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Little is on O'Dowd's plate

On heels of World Series appearance, it's more a matter of fine-tuning than undertaking overhaul

Tracy Ringolsby, Rocky Mountain News

Published November 5, 2007 at midnight

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ORLANDO, Fla. - Dealin' Dan has gone dull.

Once the life of any baseball gathering with efforts to mix and match and put together multiple-team trades, Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd has become a wallflower.

"I am much more comfortable this way," O'Dowd said. "It means we have created a solid base."

O'Dowd arrives at the opening of the general managers' meetings today without a massive to-do list. With the Rockies last month having won the first National League pennant in franchise history and the bulk of that team under control for 2008, he is more into fine-tuning than rebuilding.

"For most things, we have internal candidates we are comfortable with," he said, "but I would like to continue to build depth for the rotation, and the bullpen is in a state of flux. Every year you go through building a bullpen."

The Rockies do have pieces to make a major deal, if it appeals to them.

With the emergence of closer Manny Corpas and the presence of top third base prospect Ian Stewart, teams are at least kicking tires to see how willing the Rockies are to make a deal involving three-time All-Star closer Brian Fuentes and incumbent third baseman Garrett Atkins.

"We aren't under pressure to move anybody," said O'Dowd, whose payroll budget will jump from $54 million on Opening Day this year to slightly more than $70 million.

Rockies' winter forecast

How the Rockies are approaching the offseason in regard to:

• Rotation. Use ink for the names of Aaron Cook, Jeff Francis and Ubaldo Jimenez. Give an edge to Jason Hirsh and Franklin Morales for the two other spots. RHP Josh Fogg is gone if he gets an expected three-year, $21 million offer. The Rockies have interest in re-signing Jason Jennings if a medical check eases concerns about a recent operation. They also would like to bring back Elmer Dessens and Mark Redman on minor league deals.

• Bullpen. Corpas and Fuentes give the Rockies quality in late innings. Ryan Speier has shown the ability to handle middle work, and Taylor Buchholz is a quality arm in a long role. The Rockies hope to re-sign Matt Herges and have interest in LaTroy Hawkins, but at a major reduction from the $3.5 million of last season. Darren Clarke, Juan Morillo, Pedro Stroop and Casey Weathers could rise from the minors at some point in 2008. And Shawn Chacon has expressed interest in returning.

• Catcher. Chris Iannetta is the long-range hope, but the Rockies want a veteran presence, which is why they would like to re-sign Yorvit Torrealba or pursue Jason Kendall and Paul Lo Duca on the free-agent market.

• Infield. 1B Todd Helton, 3B Garrett Atkins and SS Troy Tulowitzki are set. 2B Kazuo Matsui will be offered a contract, but the Rockies also have internal options with Jamey Carroll, Clint Barmes, Omar Quintanilla and Jayson Nix. They figure into a utility role, too.

• Outfield. LF Matt Holliday, CF Willy Taveras and RF Brad Hawpe are back along with fourth outfielder Ryan Spilborghs. Cory Sullivan provides a left-handed backup to Taveras but could become an expensive extra man because of arbitration. Seth Smith showed promise in September and in the postseason but won't be kept in the big leagues if he doesn't get at-bats.

Quick hits

Key items on each team's offseason agenda:

• AL EAST

ORIOLES: Plan to dismantle and rebuild, which would lead to a trade of SS Miguel Tejada, who has two years and $26 million left on his contract.

RED SOX: Have pressure to re-sign 3B Mike Lowell, but management long has been enamored of Alex Rodriguez, who could return to shortstop.

YANKEES: Have to find a replacement for Alex Rodriguez, who opted out of his contract, and will look at Mike Lowell, Joe Crede, Brandon Inge and Garrett Atkins.

DEVIL RAYS: Could dangle OF Carl Crawford for quality starting pitching.

BLUE JAYS: Have a $90 million payroll but little flexibility for a major addition.

• AL CENTRAL

WHITE SOX: Are willing to trade a veteran starter, preferring to deal Jose Contreras but most likely having to part with Jon Garland, for help in left field, center field and at shortstop.

INDIANS: Don't feel a need for anything major but could use a run producer in left field.

TIGERS: Filled shortstop need with Edgar Renteria and now turn to finding a regular left fielder.

ROYALS: Cleared $25 million off the payroll books and hope that can be used to add run production.

TWINS: Will listen for an overwhelming offer for LHP Johan Santana, a year away from free agency.

• AL WEST

ANGELS: Have to figure out if they will shell out the bucks for Alex Rodriguez to fill the need for power in the middle of the lineup.

A's: Are hinting at rebuilding, which could mean RHPs Joe Blanton and Dan Haren could be dealt for a package of prospects.

MARINERS: Want to unload Richie Sexson, who hit .205 in 2007 and is guaranteed $14 million in 2008.

RANGERS: Need a center field upgrade and have targeted, in order, Torii Hunter, Aaron Rowand, Mike Cameron and Coco Crisp.

• NL EAST

BRAVES: Would like to welcome back LHP Tom Glavine and are in the hunt for center field help.

MARLINS: Will check the market for LHP Dontrelle Willis and 3B Miguel Cabrera, who figure to make a combined $20 million in 2008.

METS: Want an impact arm for the rotation and will push Twins hard on Johan Santana.

PHILLIES: Want third base run production, which has them looking at Mike Lowell and Garrett Atkins.

NATIONALS: Are in a long-term building plan that requires patience.

• NL CENTRAL

CUBS: Are trying to sort out the outfield situation. Could be a player for a center fielder, using Felix Pie and Matt Murton in right.

REDS: Are desperate to add two starting pitchers but hope former No. 1 draft pick Homer Bailey can fill one of the voids.

ASTROS: Will move Hunter Spence to right field if they can add a center fielder.

BREWERS: Have to re-sign closer Francisco Cordero.

PIRATES: Are ready to retool, once again, and would like to move OF Jason Bay for prospects.

CARDINALS: Have to decide whether to give SS David Eckstein a multiyear deal or look for a replacement.

• NL WEST

DIAMONDBACKS: Need starting pitching with free-agent departure of Livan Hernandez and back concerns for Randy Johnson.

ROCKIES: Have to decide whether to re-sign C Yorvit Torrealba or pursue Jason Kendall and Paul Lo Duca.

DODGERS: Have sights set on Alex Rodriguez to fill third base void.

PADRES: Need to fill voids at second base (released Marcus Giles) and center field (free agent Mike Cameron).

GIANTS: Need offense, and RHP Tim Lincecum could go in a major trade.

New kids

Seven new general managers hired since the end of the season:

Team New GM

Angels Tony Reagins

Astros Ed Wade

Braves Frank Wren

Cardinals John Mozeliak

Marlins Michael Hill

Pirates Neal Huntington

Twins Bill Smith

Seniority

Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd has climbed to fifth among general managers in terms of tenure with their current teams:

Team GM Hired

Padres Kevin Towers Nov. 17, 1995

Giants Brian Sabean Sept. 30, 1996

A's Billy Beane Oct. 17, 1997

Yankees Brian Cashman Feb. 3, 1998

Rockies Dan O'Dowd Sept. 20, 1999