With trade rumblings already starting to make their way into the blogosphere and the World Series now just a memory (thankfully), we turn our attention to the so-called Hot Stove to see how our Rockies are looking to improve their club for the 2009 campaign.
Now, most of this "analysis" that I'm about to preach on these pages is from either snippets of ideas that I've read in newspapers like the Denver Post and Rocky Mountain News, coloradorockies.com, or even articles from fellow Bleacher Report contributors with a little bit of my own wish list thrown in.
We're going to do this on a team by team basis as to who might be interested in some of our boys.
O'Dowd has made it widely known that he is dangling both Garrett Atkins and Matt Holliday this winter in exchange for young, Major League-ready starting pitching, so if you notice a common theme among some of these possible suitors, well, I just told you.
New York Yankees
-Rockies Bleacher Report contributor David Martin already wrote an excellent piece on a possible Willy Taveras for Ian Kennedy trade that you can check out here. I think my feelings are pretty well known that I would trade Willy Taveras for a punch in the stomach much less for a young, talented starting pitching prospect.
-Also, you can never count out a team with Mariana Trench-like (that's right, a geography reference) pockets like the New York Yankees. You have to believe they'll at least be in the discussions for Matt Holliday.
Boston Red Sox
-With the uncertain injury status of current third baseman Mike Lowell, the Red Sox have been reported to have thrown their hat in the ring for Garrett Atkins. The Sawx have no shortage of young, talented pitchers like Clay Buchholz and my cousin, Justin Masterson.
Now, I could probably just call up my cousin and give him my best political stump speech on why he should want to come play in the mile high majesty of Colorado instead of the intense pressure of Beantown. Then, when he realized the wisdom of my words, he could go to Theo Epstein and demand a trade that would send him out west. He'd join a starting rotation of Francis, Cook, and Ubaldo that would give the Rockies a pitching staff that could compete with the rest of the NL West.
Hey, a guy can dream right?
Minnesota Twins
-Twins Bleacher Report contributor Warren Williams recently wrote a hypothetical article where we would trade Garrett Atkins to the Twins for outfielder Michael Cuddyer. While I wasn't too fond of the trade straight up, Minnesota does have some talented young pitchers that I'm sure O'Dowd wouldn't be too upset if he acquired.
Scott Baker, Kevin Slowey, and Nick Blackburn would be the names we would more than likely focus on if this or any trade with the Twinkies were likely to go down. Baker is the most attractive of the bunch, not physically mind you, but statistically, finishing 11-4 on the year with a 3.45 ERA. Slowey and Blackburn are both relatively young guys who were key components in the Twins' mad dash to their one-game playoff where they ultimately succumbed to the White Sox.
Chicago White Sox
-Speaking of those White Sox, Bleacher Report contributor Tab Bamford concocted a bold blockbuster trade opportunity between these two ball clubs that would send Matt Holliday and Garrett Atkins to the White Sox for Jermaine Dye, Nick Swisher, and Javier Vazquez. I immediately dismissed this deal at first, but upon further thought, it's not too radical.
Though Dye is getting up there in years, he would more or less replace Holliday's bat. Swisher can play both first base and outfield and would benefit from Coors Field's cavernous gaps. Vazquez has immense talent, but has never been able to overcome a debilitating case of mediocrity (showcased by his career 127-129 record.) He has also seemingly worn out his welcome with Sox manager Ozzie Guillen with his poor performance down the stretch.
To make such a dynamite deal go down, the White Sox may need to sweeten the pot by throwing in young lefty John Danks instead of Vazquez. If Danks were included, it might be tough to say no to Sox GM Kenny Williams.
Florida Marlins
While the Rockies are obviously looking for starting pitching to shore up a shaky rotation, if a deal for a power hitting second baseman falls into their laps, I would find it hard to believe that they would ignore it. That's where Dan Uggla comes in. Though apparently not known for his book-smarts and analytical game preparation, he sure knows how to hit. An infield of Helton, Uggla, Tulo, and some sort of Stewart/Atkins hybrid would be formidable to say the least.
New York Mets
They seem to have deep pockets as well and would be in the race for Matt Holliday. Whether or not they have enough to give the Rockies in return is a whole different story altogether.
Tampa Bay Rays
The Rays obviously have young talent to spare. If the Rays want to indulge in their Socialist side and spread the wealth around (since that seems so apropos,) I'm sure the Rockies could come to some sort of agreement for David Price, BJ Upton, Carl Crawford, or Matt Garza.
That's all I have right now. Leave any other trade ideas, dreams, or possibilities in the comments in case I might have glossed over a few.
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