Results tagged ‘ Rockies ’

Rockies deal Olivo to Blue Jays

The Rockies traded catcher Miguel Olivo to the Blue Jays on Thursday night for a player to be named or cash considerations, the Rockies announced.

The deal occurred just before Thursday night’s deadline for picking up Olivo’s 2011 option for $2.5 million. Olivo, 32, hit .269 with 14 home runs and 58 RBIs as the Rockies’ No. 1 catcher for much of last season. It was unclear whether the Jays would pick up the option. They could allow him to become a free agent, and receive a pick between the first and second rounds of the 2011 First-Year Player Draft.

The trade leaves Chris Iannetta, 27, as the lone catcher on the Rockies’ roster with significant Major League experience, although the club is expected to obtain another backstop through free agency or a trade.

Iannetta, an organization product who showed promise in an extended look in 2008 (.264, 18 HRs, 64 RBIs), but has struggled since and has not grabbed the No. 1 job. Last season, after signing a three-year, $8.35 million contract, Iannetta spent part of last season at Triple-A Colorado Springs and finished with a .197 average, nine home runs and 27 RBIs in 61 Major League games.

The Jays also are formulating their catching plans. They picked up a $1.2 million option on Jose Molina and have a top prospect in J.P. Arencibia. John Buck, the Jays’ No. 1 catcher and an All-Star in 2010, is a free agent. Like Olivo, Buck is a Type B free agent.

Would Olivo be a fit in Florida?

The Marlins are looking for a catcher, and Miguel Olivo may soon be on the market.

On Wednesday, it was reported that the Rockies will decline their end of Olivo’s mutual option for next year. The option was worth $2.7 million after the 32-year-old earned $2.5 million this season.

The Rockies will agree to pay a $500,000 buyout, freeing Olivo to explore the free agent market.

The Marlins are exploring catcher options, and there may be a fit with Olivo. At least internally, the team has brought up the possibility of bringing Olivo back to Florida, where he was a regular behind the plate in 2006 and 2007.

For the Rockies in 2010, Olivo appeared in 112 games, and he batted .269 with 14 home runs and 58 RBIs.

In 2006 and ’07 with the Marlins, Olivo belted 16 home runs in each season.

Catching is an area of need for Florida.

Ronny Paulino, who is arbitration eligible, was suspended for 50-games for violating MLB’s substance policy, and the team is weighing whether to bring him back.

John Baker underwent Tommy John surgery and he has not been cleared to begin baseball activities. With the uncertainty about when Baker will return, catcher is a primary position the Marlins are seeking to upgrade.

Olivo will at least draw consideration from Florida.

– Joe Frisaro

 

Rockies mulling Olivo option

Rockies general manager Dan O’Dowd said he will take until Thursday’s deadline before deciding whether to pick up catcher Miguel Olivo’s $2.5 million option for 2011. Even if he decides, the Rockies still have to determine whether Olivo, Chris Iannetta or a combination of both are solid enough to handle catching duties. Do the Rockies seek a trade or free agency? That’s one of this winter’s big questions.

The Rockies will not pick up left-hander Jeff Francis’ $7 million option for 2011. Three years of shoulder problems makes it too risky, but O’Dowd says he wants Francis back.

It should be an interesting free agency season. The big question is whether the Rockies can retain lefty Jorge De La Rosa, who could have numerous bidders.

 

My thoughts? If the bidders stay in the three-year range, the Rockies can compete. If someone goes overboard on years, the Rockies will wish him well.

 

– Thomas Harding

Roundup: Lefty power-hitting 1B, anyone?

He isn’t Adam Dunn or Prince Fielder — don’t give up hope on those guys, either, though — but Carlos Delgado is still out there, without a team, and wants to play. Contending teams are reportedly interested. 

According to FOXSports.com, Delgado — he of 473 career home runs and two hip surgeries since May of 2009 — is drawing interest from the White Sox, while the Mariners, Rockies and Red Sox are possible fits. Of those, Seattle would appear to be a longshot, since the 38-year-old would like to sign with a contending team. 
Delgado’s agent, David Sloane, told FOXSports.com his client has received two Minor League offers and would need a couple of weeks in the Minors to get ready. Delgado wants to play for a team in contention and one that will give him regular playing time, the Web site added. 
Here’s more from around the league … 
* Pedro Martinez, who recently relayed his intention to sit out the 2010 season through his agent, was asked on ESPN’s First Take what it would take for him to come back and pitch this season. This is what he said … 
Right now, it’s going to be hard to do, because I’m really enjoying what I’m doing with my family, and I’m really enjoying helping out the community with my foundation. … The time with my family, I think, is priceless. I’m really enjoying it, and so it’s going to take a lot to bring me out of my house, out of my comfort zone, right now. 
In order for the idle Martinez to be on a postseason roster, he must be picked up before Aug. 31. 
* The Royals designated outfielder Jose Guillen for assignment on Thursday. Guillen was in the last year of a three-year, $36 million contract. Now, Kansas City will have 10 days to trade, release or outright Guillen. Teams like the Giants, Rays, White Sox or Red Sox could be interested. 
* An unknown team has claimed Adam Dunn off waivers from the Nationals, which makes it less likely that the first baseman will be traded, according to FOXSports.com. Washington could now either engage in one-on-one negotiations with that club, or can pull him back. 
* The Mets are open to negotiating a contract extension with shortstop Jose Reyes, according to The New York Daily News. Reyes has a club option for 2011 worth $11 million, but New York is reportedly willing to scrap that for a long-term contract. Negotiations likely won’t be finalized until the end of the season, however. 
* Buck Showalter, the Orioles’ new manager, will earn $1.5 million a year each season through 2013, according to the Twitter account of ESPN’s Buster Olney. 
* Now that the non-waiver Trade Deadline has passed, teams have to first put a player on waivers before trading them. Under that, the Phillies acquired a veteran first baseman in Mike Sweeney from the Mariners — for a player to be named later or cash considerations — the Marlins signed infielder Chad Tracy, and the Pirates claimed a couple of righties in Chris Resop and Chan Ho Park. 
– Alden Gonzalez

Cantu subject of trade talks

Boosted by winning seven of 10 on their homestand that completed on Sunday, the Marlins are not thinking about making wholesale changes before Saturday’s non-waiver trade deadline.

The most likely player to be moved is Jorge Cantu.

A free agent after the season, Cantu has drawn attention from the Rangers, Rockies and Giants.

The Rangers appear to be the most viable option, based on reporting by MLB.com and other news outlets.

One of the Marlins most productive players since 2008, Cantu has 10 homers and 54 RBIs this season. In his 2 1/2 years with Florida has has 55 homers and 249 RBIs. The Marlins are seeking pitching in return.

The Marlins have already shown signs that they are preparing to be without Cantu. Dan Uggla, who is not being shoppped, was switched to cleanup with Cantu, dropping from fourth to fifth. 

After Cantu made two costly errors in a loss to the Braves on Saturday, he wasn’t in the lineup Sunday, although manager Edwin Rodriguez said the veteran was expected to get the day off anyway.

In late innings, Cantu has often been replaced at third base by Wes Helms. In the past, Cantu would switch to first base when Helms entered. Now, Gaby Sanchez frequently remains at first.

And at Triple-A New Orleans, highly touted prospect Logan Morrison — primarily a first baseman — has started in left field in nine straight games, including Monday afternoon. The last time Morrison started at first base was on July 19.

The significance of Morrison playing more in the outfield means the team appears to be leaning towards moving Chris Coghlan from left field to third base.

Coghlan, whose best position in the Minor Leagues was second base, saw considerable time at third base when he was a prospect. Defensively, Coghlan is said to be a little better at third than Cantu, whose best position is first base.

If Morrison is added to the lineup, it would provide a much needed left-handed bat. Morrison at New Orleans is hitting .306 with six homers and 44 RBIs with 16 doubles, and a .424 on-base percentage. He doesn’t generate big home run numbers, but he is seen as a plus .300 hitter in the big leagues.

Cantu may wind up being the only Marlin traded before Saturday’s deadline. Cody Ross, a subject of speculation, is a steady center fielder and teams haven’t been offering anything to entice the Marlins to make a trade.

Uggla is part of the team’s plans for 2011. The team is weighing whether to sign Uggla to a multi-year contract.

– Joe Frisaro

Orioles roster moves coming

With the anticipated activation of Brian Roberts and Matt Wieters in the next few days, the Orioles roster is becoming crowded enough that a possible trade could be in the works.

It is believed president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail wanted to wait until Roberts came back before dealing away utility infielder Ty Wigginton, who has been involved in numerous trade rumors. FoxSports.com reported on Thursday that the Yankees think the asking price for Wigginton is too high, and the Phillies have reportedly bowed out of the Wiggy hunt and are content with their in-house infield options.

The Rangers appear to be the leading destination, with the Rockies, Padres, Angels and Giants all teams with reported interest in adding Wigginton’s right-handed bat.

While the Orioles will be sellers at this year’s Trade Deadline, MacPhail told the Baltimore Sun earlier this week that he wouldn’t be opposed to picking up a salary dump

“A
claim would be something that would definitely be attractive,” MacPhail
said. “The trade for a big-time player, if it’s going to subtract from
the core guys you are trying to build around, that becomes more
problematic. It’s something you obviously would have to look at.”

–Brittany Ghiroli

 

Roundup: Yankees, Phillies going after Lee?

That’s what FoxSports.com’s Ken Rosenthal and ESPN.com’s Buster Olney are entertaining. Rosenthal heard through Major League sources that the Phillies want a top-of-the-rotation starter and that general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. has no qualms about trading for a pitcher he jettisoned in the offseason. Enter Cliff Lee, the best starting pitcher who will likely be available prior to the non-waiver Trade Deadline, and one who’s a free agent after this season. Meanwhile, Olney believes the Yankees and Mariners will at least talk about Lee before the Deadline. 

Still, FoxSports.com calls a reunion between Lee and the Phills “a longshot” and “perhaps unrealistic.” Philadelphia already gave up a bevy of prospects to acquire Roy Halladay this past offseason, and their focus right now is on acquiring infield help, since second baseman Chase Utley and third baseman Placido Polanco are on the disabled list. As for the Yankees, Olney states that the club has a recent history of reluctance to lose top prospects in gaining starting pitching, and he noted that the Yanks and M’s don’t have a very good trade history. 
The Rangers have been looked on as a team that has a strong chance at landing Lee. The Mets and Dodgers are also in need of starting-pitching help and could look in Lee’s direction. 
Here’s more from around the league … 
* Lee and the Yankees may be in the back burner, but the Yankees’ priority right now is improving their bench, general manager Brian Cashman told The Newark Star Ledger. Ty Wigginton, according to the Star Ledger, is someone in particular the Yankees have shown interest in. 
* Given a choice, Mets manager Jerry Manuel would prefer the club acquired a starting pitcher, though another option in the back end of the bullpen would be a nice consolation prize. 
* The Nationals signed Orlando “El Duque” Hernandez to a Minor League contract on Friday. Orlando, half-brother of Nats starter Livan Hernandez, is 44 years old and hasn’t pitched in the big leagues since 2007. He’ll start a throwing program in Viera, Fla., then work his way up to the Minors and hopefully join the Nats as a reliever. 
* Jermaine Dye, who hasn’t played this season but hasn’t retired, has been getting interest from the Rockies, Rangers and Padres, according to FoxSports.com. 
– Alden Gonzalez
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