The Rockies have finally indicated they have at least one wise use for the money they have this offseason, trying to lock in Brian Fuentes long term. In general, relievers are fairly interchangeable and you can find good ones fairly cheap even late as the team proved last year, but every so often some prove themselves a step above by showing consistent, solid performance for multiple seasons. Brian Fuentes is one of these and I applaud the effort to re-sign him.
Dan O'Dowd agrees,
Update [2005-11-9 5:58:57 by Rox Girl]:
The Rockies are also trying to work out multi-year deals with Aaron Cook and Matt Holliday according to the Rocky Mountain News.
No Rockies made much of a dent in the NL ROY voting, which isn't that surprising, enough said. And in this mailbag over at the official site, the biggest news is that the Michael Restovich deal remains incomplete and the Rockies could still wind up with something. Other tidbits on Chris Iannetta, the leadoff spot, who's arbitration eligible, etc.., is all old hat.
In other news, the Chicago Tribune is reporting the Cubs have reached a deal with Neifi (registration required) so we can cross him off the Rockies wish list. At these prices, I say it's a very good thing.
Speaking of lists, on Sunday Patrick Saunders at the Post put out probably what is the most definitive list of the Rockies wants to date, but his descriptions of players might need a little translation. Never, fear my friends, that's what I'm here for. I have a complete translation of the entire list after you click the "read more"
or "comment" links.
"High End Merchandise" (uhm, you know how when you bend over to touch your toes, and your derriere becomes the "high-end"? Yeah, I think that's what he's talking about)
Elmer Dessens
Translation: Veteran right-hander will become the fifth starter on a "temporary basis" after Zach Day looks terrible in Spring Training. After Jason Jennings is dealt, the "temporary" mysteriously will disappear as will the vestiges of Dessens' control.
Shawn Estes
Translation: Rockies liked the snake-oil the former Rockies lefty sold them in 2004 and would like to see if it can cure gout as well as their colic. Besides, it came in such a pretty looking bottle, that they are willing to overlook the fact that nobody else seems to think this stuff actually works.
Affordable quality (by affordable, we mean cheap, and by quality, we mean, cheap.)
Pedro Astacio
Translation: While we have a few lingering doubts that such a thin little thread could really hold Pedro's reattached right arm on, Dr Nick assures us there is nothing to worry about.
Brian Meadows
Translation: The Pirates, with a smaller payroll than the Rockies, thought that they could do better than Brian Meadows by filling from within. Ha-ha to their folly. We'll show them that we can't do better than Brian Meadows by filling from within. Wait, that didn't sound right for some reason.
Byung-Hyun Kim
Translation: What have we created here? We didn't want him to be so good that he might be desirable to another team until after this year. Oh man, who's idea was it to plug him into the rotation anyway? Now, look and see what you've done? Don't ever come up with bright ideas like that again.
Chris Hammond
Translation: Alright, so we know your grandmother could throw harder, but could she throw it consistently right over the middle of the plate for opposing batters to tee off on?
Really? She can? Hmm, hey, can we get a scout over here to check out this old lady?
Bargain Hunting (Bottom Feeding... mmm, sludge...)
Terry Mulholland
Translation:42... without a fastball... using a c... a... n... e.
Dan Miceli
Translation: If nobody notices that before his foot injury he was actually pitching well for us, we might catch a break. Rats! Alright on to plan B...
Doug Brocail
Translation: ..."B" as in Brocail that is! Isn't looking at the bottom of the barrel of free agents great? There's a vitual smorgasbord of hack players we wanted three years ago down here!
Eli Marrero
Translation: Hey, wasn't Scott Hatteberg once a catcher too? You think he might be able to go back? Really, we don't care if it's been a while, you see we had JD Closser catching for us this past season, so no defense... no shirt... no shoes... no problem.
Marquis Grissom
Translation: Would provide a nice natural outlet for the young Rockies' pranks, but first must prove he can shake a fist and yell out "Dadgum young whippersnappers! Get off my porch!" or other classics.
Likely too expensive (To titilate the fans, we leave these names on even though there's not a snowball's chance in h-e-l-l...o, there fan, didn't see you still in here, yeah we're looking at these players... if the price is right maybe we'll be able to sign them... go rockies and what not...)
Matt Morris
Translation: blah, blah, blah, ...out of reach
Ramon Hernandez
Translation: blah blah, blah-blah-blah, ...out of the Rockies' price range.
Bengie Molina
Translation: blah blah blah, ...but No.
Neifi Perez
Translation: I mean seriously, we couldn't even afford Neifi-freakin-Perez and you actually think you're going to get somebody good? Yeah get some help.
Kelly Shoppach
Translation: Make no mistake, the Rockies are bitter still you lizard tongued weasels, but really we're pretty desperate for a catcher.
Josh Bard
Translation: Can't hit it very far, but because of that we might not have to give up a lot.
Jason LaRue
Translation: Because he can hit it pretty far, we might have to give up too much.
Johnny Estrada
Translation: Anybody who thinks 29 year old journeymen are "tempting young prospects" is really going to enjoy watching this year's team, please come on over to our season ticket booth right now.