM MST up reply actions

He's a better option than LaTroy Hawkins IMO..

Contreras has more than two pitches and actually has movement on his fastball.

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by Charlie77 on Dec 19, 2009 3:53 PM MST up reply actions

and could be used

as a long man or emergency starter, which Hawkins does not bring.

by Redhawk on Dec 19, 2009 4:37 PM MST up reply actions

Orlando Hudson...

anybody hear anything on him — as being attached to any teams lately?

I got nothing.

by nkrause on Dec 19, 2009 9:47 AM MST reply actions

Nope, the teams that would be interested in him are either teams that don't want to or don't have

a lot of money to spend like the Giants and Rockies or the Mets, who want to get rid of Luis Castillo first. Second base is a low priority for teams right now, Hudson, Felipe Lopez, Kennedy and a couple of others are left dangling out there. This makes the Dodgers move to sign Jamey Carroll this week pretty odd given that there could be better players slipping into a utility role by the end of the off season.

by Rox Girl on Dec 19, 2009 9:54 AM MST up reply actions

Can the Rockies get a Felipe Lopez

for Christmas? I mean you said Santa isn’t bringing us a Molina.

by Redhawk on Dec 19, 2009 9:56 AM MST up reply actions

Much as I'd like it, I haven't seen us attached to Lopez at all

But Hudson seems more likely the deeper we get into the off season. The Nationals might be our biggest competitor for him if the Mets stay on the sideline, and if they sign Bay as seems likely right now, they might not have the budget for any other FA without dumping somebody’s salary.

by Rox Girl on Dec 19, 2009 9:59 AM MST up reply actions

Not lately

and I’m not hearing news on a lot of players which I find interesting. If guys like Atkins, Pedro Feliz sign quickly, and Capps is getting more phone calls than the hot slutty high school blonde before the prom, then why not some others on the FA list? My only guess is teams are trying to wait out players so their price will drop, OR they just don’t have any spare money to spend, at any price. (yet Pedro Feliz gets over paid)

It’s kind of a strange off season.

by Redhawk on Dec 19, 2009 9:55 AM MST up reply actions

I was just curious...

his name hasn’t been out there like some of the guys Redhawk mentioned. Maybe this is setting up O’Dowd to pick him up in February?

I got nothing.

by nkrause on Dec 19, 2009 9:59 AM MST up reply actions

I know somebody said this sometime this week...

but reacquiring Jeff Baker wouldn’t be a bad idea, wouldn’t it? I’m sure the Cubs will hang onto him and all. It makes sense however.

I got nothing.

by nkrause on Dec 19, 2009 10:01 AM MST up reply actions

People were saying before that Baker would have been perfect for 3B/1st base/ultra utility guy

Who is right handed and hits for power.

Impossible not to have positive thoughts.

I want Sam Deduno to pitch already.

by bballrox4717 on Dec 19, 2009 10:16 AM MST up reply actions

Speaking of which

That decision not to trade Atkins before the season started last year looks like it really hurts now, because we would gotten some good value for him, we would have avoided the decline, and if he’s gone, Baker wouldn’t have left. The reason why we traded him was because there was no roster spot for him coming off the DL and had no options left.

Impossible not to have positive thoughts.

I want Sam Deduno to pitch already.

by bballrox4717 on Dec 19, 2009 10:18 AM MST up reply actions

I wish we had Jeff Baker back..

just so we can add to this list.

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by Charlie77 on Dec 19, 2009 3:58 PM MST up reply actions

I agree with RMN on this one

It’s lame to just change the names on Chuck Norris jokes.
Although his follow-up Barmes jokes are kind of sad now.

Foxes are naughties

by crazedjohn on Dec 19, 2009 6:21 PM MST up reply actions

These are not Chuck Norris jokes:

Eric Byrnes is allowed to live because Jeff Baker doesn’t kill women.

Behind Todd Helton’s beard is Jeff Baker’s fist.

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by Charlie77 on Dec 21, 2009 11:46 PM MST up reply actions

the latter is

behind chuck norris’ beard is another fist

This offseason is completely boring.
http://www.youtube.com/user/rockiesmagicnumber

by Andrew Martin on Dec 22, 2009 12:34 PM MST up reply actions

Todd Helton's Beard > Chuck Norris' beard

Donate to charity by shopping for Purple Row Merchandise at:
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by Charlie77 on Dec 22, 2009 11:48 PM MST up reply actions

ok

original joke > plagiarized joke

This offseason is completely boring.
http://www.youtube.com/user/rockiesmagicnumber

by Andrew Martin on Dec 23, 2009 11:37 AM MST up reply actions

Franklin Morales

still seems to be struggling…what are the Rockies plans for him?

by butterfly on Dec 19, 2009 12:40 PM MST reply actions

He'll be in the pen unless there's a problem in the rotation.

by Greg Stanwood on Dec 19, 2009 12:44 PM MST up reply actions

Don't count too much on the numbers from Winter Ball

usually the players are not going 100% (like not throwing a pitch like asliders cause they hurt the arm) , and are working on or experimenting with pitches and deliveries.

by Redhawk on Dec 19, 2009 2:50 PM MST up reply actions

thanks,

for the information…that makes me feel better.!

by butterfly on Dec 19, 2009 2:58 PM MST up reply actions

It's also difficult to pitch in bermuda shorts..

and sandals.

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by Charlie77 on Dec 19, 2009 4:01 PM MST up reply actions

I dunno Charlie,

the Over the Line guys have it figured out :)

Dear Rockies-Thank you for a wonderful rollercoaster season! Best turnaround in MLB history to become NL Wild Card Champs.

Garrett Atkins-So Long, Farewell, Auf weidersehen, Goodbye!! You were a great Rockie! GOOD LUCK!
Troy Tulowitzki-MLB's BEST shortstop..nuff said
Yorvit Torrealba- Re-sign!! he's en Fuego!!
Brad Hawpe- I hope I get to see you in a Rockies uniform again!
Dexter Fowler - prowling CF, WC in his talons, leaping Utleys in a single bound!

by SDcat09 on Dec 19, 2009 4:15 PM MST up reply actions