Transactions Notes 3/10 - 3/16, 2011

Welcome to the first issue of my new weekly article, which will list and elaborate upon the organizational transactions that occurred over the past week, and give me a chance to help clarify any questions or concerns you may have about the state of the organization as a whole.

This week saw the Rockies make three waves of back to back to back cuts, as well as release one player who didn't have a future in our system.

3/10/11
Released:
C Chad Moeller

Moeller, a veteran backup catcher, was the first of what will eventually be several release casualties in the Rockies system. Signed as one of several potential candidates for the backup catcher role, as soon as it was clear he would not be a serious contender for that role, he was let go to allow him to search for another team that would be more likely to offer him playing time at the MLB level, rather than force him continue to audition for a role on the Sky Sox in minor league camp. Moeller is unlikely to be the only catcher released this Spring; we can expect a wave of minor league releases sometime this week.

3/13/11
Reassigned:
SP Billy Buckner
IF Thomas Field
SP Christian Friedrich
SP Alan Johnson
RP Andrew Johnston
RP Adam Jorgenson
SP Greg Smith
SP Keith Weiser
OF Tim Wheeler

These were the first nine non-roster invitees to be cut from MLB camp and sent to begin their daily training with the minor league squads.

Buckner, Friedrich, Johnson, Smith and Weiser are all competitors for the fifth starter's role in AAA (behind Clay Mortensen, Cory Riordan and whichever two of Esmil Rogers, Greg Reynolds and John Maine are not our MLB level fifth starter to begin the season), though both Friedrich and Weiser, who spent last year with the AA Tulsa Drillers, are mostly likely to begin the year there again. Buckner will get a look for a starting or relief spot with the Sky Sox, but is a likely release candidate overall.

The two most likely candidates for the spot from this list are Johnson and Smith, both of whom could also find spots in the AAA bullpen (which is also crowded with competitors) as the spot starter/long reliever, which is a very significant role on any AAA squad, as rotation stability is unpredictable. The organization has been very down on Smith since his removal from the 40 Man Roster late last year, but he has an advantage in that he is the only lefty starter in the organization likely to be ready to fit at AAA, with Friedrich in line to start once again with the Drillers and Eric Stults, who is still training with the MLB camp as of now, can exercise an out clause to return to Japan to play.

Johnston has a decent shot of landing a middle relief role on the Sky Sox, while Jorgenson will begin the year in the Drillers' bullpen, likely in a setup role.

Field should be splitting time at shortstop and second base with the Drillers. Wheeler will likely also see himself promoted to AA's outfield, even though his first full year of professional baseball in 2010 wasn't superb. Right now, advancement of the outfield depth behind Charlie Blackmon is key.

I will run over the waves of players who were optioned to the minors from the 40 Man Roster after the jump.

Optioned:
RP Bruce Billings (AAA)
OF Cole Garner (AAA)
IF Hector Gomez (AA)
C Wilin Rosario (AA)
RP Casey Weathers (AA)

Billings, who was converted to relief midseason last year, is most likely to continue that role with the Sky Sox in a setup capacity. Weathers is a closing candidate for the Drillers, as he looks to begin his first full healthy season in a couple of years. Garner is expected to be the starting left fielder for the Sky Sox, though he may also find himself playing some right field if Charlie Blackmon sees significant playing time in center. Gomez will be opposite Thomas Field in Tulsa's middle infield. Both shortstops by trade, they may each see playing time at second base rather than one or the other specifically being permanently converted.

When it comes to Rosario, had he not injured his leg, he'd have been guaranteed the starting catcher's spot at AAA this year. Although he has healed incredibly quickly, the Rockies elected to begin Rosario with the Drillers as indicated by his optional assignment destination, though these assignments are not permanent (he could also begin the year on the disabled list in extended Spring Training, a possibility that has been discussed). Barring a significant disaster, Rosario should capture the catcher's role in AAA midseason sometime, after he has proven ready in the lower levels.

Remember, optional assignments become official 20 days after their occurrence. The five players above optioned on March 13 are lined up to see their options deducted from their counts on April 1st, which happens to be opening day. Billings, Garner, Rosario and Weathers were among players added to the roster for the first time this offseason, meaning that this will be each of their first MLB options, and will have two remaining after the season. Gomez, who required protection from the Rule 5 draft after the 2008 season, had already used two of his free optional assignments, meaning after this one is registered, he will technically be out of options. However, much like Greg Reynolds and Esmil Rogers this year, Gomez will be granted a fourth free option year for 2012 due to a lack of professional playing time, giving him two years to cement his health.

3/14/11
Optioned:
RP Edgmer Escalona (AAA)
SP Juan Nicasio (AA)
SP Cory Riordan (AAA)

Optioned down one day later, these players will see their options become official on April 2nd. Escalona, who will be in the Sky Sox bullpen, and Nicasio, who will be in the Drillers rotation, are using their second free option years here. Riordan, who appears destined for the fourth spot in the Sky Sox rotation, is using his first free option year.

3/15/11
Optioned:
C Michael McKenry (AAA)
SP Clayton Mortensen (AAA)
IF Chris Nelson (AAA)

McKenry, who is using his second free option year, will begin the year as the starting catcher for the Sky Sox, but is unlikely to keep that job all year, whether due to promotion or due to having to back Wilin Rosario sometime midseason. Nelson will likely be playing primarily shortstop assuming Eric Young Jr. joins him on the Sky Sox as the main second baseman, but he should see playing time at second as well as third base. Nelson is using his final MLB free option, and despite having an injury history, has already gotten five full pro seasons in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2010, meaning unless I missed something AND he doesn't have a full season in 2011, he will not qualify for a bonus option (keep in mind that in cases such as this, a "full pro season" is defined as 90+ days on an active roster, no more than 30 of that 90 spent on a disabled list counting towards it).

Finally, with Mortensen, he is in the same position as Gomez. On April 3rd when these players' options become official, Mortensen will be out of options technically, but will be eligible for a bonus one for 2012. He was added to the 40 Man Roster for St. Louis very early, and as a 2007 draftee, can only have played four full pro seasons at maximum in 2008-2011, so regardless of his health this year, he will be allowed another option year in 2012.

That wraps everything up for this week. Please feel free to comment regarding any confusion and I will attempt to address it. As always, please use Purple Row's new 2011 feature, RockiesRoster.com, for any investigations into contract status.

See you next week.