Saturday Rockpile: Baker a trade candidate?; Atkins taking it slow; Spilborghs will miss this weekend's games; more.

by Bryan Kilpatrick on Mar 21, 2009 9:14 AM MDT in Rockpile

Several people - from the Cowboy to Troy E. Renck to Jayson Stark - believe that Jeff Baker could be headed toward the trading block sometime in the near future. Renck mentioned the Yankees and Astros as possible suitors for the 28 year old utility man. Baker, a lifetime .262/.319/.468 hitter, has shown flashes of brilliance at times during his four seasons in the big leagues, but has never really had enough consistent at bats to showcase his true worth. He is part of the corner IF/OF logjam that the Rockies are dealing with at the moment, and it might be a good move to trade him if they can get some decent value in return.

Garrett Atkins is taking it easy in trying to return from a groin injury he suffered while ironically doing agility drills. The latest setback is already the second for Atkins this spring, joining Brad Hawpe and his flared-up hammy as multiple injury offenders. There currently is no timetable for Atty's return, while Hawpe should only miss a day or two.

Ryan Spilborghs will miss this weekend's slate of games to attend the funeral of his late mother, Essie. According to the piece in the Denver Post, Spilborghs has "maintained a remarkable energy and attitude." I for one am not surprised; Spilly is a guy who truly has his head on straight (as already witnessed the past two years by the fact that he has been so solid coming off the bench and in pinch hit situations), and is able to separate grief from play, as the article states.

Jack Etkin says the Rockies signed a couple of castoffs in Damian Moss and Tomas Perez last week, one of which (Perez) made his Cactus League debut yesterday, going 0-2 with an RBI.

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Baker Trade

You would hate to see him go. I really like Baker.

However, it would be the best thing for him. The only way he makes the team as a starter is in left field. I like him more there than Seth Smith, but I don’t think anyone else does.

With Fowler on his way, and Ian Stewart certainly to start somewhere in the near future, Baker is likely not going to get a chance.

It would be nice for Baker if they traded him to the Astros like Stark talks about.

by brian8065 on Mar 21, 2009 10:09 AM MDT reply actions

I "Agree" with you - sort of

Baker is the guy that needs a real shot, but is blocked everywhere. Seth Smith is an outfielder by trade though, and he has shown a better progression throughout his career than Baker has. Baker’s sheer power makes me want to keep him as a PH, but I think he could get some sort of return.

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by Andrew Martin on Mar 21, 2009 12:34 PM MDT up reply actions

A Baker trade would indicate..

That the FO believes Quintanilla is ready to stay in the Bigs. It also shows that they are looking for a philosphical shift in backup 1B, could that be Hawpe to clear space in the outfield? Or is someone in the mix like JoKo?

"Never fall in or out of love too early in the Spring." ~ Tony La Russa

by Charlie77 on Mar 21, 2009 12:56 PM MDT up reply actions