Rockies Acquire C Jose Morales From Twins for Paul Bargas

by Andrew Martin on Dec 16, 2010 6:11 PM MST in Transactions & Rumors

In another under-the-radar move adding to the spice of the MLB Hot Stove by GM Dan O'Dowd, Colorado as added another member of the backup-catcher battle in Minnesota's Jose Morales. In exchange, the Rockies surrender A-SAL Asheville Tourists lefty reliever Paul Bargas.

Morales, 27 (28 on opening day), backed up Joe Mauer in Minnesota this year, playing in 19 games, but struggled at the plate, posting a .194/.295/.250 line in 44PA. 2009 fared much better for Morales, however, where he received extended playing time in light of Joe Mauer's late start to the 2009 season. Morales posted a .311/.381/.361 line over 54 games (134PA), splitting time between C and DH.

Bargas, 22, finished the 2010 season in Asheville with a 3.59 ERA, appearing in 58 games and finishing 18 (5SV). He amassed 67.2 innings, striking out 64 while walking only 19.

This goes to show that the Rockies either A. Don't trust their MLB backups or B. Don't want to rush Pacheco or Rosario to the AAA level, given that 2 of Michael McKenry, Matt Pagnozzi, and Morales will be demoted to AAA Colorado Springs, while the winner will back up Chris Iannetta in the majors. There's also just the chance that Colorado is stocking their spring training catching corps 2 months early this year.

It won't be an easy battle though, as McKenry is likely the most defensively sound of the 3, Morales is a switch hitter one season removed from some pretty solid MLB numbers, and Pagnozzi had a very hot September with St. Louis (.359/.405/.487; .394 wOBA, 152 wRC+, 1HR, 10RBI). Morales also has the potential name confusion (Morales pitching to Morales, etc) working against him, although the humor potential is excellent.

Depth moves for the Rockies have paid off in the past, utility guys/backups making major league impacts (remember that one game where Jason Smith hit 2HR? That was pretty great), so who knows, maybe we'll see something special from one of these guys.

Tweet Comment 21 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

That Jose Mauer.

Sure is a good ballplayer huh?

Had to do it haha.

I'm GoRockies!! everybody :P

by CentralCaliRox on Dec 16, 2010 6:15 PM MST reply actions

Learn about Batting Metrics
Learn about Pitching Metrics

by Andrew Martin on Dec 16, 2010 6:19 PM MST via mobile up reply actions

Jose Mauer

You are a friend of mine…

We're trying to win a (#)(*@$%#)@#&$#)^ argument here!!!!

Bazinga!!

SD Cat 09 is still awesome

by Junction Rox on Dec 16, 2010 6:28 PM MST up reply actions

this is not on this topic

I feel like Homer above. Willingham got traded to the A’s for 2 no names!!!!!???? WTF is wrong with this picture? We could’ve gave them Rogers and maybe Smith? This just pisses me off that we missed out on another big bat that could knock them onto the concourse at Coors. Defensively, we probably didn’t miss alot but we missed out on a big impact bat. Wow, just think, everyone on here was screaming for the FO to get the Hammer. But nope, we sit on our thumbs and let him go to a team that isn’t going to go anywhere anytime soon. Cargo, Fowler and WIllingham. That’s a decent OF.

by Roxman4ever on Dec 16, 2010 7:50 PM MST reply actions

Rockies didn't want to give up Rogers.

And there wasn’t really a way to squeeze Willingham’s salary onto the team without expanded payroll a good 4 million more than expected.

Though, to be honest, I mostly agree with you. I really wanted Willingham too.

by Shoemaker on Dec 16, 2010 8:42 PM MST up reply actions

Hmmmm

Yeah I pretty much agree with you here, at least in what it took to get Willingham. I’d have also been hesitant to give up Rogers since he still has that mystical “upside” and is our best bet to fill in if/when another starter goes down, but it doesn’t seem like the A’s had to give up very much to get Willingham. A decent OF prospect and a good closer prospect from what I read. An equivalent package from the Rockies might have been Blackmon and Casey Weathers (if he were healthy)? That sure doesn’t sound like the king’s ransom that the Nats were reportedly seeking. These things always make me wonder if a) the Nats were just dumb, or b) the Nats knew something a lot of other GMs didn’t (remember we weren’t the only ones who didn’t land Willingham).
Still, I’m pretty happy about this offseason (really like the Morales pickup btw) and that tempers my disappointment quite a bit.

by Iowarocks on Dec 16, 2010 8:59 PM MST up reply actions

I sort of wanted Willingham, but DOD's got a very long leash these days

So let's just win 12 more games next year, mmmkay?

Will the Gints complain about the non-humidor balls in Citizens Bank Ballpark when they lose there, too?

by Mondogarage on Dec 16, 2010 11:05 PM MST up reply actions

Here's the thing, though.

You can look at the players they got from the A’s and try to find comparable pieces for the Rockies, but that doesn’t necessarily means the Nats would want the players we offer.

by holly96 on Dec 17, 2010 1:46 AM MST up reply actions

I am thinking

That DOD is not as high on Willingham as many of the folks here on the board are. Seems to me, if we had wanted him then based on what Washington received, we could have gotten him. I would not be surprised if both of the prospects acquired here completely wash out.

by RoxandRoll on Dec 17, 2010 8:16 AM MST up reply actions

Hey the A's are dumb

they gave us Carlos Gonzalez and Houston Street. So you never know

-Dante Bichette/Troy Tulowitzki
-John Elway/Ryan Clady?
-Dikembe Mutumbo/Nene
-Peter Forsberg/Statsny

by waterboy31321 on Dec 17, 2010 8:01 AM MST up reply actions

only if they knew what they had. That is 100% Homer moment for them. Can you imagine Cargo in the AL? They made the dumbest move a team EVER could've made. They didn't believe in him but we did. We can feast, and they can famine.

by Roxman4ever on Dec 17, 2010 9:30 AM MST up reply actions

The subsequent move was even dumber

Somebody convinced the A’s that Brett Wallace was a major league 3B, so they didn’t even make a respectable flip on Holliday. They’ve been combing the bushes for a 3B ever since.

by Rockpile Interloper on Dec 17, 2010 11:03 AM MST up reply actions

Morales, like the other Morales, is out of options and must make the team or be waived. Not that that would be a big deal.

It does make him an instant pre-Spring replacement for McKenry on the projected roster, though.

PROJECT LIBRA: Depth / Transactions
"The highest form of human excellence is to question oneself and others." - Socrates

by Greg Stanwood on Dec 16, 2010 7:58 PM MST reply actions

A new Morales ... probably OK

He would not have been my first choice, but the trade gives the Rox some options. They will do a “let the best man win” exercise in spring training, and pick the best guy for the job. The new Morales had a good batting year in 2009 and may be able to pick up the slack. Whoever ends up with it will be someone who wants and can demonmstarte he can do the job. CDI will need to be on his toes.

by Real Perspective on Dec 17, 2010 11:08 AM MST up reply actions

The Rockies have seemed especially active this offseason

I can’t tell if I haven’t every paid attention like I have this winter or if there really is more activity. The Tulo and JDLR deals certainly have had an impact on my perception…

"My eyes! The goggles do nothing!" - Rainier Wolfcastle

by BittenAnkles on Dec 16, 2010 8:28 PM MST reply actions

hanging out around

here does that to a person too. I think you’ve been around here more this off season than last, and definitely more than 2008 and before

You can't sit on a lead and run a few plays into the line and just kill the clock. You've got to throw the ball over the goddamn plate and give the other man his chance. That's why baseball is the greatest game of them all. ~Earl Weaver
Baseball fans love numbers. They love to swirl them around their mouths like Bordeaux wine. ~Pat Conroy
JFK

by jrockies on Dec 16, 2010 8:57 PM MST up reply actions

Yeah, right, "Backupnamite."

For the first week, maybe.

by Shoemaker on Dec 16, 2010 8:40 PM MST reply actions

Would have rather we sent a Morales to the Twins!

Strikeouts are boring - besides that, they're fascist. Throw some more groundballs. Its more democratic. - Crash Davis

by DAWNMARIE01 on Dec 16, 2010 9:52 PM MST reply actions

We sent a Morillo to the Twins once.

PROJECT LIBRA: Depth / Transactions
"The highest form of human excellence is to question oneself and others." - Socrates

by Greg Stanwood on Dec 16, 2010 9:58 PM MST up reply actions

I kidna like this move

I think Morales has some talent. He had a little rough patch last season but I think he can actually be a good hitter. Its tough playing very little

-Dante Bichette/Troy Tulowitzki
-John Elway/Ryan Clady?
-Dikembe Mutumbo/Nene
-Peter Forsberg/Statsny

by waterboy31321 on Dec 17, 2010 7:59 AM MST reply actions

I agree with this

One thing I really like about Morales in the little that I’ve seen of him is that he seems to have solid plate discipline. He’s certainly not the greastest hitter in the world but he knows how to get the ball in play or draw a walk at a decent clip. Nothing great, but pretty good for a backup catcher.

I’d consider him the favorite to start the season as the backup catcher right now.

106 more days until the Rockies Home Opener!!!!!!!

by RhodeIslandRoxfan on Dec 17, 2010 8:30 AM MST up reply actions