Two days ago, Dan O'Dowd suggested the Rockies would like to make a play at Victor Martinez, the kind of talent that would likely force Colorado to jettison either Chris Iannetta or Miguel Olivo. Iannetta would need to be traded, as he has two years left on a 3-year contract he signed last offseason. Olivo could simply be let go, as his one-year contract has been played out, with an option year left dangling for 2011.
Rockies will exercise $2.5 million option on contract of C Miguel Olivo. - Tracy Ringolsby
There goes that option. Or here comes that option. Or something....
Olivo was arguably the Rockies best offensive weapon in the first half, posting OPS and wOBA numbers that surpassed every player at his position in MLB. His defense was much greater than advertised, and Dan O'Dowd looked to have gotten a steal.
While Olivo's defense mostly held through his second half slump (he ranks 1st on the team in Fangraphs defensive WAR, 3rd behind Tulowitzki and Barmes at B-Ref), his offense completely fell off a cliff. He took one unintentional walk after July, and his effectiveness dropped him in the OPS/wOBA range to below league average and below his 2009 campaign.
Still, the Rockies have decided to retain him, which isn't an altogether bad idea, given the remote probability of convincing V-Mart to come to Colorado. Olivo did have an overall career year, though it certainly can't help their bargaining position with Martinez, as it would likely force an Iannetta trade should that signing come to fruition.
Reading between the lines, it also suggesting the brass might not yet trust Michael McKenry to be a MLB back-up, as letting Olivo walk would be less of a risk if Señor Quadzilla Sombrero had more buzz in the FO.
Tulowitzki named NL Player of the Month | Inside the Colorado Rockies - Carlos Gonzalez and Ryan Braun also received votes...somehow.
Fowler could hit first or second for 2011 Rockies - The Denver Post - Dex knows he will be the Rockies' starting center fielder in 2011. That role has been cemented. His position in the batting order will entirely depend on whether Eric Young Jr. is the Rockies' second baseman next year. Either way, it is essential that Fowler learns to steal a base.
Joe Sheehan: Excerpt - Sheehan argues strongly against having two wild card teams, using essentially the same idea I thought of when I first heard the idea.
Bob Gebhard, Rockies' first general manager - The Denver Post - If you're under 30 or new to Rockies fandom, Irv Moss' article is a great read. Moss recalls how the initial Rockies roster came together, specifically the Dante Bichette-Kevin Reimer trade.