One of the things that I don't get in all the hand wringing over the potential to lose Rockies players in this year's trade market is that Dan O'Dowd's trade history with the franchise shows that he will make many more mistakes giving up valuable prospects for MLB players of dubious value (see Jacob Cruz and Manny Delcarmen,) than he will in dealing MLB players of value (see Jason Jennings, Matt Holliday, etc..,) for prospects. O'Dowd's record of getting equal to better value than the traded player provides in the subsequent season is very good. Part of this seems to stem from a philosophy of not actually looking very deep onto other teams' farms when making trades. By limiting his focus to players on the cusp or even already starting their MLB careers, O'Dowd eliminates a lot of the risk that otherwise comes when dealing with farm talent.
So, with that in mind, we are having updates on the trade market (in this case from the Denver Post's Troy Renck) that indicate Chris Iannetta and Ty Wigginton are now the Rockies most likely to be traded by next week's deadline instead of Ubaldo Jimenez. While trading a superstar could be expected to provide a huge windfall, trading two decent players like Iannetta and Wigginton might equate to nearly as much value returned to the club for 2012 and beyond. If you add in expected contributions from their replacements already in the system (Wilin Rosario for Iannetta and likely Chris Nelson, but possibly Jordan Pacheco or Jimmy Cesario - a career .306 hitter in the minors, including .321 this season - for Wigginton,) to whatever the Rockies receive as MLB ready help in trade, the benefit to 2012's chances could be very large.
Other notes from the Denver Post:
- Rex Brothers is looking more closer worthy by the day - Huston Street hasn't been brought up in rumors, but the obvious consequence of Brothers' emergence is that Street becomes expendable. This could be an off-season move.
- Dexter Fowler's leg kick providing boost - As are others, I'm still sketched by his K rate, but so far, so good on his production since returning.
- Other notes - Denver Post
Beerer promoted to Triple-A Colorado Springs | Inside the Colorado Rockies - While some are probably going to question this move to promote Beerer instead of Tim Wheeler to the Sky Sox, it actually seems like a sign to me that Wheeler's Tulsa surge is forcing the organization's hand on a couple of older prospects like Beerer and Cole Garner. Clubs don't like to give up on prospects until they're certain they can't be useful. It seems to me a bit of due diligence before pushing Wheeler ahead.
Tourists get a lift from Garneau | The Asheville Citizen-Times | citizen-times.com - With all the negative press given to coaches in the Rockies organization from pundits for the Tyler Matzek situation, it's good to read of minor league coaches helping players reach their potential. Hitting advice given to Dustin Garneau has helped him take his play to another level. While Garneau's not a marquee name, keep an eye on 2010 first rounder Kyle Parker, who's exhibiting a similar power surge in the month of July.
Tyler Matzek his the reset button | - Sports - The Orange County Register - Speaking of Matzek.