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| The Rockies added Shane Lindsay to their 40-man roster on Saturday, according to the Rockies official web site. |
Our View: The 23-year-old pitcher split last season at single-A and double-A and is currently pitching in the Arizona Fall League. |
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| For the second straight game Eric Young Jr. homered in Arizona Fall League play on Thursday. |
Our View: Young is tearing up AFL pitching. He is hitting .430 with five home runs and 20 RBI. |
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| The Cleveland Indians are said to have some interest in Huston Street if the Rockies lower their asking price for the one-time closer, according to Cleveland Plain-Dealer. |
Our View: The Rockies acquired Street in the Matt Holliday deal, and now they are listening to offers for him. The Indians are looking for a closer and Street does have 94 saves in four years. |
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| Eric Young Jr. continued to tear up the Arizona Fall League on Wednesday. Young was 1-for-2 with his fourth home run. |
Our View: Young is leading the AFL in average (.429), runs (36) and stolen bases (20). He has also gotten a hit in nine of his last 10 games. |
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| There are reportedly around a dozen MLB clubs interested in Rockies' outfielder Cory Sullivan, according to the Denver Post. |
Our View: Three teams have expressed serious interest, but the source did not disclose exactly what teams they are. Sullivan needs work on his hitting, but is solid defensively. |
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| Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports that the Rockies will listen to offers for newly acquired reliever Huston Street. |
Our View: Street recently spoke with Colorado's team management, and stated that he expects to be with the Rockies in 2009, instead of being traded. We will keep you posted on the situation. Manny Corpas would be the top candidate to close games if Street is dealt. |
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| The Mets will ink either Brian Fuentes or Francisco Rodriguez, according to Newsday. |
Our View: Which one among the two depends on the contract length and terms. The team may not want to give in on a fourth-year, which is believed to be less of an issue with Fuentes. |
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| The New York Mets will start to make offers to potential closers this week, and despite heavy rumors that Francisco Rodriguez is the object of their desire, Brian Fuentes could also get an offer, according to New York Newsday. |
Our View: Fuentes will not likely command the years and dollars that K-Rod will, and he could prove to be similarly effective. |
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| Todd Helton is making progress following back surgery, but he is a long time away from baseball activities, according to the Denver Post. |
Our View: Helton is a risky option for fantasy owners due to his back problems, and the Rockies have a viable backup plan in Joe Koshansky. |
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| According to the Denver Post, GM Dan O'Dowd said the possibility of moving Ian Stewart to left field to replace Matt Holliday is "very viable." |
Our View: There are still rumors that the Rockies could move Garrett Atkins, allowing Stewart to stay at third base. It does sound like the Rockies would like Stewart to be a regular next season. |
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| Rockies hurler Franklin Morales has only given up one run in his last three games in the Venezuelan winter league, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: The left-handed Morales had a rough 2008 in the bigs, starting just eight games and collecting a 6.39 ERA with 1.78 WHIP before being shipped to Triple-A. He needs to get better command, but is certainly a young talent with loads of promise who fantasy owners should keep an eye on. |
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| The Colorado Rockies are going to offer reliever Brian Fuentes arbitration, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: There is little chance that Fuentes will accept arbitration, and by offering it to Fuentes, who is a Type-A free agent, the team would get a top compensatory draft pick. |
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| Newest Colorado outfielder Carlos Gonzalez, acquired in the Matt Holliday deal, will get to compete for a spot with the team during spring training, but he may start the year in Triple-A, according to the Denver Post. |
Our View: Gonzalez has all the tools required to be a successful center fielder in Colorado, but it will be imperative that he cut down on his strikeout totals, as he whiffed 81 times in 302 at-bats in the big leagues last season. |
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| There has been rampant speculation that the Rockies are attempting to trade third baseman Garrett Atkins, but that is not necessarily the case, according to the Denver Post. "There won't be an 'Atkins watch.' We are completely comfortable going into next year with him as a right-handed bat in the middle of our lineup," said team GM Dan O'Dowd. |
Our View: O'Dowd did say that the team would still be listening to offers for Atkins, so the possibility him being traded remains realistic. |
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| Reliever Huston Street said he spoke with Colorado's team management, and that he expects to be with the Rockies next season instead of being traded, as had been rumored, according to the Denver Post. |
Our View: Street will likely be competing for the closer's job with Manny Corpas, but don't be shocked if both are called on at some point next season, as shutting the door in Coors Field is never an easy task. |
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| Carlos Gonzalez has officially been dealt to the Rockies as part of the blockbuster deal involving elite outfielder Matt Holliday, according to the Associated Press. Pitcher Greg Smith and closer Huston Street were also packaged in the deal. |
Our View: Gonzalez looks to be a good fit Colorado, and his power numbers would obviously improve while playing his home games at Coors Field. His run and RBI production would also improve while playing in a more efficient offense. |
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| Greg Smith has officially been traded to the Rockies, along with outfielder Carlos Gonzalez and closer Huston Street, in exchange for elite outfielder Matt Holliday, according to the Associated Press. |
Our View: Smith maintained a passable 1.35 WHIP over 32 starts in 2007 with Oakland, and should easily improve upon his seven wins with better run support from his Rockies' teammates. |
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| Huston Street has officially been dealt from the Athletics to the Rockies as part of the blockbuster trade involving Matt Holliday, according to the Associated Press. Outfielder Carlos Gonzalez and pitcher Greg Smith were also shipped to Colorado. |
Our View: Street will be the top candidate to replace Brian Fuentes as the Rockies' closer, who is expected to depart in free agency. Street will likely give up more homers this season while leaving a pitcher's ballpark for launching pad Coors Field, but will surely get more save opportunities by working for a better team. |
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| Boston considered dealing for Matt Holliday, according to the Boston Globe. |
Our View: Boston and Colorado were briefly in trade talks for Holliday, but Boston walked away from the table due to Colorado's steep asking price. It is unknown exactly which players were being asked for, but Jacoby Ellsbury, Justin Masterson, Clay Buchholz, and Michael Bowden were likely mentioned. |
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| Brian Fuentes appears to be at the top of the Mets' wish list at closer, though they are also interested in Francisco Rodriguez and Kerry Wood, as well, according to MLB.com. The team is looking to fill its needs for a starting pitcher and a closer, with the offense not being a priority. |
Our View: Fuentes has reportedly offered his services to the Mets already for $44 million over four years. It wouldn't be a surprise at all if the team signs him to a similar deal. |
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| The Twins could be interested in Huston Street should the Rockies decide to flip him to another team, according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. |
Our View: Obviously Joe Nathan would remain the closer if this happens, but with Pat Neshek out for the year, the team could use some setup help. The Twins are also known to be interested in Garrett Atkins, so perhaps the two teams could make a multi-player deal. |
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| Ryan Spilborghs will play in Mexico next month to prepare to be the Rockies' starter in center field next season, according to the Denver Post. This is another indication that the team is trying to deal Willy Taveras. |
Our View: Spilborghs is a fine hitter and would be a definite sleeper play with a full-time gig in Denver. |
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| The Rockies have told people close to Manuel Corpas that he is the team's closer for next season, according to the Denver Post. Corpas had a rough beginning and end to the 2008 season but pitched very well in between. |
Our View: This news would lead you to believe that the Rockies may be planning on flipping Huston Street to another team. However, they could also just keep him around as insurance. |
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| The Rockies could flip Carlos Gonzalez, who was acquired as part of the Matt Holliday deal, to another club for additional players, according to FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal. |
Our View: If Gonzalez stays, he would almost surely end up starting and would be a big sleeper in Denver. We'll keep you posted on his status. |
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| The Reds are interested in Rockies' outfielder Willy Taveras, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. The Reds are also interested in Garrett Atkins and Yorvit Torrealba. |
Our View: The source did not mention what the Reds may be willing to give up to acquire any of the Rockies' players. They are believed to be the most interested in speedy base stealer Taveras. |
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| The Rockies have agreed to deal elite outfielder Matt Holliday to the Athletics in exchange for closer Huston Street, left-hander Greg Smith, and outfielder Carlos Gonzalez, according to the Denver Post. The deal is pending physicals by the Athletics' players. |
Our View: Holliday agreed to take a physical, even though the Athletics told him it wasn't necessary. More will be posted when the deal becomes official. |
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| News is slowly starting to trickle out about the Matt Holliday to Oakland A's deal. The latest bit of information says that the Athletics will be sending closer Huston Street, OF Carlos Gonzalez and SP Greg Smith to the Rockies, according to Yahoo! Sports. |
Our View: If true, the Rockies will certainly bow out of the Brian Fuentes sweepstakes as they can replace him with Street. Smith was solid this season despite a terrible record (7-16), that was the result of some horrific run support. And while Gonzalez struggled as a rookie last season (.242-4-26 in 302 AB), his future is bright according to scouts. |
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| In a blockbuster move, Matt Holliday has been traded to the Oakland Athletics, according to Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated. |
Our View: This deal is just breaking and we don't even know the other players involved. An update will be forthcoming once we learn who is involved, but given that the A's payroll is limited, it remains to be seen if this is anything more than just a single year pickup (Holliday will be a free agent after the 2009 season). |
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| The rumors that Matt Holliday would be traded to the Cardinals apparently will not come to fruition, according to the Rocky Mountain News. Cardinals GM John Mozeliak said late Sunday that the trade "is dead" whereas Rockies GM Dan O'Dowd stated that he didn't feel that a deal, with any team, is imminent. |
Our View: This deal never really made sense to us as it was being discussed since it seemed odd that Ryan Ludwick and his small contract would be moved in a package deal to the Rockies to pick up Holliday and his massive contract demands. The Rockies will continue to try and move Holliday, and there is always a chance these two teams will revisit the deal. |
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| In order to acquire Matt Holliday from the Rockies, the St. Louis Cardinals would have to give up Ryan Ludwick, Skip Schumaker and Mitchell Boggs, according to Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com. |
Our View: The issue with Holliday are the wide gaps in his home and road splits. He is a much better hit at Coors, as are many players, so his fantasy value, should he get traded, would be downgraded. |
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| The Minnesota Twins are exploring trade possibilities, and the players they are interested in include Garrett Atkins, J.J. Hardy and Yunel Escobar, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune. |
Our View: Atkins has been shopped since the regular season ended, and the Twins make sense as they not only need a third baseman, but they need to add power to their lineup as well. |
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| The latest Matt Holliday rumor has the slugger potentially ending up in St. Louis in exchange for Ryan Ludwick and others, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. This is merely a rumor at this point as GM John Mozeliak did not confirm the report when asked. However, "sources" claim that a deal has been discussed. |
Our View: Holliday will be a great player no matter where he ends up, but you have to remember that his work on the road during his career is merely solid (.280/.348/.803) meaning that you should consider Holliday's value to be a bit up in the air until we know what park he will call home. |
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| Brian Fuentes reportedly offered his services to the Mets for $44 million over four years, according to the Rocky Mountain News. |
Our View: Executives with Cleveland and St. Louis indicated they would be interested only in a one-year or two-year deal for Fuentes.
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| Several MLB executives predict that Matt Holliday will land in either Philadelphia or Oakland, according to the Denver Post. |
Our View: The Rockies are said to be open-minded to any propsed deal, and do not have to receive a solid starting pitcher in return. Holliday would be an upgrade and a great replacement for Pat Burrell if he is dealt to the Phillies. Oakland seems a less likely destination for him. |
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| It is becoming increasingly likely that Matt Holliday will be traded by the Rockies, according to the Denver Post. The Yankees are still all over the rumor mill as a contender for Holliday as well. One scenario has the Yankees trading Hideki Matsui to Seattle and acquiring Holliday, while the Rockies get a package of prospects including Phil Hughes. This is similar to the deal that sent Manny Ramirez to the Dodgers and Jason Bay to the Red Sox. |
Our View: The Yankees didn't deal young talent for Johan Santana last season, and they missed the playoffs. Apparently the Yankees only will be patient for one year every couple of decades or so. They're now pulling out all of the stops, looking to go after just about every big name player who is available. |
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| The Rocky Mountain News reports that Eric Young Jr. was named a co-player of the week in the AFL. |
Our View: Young hit two grand slams, including an inside-the-park grand slam, for the Phoenix Desert Dogs during the week. Young leads the AFL with 14 stolen bases, 31 hits and 28 runs scored. He is fifth in the league with a .431 average. |
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| The Denver Post reports that the Colorado Rockies have no interest in re-signing left-handed reliever Brian Fuentes. |
Our View: This is likely great news for Manny Corpas who figures to be the closer in 2009. He was excellent in that role in the final four months of 2007 and helped lead the team to the World Series. |
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| As expected, Willy Taveras is on the Rockies' trading block, according to the Denver Post. |
Our View: The speedy base stealer has already garnered interest from the White Sox, Nationals and Yankees, who have pitcher Ian Kennedy as a trading chip.
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| Brian Fuentes has filed for free agency, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: Fuentes lost the closer job to Manny Corpas in 2007 but regained it in 2008 and by season's end proved to be effective while nailing down 30 saves, with a 1.10 WHIP. He should garner favorable interest on the free agent market among relievers. |
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