Butcher, Baker, BS Maker

by deacs on Mar 28, 2009 7:17 PM MDT Comment 7 comments

How has the Rockies' front office consistently misjudged demand for their own players, and mishandled the approach to trading them? All off-season the price was ridiculously high for Garrett Atkins (starter and prospect, or multiple (grade) A+ prospects) given last year's relatively poor showing, and according to Jayson Stark, now they are seeking a "quality young starter" in return for Jeff Baker.

I realize their are bargaining strategies, but when the team is repeatedly asking for a front-line starter in return for players who do not merit that kind of value - which applies to Baker, especially - it demonstrates that O'Dowd may have no bargaining skills, and the Jennings trade was sheer luck. Besides playing mediocre defense at a couple of positions other than first, what makes Baker any difference than the waivered Joe Koshanksy? Nothing, and, as a hitter, Koshansky has at least as good of a track record as Baker.

Instead of demanding a "quality young starter," which is, to say the least, unreasonable for a utility infielder, perhaps the front office should consider doing some scouting and asking for a decent minor league infielder who could solve the second base problem in a couple of years.

Eat. Drink. Be Merry. But the above FanPost does not necessarily reflect the attitudes, opinions, or views of Purple Row's staff (unless, of course, it's written by the staff [and even then, it still might not]).

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The Rockies really are well known for unfairly asking too much for their players in trade

which is not a good reputation to have. Hopefully that will change. But it’s not as if the JJ trade is the only good one O’Dowd made.

I disagree greatly that Koshanksy is worth the same as Baker. Koshansky can play only one position and has yet to show anything really at the major league level. Baker can play five positions and has an MLB track record. Plus, Baker is 27 and JoKo is 26. No real advantage there.

I also think corner infield depth is a greater priority in the minors than middle IF.

"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein

by Andrew T. Fisher on Mar 28, 2009 7:58 PM MDT reply actions

I think it’s a little more of Rockies fans being Homers, and over valuing their own players. Happens all over if you read the boards.

Baker is a 27 year old utility bench guy with history of injuries, and not a consistent MLB track record.

Koshansky, is a nice power hitter, who’s swing is a little long for the major leagues. He’s a AAAA player. He’s Jack Cust 2

These are the kinda guys other teams wait to fall off the table when rosters get full, and thus don’t have much trade value. Teams that could use these guys, usually don’t have much talent to give back.

Now, I’m in full agreement, that I would like to find more young finds…guys maybe in A or AA that haven’t had great numbers, and aren’t projected, but could grow.

President of the "Sign Pedro Martinez Angry Mob" (fan club didn't make sense)

by Redhawk on Mar 28, 2009 10:21 PM MDT reply actions

Tend to agree

And if Koshansky has Jack Cust’s power and OBP, I think he’s worth more than Baker (even if he only plays first) and does hold some major league value.

I just wish the front office weren’t also a bunch of homers about Rockies players, or that they weren’t completely delusional about the value of their players. O’Dowd is like the bizzaro Ricciardi: instead of irrationally talking down opposing players (Ricciardi-Dunn), he irrationally talks up his own players (Atkins, Baker, maybe even Torrealba).

by deacs on Mar 29, 2009 11:54 AM MDT up reply actions