The Colorado Rockies are trying to upgrade the back of their rotation even as they’re shopping right-hander Byung-Hyun Kim.
The Florida Marlins and Los Angeles Dodgers are interested in Kim as a reliever while the Oakland A’s are pursuing him as a starter.
The Rockies like Dodgers lefty Mark Hendrickson, and they’re in a flexible position with righty Josh Fogg; they could release Fogg in spring training and pay one-fourth of his salary ($906,000).
The Red Sox are in serious discussions with the Rockies about acquiring first baseman Todd Helton, but a trade hinges on how much of Helton’s contract the Rockies would be willing to assume. The talks began when the Red Sox inquired about Helton at the general managers’ meetings in November and have continued periodically since then, another source said. The discussions also are being reported by the Denver Post.
The Rockies would receive right-hander Craig Hansen along with two other prospects, according to a major-league source. Class AA center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury, the Sox’s top position prospect, almost certainly is one of the Rockies’ targets, but it is likely that a variety of major-and minor-league names are being exchanged.
Helton, 33, possesses a complete no-trade clause and is guaranteed $90.1 million over the next six seasons. He has said he would consider Boston, according to the Post, but his remaining salary is a major obstacle to any deal.
If the Sox acquired Helton, they possibly could move Youkilis to third and trade Mike Lowell, who is entering the last year of his contract. The addition of Helton would not address the team’s need for a closer; sending Lowell to a team such as the Padres could bring relief help.
The Rockies, moving to strengthen their rotation, have acquired right-hander Rodrigo Lopez from the Orioles for minor league right-handers Matt Miller and Jason Burch. Lopez, 31, should help replace the innings that the Rockies lost last month when they traded right-hander Jason Jennings to the Astros.
Lopez’s ERAs have increased from 3.59 to 4.90 to 5.90 the past three seasons. He is expected to earn more than $4 million in arbitration in ‘07, his last season before becoming a free agent. A six-year veteran, he is 60-61 lifetime with a 4.83 ERA.
In a trade that sparked immediate criticism from rival executives, the Astros parted with three players Tuesday — including top pitching prospect Jason Hirsh — to acquire right-hander Jason Jennings from the Rockies. The Astros exchanged Hirsh, right-hander Taylor Buchholz and center fielder Willy Taveras for Jennings and right-hander Miguel Asencio — a steep price, considering that Jennings is a free agent after this season.
Jennings’ groundball style should be well-suited for Minute Maid Park, but he has produced only one season of more than 12 wins. His career-best 3.78 ERA last season lowered his career mark to 4.74, a number inflated by hitter-friendly Coors Field.
The package of players the Astros sent to the Rockies is the same one they were prepared to give the White Sox last week in a proposed trade for right-hander Jon Garland.
Taveras, 25, will fill the Rockies’ void in center field. Chris Burke, 26, likely will take over for the Astros in center, and the trade could accelerate the rise of the Astros’ top position prospect, Class AA outfielder Hunter Pence, to the majors.
The Mets, seeking to upgrade their backup catcher and add infield depth, are talking to the Rockies about acquiring catcher Danny Ardoin and infielder Luis Gonzalez for a minor-league pitcher.
Ardoin, 32, was designated for assignment by the Rockies last Friday. A poor hitter but strong defender, he likely would replace Mike DiFelice.
Gonzalez, 27, primarily is a second baseman, but he has played all four infield positions in the past two seasons as well as left field and right. He would give the Mets protection if Jose Valentin again is slowed by his right hamstring injury.
In return for Ardoin and Gonzalez, the Rockies likely would receive Class AA right-hander Matt Lindstrom, 26, or Class AA right-hander Henry Owens, 27.
Owens currently is pitching for Team USA in the Olympic qualifying tournament. Neither he nor Lindstrom has pitched above Class AA.
The Rockies have sent first baseman Ryan Shealy and right-handed reliever Scott Dohmann to the Royals for left-hander Jeremy Affeldt and Class AAA right-hander Denny Bautista.
The New York Mets traded slumping second baseman Kaz Matsui and $4.5 million to the Colorado Rockies for utilityman Eli Marrero.
The Rockies optioned Matsui to Triple-A Colorado Springs and recalled outfielder Jorge Piedra.
The 30-year-old Matsui was hitting .200 with one home run and seven RBIs in 38 games. For three straight seasons, he has homered in his first at-bat of the year.
The 32-year-old Marrero batted .217 with four homers and 10 RBIs in 30 games for Colorado. He has started in right field, left field, first base and at catcher this season.
Joe Table, a.k.a Jose Mesa signs a 1 yr deal with the colorado Rockies.
I think he is about 90yrs old!