Colorado Rockies prospects Garneau, Murphy could be competing for Opening Day roster spot

Young backstops look to catch on with Rockies - Rockies.com

Thomas Harding of MLB.com checks in with Dustin Garneau and Tom Murphy post 2015 season. The Rockies’ rookie catching duo rose to the occasion in the final weeks of the season, and with a roster trimmed of excess backstops, may find themselves competing for a roster spot come spring.

Garneau has the advantage in experience, having played seven seasons in the minors, but has yet to find his groove in the batters box, hitting just .157 since his call up on August 20th. Behind the plate, Garneau showed promise. Gunning down 5 of 10 would-be base stealers, while allowing only one passed ball. Garneau's consistently superior caught stealing and fielding percentages give him the upper hand defensively, despite his low offensive figures.

However, Murphy projects to take the starting job for the next generation of Rockies. He is the organization’s top catching prospect, 12th overall according to MLB Pipeline. Murphy wasted no time adjusting to major league pitching, swatting three home runs and nine RBI in 11 games. As was expected, his plate discipline impressed for a player of his age and experience. The possibility of having Murphy as a middle of the order type bat at the bottom of a lineup is an intriguing option for the Rockies.

If the Rockies don't add a veteran back-up in the offseason, it will be either Garneau or Murphy who takes the role this spring. Starter Nick Hundley enjoyed the best offensive season of his career in his first year in Denver. A free agent after 2016, If both Garneau and Murphy prove to be ready for the big leagues full time next season, Hundley could become a valuable trade chip for the Rockies at the deadline.

Batting Around: Baseball abhors a vacuum - MiLB.com

The Rockies’ Double-A transition from New Britain to Hartford kickstarted a sort of minor league musical chairs along the east coast. The newly vacated New Britain Stadium will soon become home to the New Britain Bees of the independent Atlantic League. The Bees — formerly the Camden Riversharks — leave behind Campbell Field, which could be the landing spot for a New York-Penn League franchise.

The article details a bunch of minor league rehousing and franchising moves. Minor league baseball could be coming to a town near you!

Jim Duquette's possible trades- MLB.com

Jim Duquette has three blockbuster trade possibilities that could go down before the Winter Meetings in a few weeks. Included is Carlos Gonzalez to the Mets, justified by New York’s pitching depth and a need for a two-way outfielder. In return, Tyler Matz and Brandon Nimmo are mentioned.

Duquette also outlines a deal between Atlanta and St. Louis for Freedie Freeman, which would give the Cardinals offensive production at first base. He mentions Kolten Wong in the returns for Atlanta, but Braves GM John Coppolella would likely want much more for Freeman.

Cincinatti’s flame throwing closer, Aroldys Chapman, to the Astros for a top prospect package caps Duquette’s proposed Hot Stove moves. General managers will meet in Nashville, TN, December 6th-10th.

Nailed at the plate: Here are the 10 fastest outfield throws to catch a runner at home this season - MLB.com

CarGo just breaks this list of 2015’s fastest outfield throws to the plate.