Ringolsby: Let the trade of Jennings play itself out

Published December 15, 2006 at midnight

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After being the forgotten member of the National League West in the first 10 weeks of the offseason, the Rockies created quite a stir with the trade of right-handed pitcher Jason Jennings to the Houston Astros for center fielder Willy Taveras and right-handers Taylor Buchholz and Jason Hirsh.

Fans weren't happy.

In Colorado, ownership and general manager Dan O'Dowd were vilified for being cheap and selling off Jennings because he was a year from free agency.

In Houston, ownership and general manager Tim Purpura were vilified for giving away so many promising young players to get a pitcher who hasn't had a winning record in five years and might walk away at season's end.

Truth is, nobody knows how good the deal was.

And odds are, the deal could have an even bigger impact before spring training opens.

The trade gave the Rockies a highly thought of young pitcher, Hirsh, who was ranked Houston's No. 1 prospect a year ago, and more depth.

They now have a surplus among position players and an extra pitcher to add to the mix if they decide to start wheeling and dealing. And this is where O'Dowd has a chance to get creative.

With Steve Finley the last remaining center fielder on the free-agent market and the Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Washington Nationals and Florida Marlins desperate for a center fielder, the Rockies are in a strong position.

They could dangle Taveras, who has been the No. 1 offseason target of the White Sox and Marlins, or they could see what the market will bring for Cory Sullivan or Ryan Spilborghs.

Rocco Baldelli has been a primary target for the Rockies from the start of the offseason, but the Devil Rays would want two quality arms and a shortstop to give up the run-producing center fielder.

Say, like a pitcher the Rockies could get in return for Taveras, along with a pitcher they already have, like Juan Morillo or maybe even Buchholz (Devil Rays special assistant Gerry Hunsicker did, after all, acquire Buchholz for Houston from Philadelphia in the Billy Wagner trade), and Clint Barmes?

Time will tell.

But what is obvious is some deals will be made.

If Taveras stays, it's not likely the Rockies will have room for Sullivan and Choo Freeman.

Now that center field is not an option for Barmes and with Troy Tulo- witzki seemingly a lock for the shortstop spot, Barmes could well be on the move, too, with the Rockies figuring they already have depth among utility players with Jamey Carroll and Luis Gonzalez.

And don't forget that $4 million benefit to the payroll budget the Rockies received from trading Jennings, which will allow O'Dowd a little more latitude in players he pursues in trades or free agency.

Overheard

• Philadelphia wants to deal right-handed starter Jon Lieber for relief help and is hoping to interest Texas, which could offer right-handed reliever Akinori Otsuka.

• San Diego is expected to sign second baseman Marcus Giles, who was not offered a contract by Atlanta. A native of the San Diego area, Giles could play on the same team as brother Brian.

• Center fielder Vernon Wells is encouraged about remaining with Toronto in light of the Blue Jays' seven- year, $126 million contract extension offer.

The readers' turn

Aaron Geffre asks, "Would it make sense for the Rockies to trade (Todd) Helton and move (Garrett) Atkins back to first base and open up a spot at third for Ian Stewart? That would also free up some salary space for the Rockies to lock up players like Jennings and (Matt) Holliday down the road."

For Tracy Ringolsby's response or to ask questions, check out his blog at http://blogs.RockyMountain News.com/denver/rockies.

Two cents' worth

Baseball commissioner Bud Selig told Reuters he plans to retire in three years, when his current contract expires.

Don't bet on it.

If Selig is healthy, he's not going to be in a hurry to walk away from the job. It's his life. And, remember, when he was appointed interim commissioner after Fay Vincent was thrown out of office, Selig said he'd never consider taking the job full time.

Then he said he would retire at the end of his first term but signed the four-year extension that currently is in effect.

If Selig does get to a point where he steps down, however, look for Andy MacPhail to be the No. 1 candidate to replace him. A third-generation baseball executive, MacPhail has served as president of the Minnesota Twins and Cubs.

Playing with the numbers

• Right-hander Jason Hirsh, acquired in the package the Rockies received from Houston for Jason Jennings, made his major league debut in the final weeks last season and went 3-4 with a 6.04 ERA in nine starts. In his last six starts, though, he was 2-2 (the Astros were 4-2) with a 3.58 ERA. And he went six innings in each of the losses, giving up three runs to the Mets and two to the Phillies.

• Jennings was the Rockies' all-time career leader in wins, shutouts and strikeouts. He also was the all-time career leader in losses, runs allowed and walks. In other words, Jennings pitched longer with the Rockies than any other pitcher.

• The National League Rookie of the Year in 2002 when he went 16-8, Jennings has not had a winning record since. Add in his 4-1 record in his debut season of 2001 and he began his career with a 20-9 record. During the past four seasons, Jennings is a combined 38-47.

• With the addition of Hirsh, the Rockies roster contains each of the past three Pitcher of the Year award winners in the Double-A Texas League - Ubaldo Jimenez (2006), Hirsh (2005) and Jeff Francis (2004).

MILE-HIGH WATCH

• Todd West, a two-time All-Star shortstop at Highlands Ranch High School, is getting into the other side of the baseball business: He is going to work for Career Sports & Entertainment as an agent.

West went on to play for the University of Texas and was a 14th-round draft choice of Milwaukee in 2000. He played five years in the Brewers, Indians and Diamondbacks organizations before deciding to move on. Former Rockies minor-league infielder Keith Grunewald, the team's 12th-round draft choice in 1993, is the director of baseball operations for Career Sports.

• The list of players not tendered contracts this week included right-handed pitchers Scott Dohmann by the Royals, Eduardo Sierra by the White Sox and Jorge Sosa by the Cardinals.

The Rockies dealt Dohmann to Kansas City in July with first baseman Ryan Shealy for left-hander Jeremy Affeldt and right-hander Denny Bautista. Sierra and right-hander Ramon Ramirez were acquired by the Rockies from the Yankees for right-hander Shawn Chacon, and Sierra was then lost on waivers to the White Sox. Sosa originally was an outfielder in the Rockies farm system.

ringolsbyt@RockyMountainNews.com

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