Results tagged ‘ Brad Hawpe ’

Minor Moves: Eyes on Hawpe

At least three teams have expressed interest veteran outfielder Brad Hawpe and he could be close to signing a Minor League deal that includes an invite to Spring Training, according to an industry source.

Hawpe, who had Tommy John surgery in August, is said to be healthy and eager to compete for a spot on a big league roster this spring. He fits best with a team in need of depth at first base and at the corner outfield positions.

Hawpe, 32, hit .231 in 62 games for the Padres last season and .245 in 103 games with the Rockies and Rays in 2010. Signed by Colorado in the 11th round of the 2000 First-Year Player Draft, he hit .280 in 816 games during his seven seasons with the Rockies. An All-Star in 2009, he averaged 25 home runs, 93 RBI and 33 doubles for four consecutive seasons while with Colorado starting in 2006.

–Jesse Sanchez

Tigers still calling around, looking at deals

The Tigers remain interested in offense, not necessarily a big name, and have room to slot a bat into some different spots. Thursday’s decision to purchase the contract of Jeff Frazier from Triple-A Toledo suggests that no deal is close.
The call on Frazier had a lot to do with the short term: The Tigers face Red Sox lefty Jon Lester and are on track to face lefties Mark Buehrle and John Danks when the White Sox come to Detroit next week. With Jhonny Peralta now on board to play third base on an everyday basis until Brandon Inge returns, there was very little playing time for Larish, the left-handed hitting slugger who mainly plays the corner infield spots.
It’s a odd situation indeed for the Tigers to be lefty-heavy. They’ve been looking for left-handed hitters off and on since at least 2006, and more recently were reported to have called the Rockies about outfielder Brad Hawpe, according to the Denver Post. The Hawpe report is curious, considering his miserable struggles away from Coors Field (.198 road average, .560 OPS in 2010) and his contract situation. His deal runs out at season’s end, though there’s a $10 million club option for 2011.
Dave Dombrowski is on the record saying he will not give up top prospects like Jacob Turner or Andy Oliver to rent a player for two months. If the Rockies are looking for Major League ready prospects for Hawpe, they aren’t likely to get that from Detroit.
Dombrowski also recently revealed some disagreement with other general managers who are citing the draft compensation they’ll get if they hold onto big-name players with expiring contracts and let them leave via free agency.
“Sometimes you can overplay your hand in that, because you don’t always get it,” Dombrowski said Wednesday. “That doesn’t always happen.”
He wasn’t referring specifically to any team or player, but a look at the power hitter market nationally would be a sign.
Detroit could still end up adding bullpen help, their top priority not long ago, but the Tigers are happier with their relief corps now than they were coming out of the All-Star break.
One sense becoming apparent is that the Tigers don’t quite seem to fit into the traditional labels that usually falls on teams this time of year. They’re not all-in buying, not if it means giving up top prospects for a one-year run, but they’re not selling either. While the Dodgers apparently approached the Tigers about utilityman Ryan Raburn, as ESPN.com’s Jayson Stark reported, they were rebuffed. Raburn has been playing left field this week in the Tigers’ new-look alignment with right fielder Magglio Ordonez out until likely September. And of course, he’s a right-handed hitter.
– Jason Beck

Will Rox deal Hawpe as he heats up?

Rockies right fielder Brad Hawpe has homered in two of his last three games. Part of it could be he’s at Coors Field, where he hits way better than on the road. Or it could be one of his patented hot streaks. If that’s the case, the Rockies have a tough decision on whether to trade him. The rumors are geting heavier. Jon Morosi of FOXSports.com Tweets that the Tigers have interest. Troy Renck of the Denver Post, via Twitter, noted that the Padres and White Sox have inquired about Hawpe. But the White Sox’s pursuit could depend on whether they can obtain Adam Dunn from the Nationals, and the Padres acquired Miguel Tejada yesterday.

Rockies could be playing into seller status

Tuesday night’s 4-2 loss to the Pirates put the fading Rockies in a precarious position when it comes to their approach to the non-waiver trade deadline. There is increasing speculation that the Rockies could turn into sellers.Joel Sherman of the New York Post reported that the Rockies have been quietly shopping veteran right-hander Aaron Cook. As The Denver Post reported, Cook is due $9.5 million next yeatr but his salary goes up by $1 million if he’s traded. There also is an $11 million mutual option with a $500,000 buyout for 2012. The Denver Post also mentions second baseman Clint Barmes, right fielder Brad Hawpe and pitchers Jorge De La Rosa and Joe Beimel. The Denver Post also reported that the Rockies have inquired about Cubs infielder Ryan Theriot, although it’s not clear what his role would be since shortstop Troy Tulowitzki has returned from the disabled list

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