Rox Questions?

December 6th, 2009 | by wutae3 |

There are a lot of rumors and reports flying around the MLB this time of the year. With the Winter Meetings beginning on Monday, the Rockies have been the source of a few of those reports swirling around Indianapolis. Here is an in-depth look at the potential questions facing the Rockies this offseason.

Will Huston Street get a long-term deal from the Rockies?

The Rockies are hoping negotiations with Street heat up during the Winter Meetings. Colorado will have to offer Street at least a 3-year deal worth at least $25 million to get the deal done.

My Take: With no other options for the closer role, Colorado must give Street a long-term deal. Rafael Betancourt could fill the spot if he resigns but the Rockies like him as a setup man. Manuel Corpas is recovering from injury and needs to regain his confidence. And Taylor Buchholz has a while before he is ready to pitch important innings.

Street

What will Rafael Betancourt do?

The Rockies offered Betancourt arbitration on Tuesday. Betancourt has three options now. He can accept the Rockies $5 million offer, the two sides can go to arbitration with his salary being set by an arbitrator or Betancourt can reject the Rockies offer. If he does reject the offer, he can sign with any club and the Rockies will receive two early round draft picks due to Betancourt being a Type A free agent.

My Take: The Rockies need to resign Betancourt especially if they can’t get a deal done with Huston Street. However, it wouldn’t be the end of the world if he signed with another team since the Rockies would receive a first round pick and another early round pick. At the end of the day, it would be in the Rockies best interest to resign their set-up man.

What’s the deal with Brad Hawpe?

There has been speculation that Hawpe could be on the move this offseason. However, Dan O’Dowd came out yesterday and said he probably wouldn’t trade Hawpe. O’Dowd did say that Hawpe could play some first base next season when Todd needs a day off.

My Take: The Rockies should only trade Hawpe if they get a valuable piece in return. Colorado is asking for a young pitcher who could be inserted into the rotation right away. I still feel the Rockies should hold on to Hawpe unless they are blown away by a deal. I know he struggled the second half of last season. But Hawpe has proven that he can hit .280, hit 25 HRs with 90 RBIs. Those numbers are hard to replace in the middle of the line-up. I don’t mind Hawpe playing a little first base since the Rockies do not currently have a backup at the position.

Hawpe

Will Yorvit Torrealba be back?

Colorado declined Torrealba’s option for the 2010 season. Colorado did not want to pay Torrealba $4 million to be a backup. The Rockies still want Chris Iannetta to be their primary catcher next season.

My Take: Torrealba played well once he earned the starting role over Iannetta. He provides great leadership and has developed a great bond with the young Latino pitchers on the roster. I would take Torrealba back at a much lower cost than $4 million. He is a reliable backup and he provides a lot of energy. However, he would have to accept his role as a backup again and help develop the young pitchers like he’s done over the past few seasons.

Torre

Is Garrett Atkins all but gone?

Atkins will most likely be playing for another team next season. Colorado is currently trying to trade him but there isn’t much of a market for him right now since teams know the Rockies will most likely release him in the near future.

My Take: The Rockies are sold on giving the third base job to Ian Stewart. The leaves Atkins out of the fold. While I think the Rockies will miss a right-handed bat in the middle of the lineup, Atkins is no longer the player he used to be. Colorado needs to sign a right-handed bat that can replace Atkins on the roster.

Atkins

Will Orlando Hudson be with the Rockies next season?

There are reports circulating around that the Rockies are interest in signing Hudson. O’Dowd came out today and stated the Rockies are not interest in Hudson at this moment. However, towards the end of free agency, if he is still available, the Rockies may have some interest. O’Dowd said they are happy with Clint Barmes at second.

My Take: The signing of Hudson is a season too late. I thought the Rox should have gone after him last season. I agree with O’Dowd, if he still available in a few months, then the Rockies should entertain the idea of bringing him in. However, I like Barmes and Eric Young Jr. manning second base at this point.

O-Dogg