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Hernandez becomes possible pitching help for Rockies

By Tracy Ringolsby, Rocky Mountain News

Published August 5, 2008 at 6:20 p.m.

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Livan Hernandez, shown pitching for the Twins against the Rockies in May, has gone 33-27 with a 3.87 ERA in 80 career starts against the Rockies' NL West rivals.

Photo by David Zalubowski/Associated Press

Livan Hernandez, shown pitching for the Twins against the Rockies in May, has gone 33-27 with a 3.87 ERA in 80 career starts against the Rockies' NL West rivals.

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The Rockies are intent on adding a veteran starting pitcher to the rotation.

Shut out in making a trade before Thursday's nonwaiver deadline, the Rockies were awarded a waiver claim on right-handed pitcher Livan Hernandez on Tuesday.

If the Minnesota Twins pull Hernandez off waivers, the Rockies will make a waiver claim on Cincinnati pitcher Josh Fogg, the Rocky Mountain News learned.

Club officials are forbidden from discussing wavier claims under major league rules.

The Twins placed Hernandez on trade waivers, giving them until Thursday to decide whether to let Hernandez go to the Rockies.

A source close to the Twins indicated the team hoped to get the Rockies to give up a player for allowing the claim, but it is doubtful the Rockies would do that and also take on more than $1.5 million in financial obligations.

The Twins could pull Hernandez off trade waivers and place him on irrevocable waivers for the purpose of giving him his release.

Given a chance to pick his own team, Hernandez most likely would lean toward the Mets, the No. 1 team on his wish list during the offseason and for whom he would be with reunited with half-brother Orlando Hernandez.

The Mets, and possibly St. Louis, are believed to have placed a claim on Hernandez, but the Rockies were awarded the claim because they have a worse record.

The Rockies would assume roughly 30 percent of Hernandez's $5 million salary, as well as 30 percent of any incentives he earns. The Twins would be responsible for the rest.

Hernandez was 10-8 with a 5.48 ERA for the Twins, who were 14-9 in his starts. But Hernandez was 4-7 with a 6.59 ERA in his last 14 starts.

Looking to make a late-season run in the National League West, the Rockies like the fact Hernandez pitches innings, which would take a load off the bullpen, and he has had success against the Rockies' four NL West rivals.

Hernandez is 33-27 with a 3.87 ERA in 80 career starts against Arizona, the Dodgers, San Diego and San Francisco.

Comments

  • August 6, 2008

    7:26 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    SLoganSt writes:

    Cool. This move sure seems like it is worth the risk. What is the downside? Compared to the other guys the Rockies have been trying to work into the rotation, at least this guy has been actually pitching in the majors...

  • August 6, 2008

    10:59 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    1somelikeithot writes:

    I really don't see this happening. Livan WANTS to go to the Mets. He wouldn't be happy to be here. What player would the Twins want? I think O'Dowd is just grasping at straws at this point.

  • August 6, 2008

    1:26 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    arvada_mark writes:

    I don't want him. He's run his mouth about us in the past. And like Jeter when he popped off, his club got swept of of Coors last year. He's too old. Yeah, he may be able to give us 7 innings, but what good are they if he gives up 5-6 runs? Fogg can eat innings too, but he also brings with him his clubhouse leadership. I saw Livan throw when the Twins came through, he was good for about 2 innings, then he was average at best. Are the Twins trying to dump his salary? They are still in the Central race. I say only take him if he comes with a case of scotch & no player in return.