RINGOLSBY: Quiet winter for big spenders

By Tracy Ringolsby, Rocky Mountain News

Friday, January 25, 2008

Eric Miller / Associated Press/2006

Twins ace Johan Santana still could be traded to Boston or the New York Yankees, but up to this point, the two high payroll teams have stayed out of the trade and free-agent markets.

The biggest surprise this offseason could be that the big spenders didn't spend.

After winning the World Series in 2004, the Red Sox revamped their rotation. They let Pedro Martinez and Derek Lowe leave as free agents and brought in Matt Clement and David Wells, a pair of signings that went bad.

This time? The Sox have kept their 2007 world championship team intact. The only loss was reliever Eric Gagne, a midseason addition from Texas who was a disappointment in Boston.

The Yankees, meanwhile, traditionally have been big spenders on the free-agent market. Not this year. Their only offseason addition was middle reliever LaTroy Hawkins, who takes the place of right-hander Luis Vizcaino.

Both the Red Sox and Yankees, of course, remain involved in talks with Minnesota about left-hander Johan Santana, but in general, they both seem ready to give players from within a chance to fill needs.

NL Central a'changin'

Things are changing rapidly in the National League Central, where rosters and front offices are being shaken up.

New managers have been hired in Cincinnati (Dusty Baker), Houston (Cecil Cooper) and Pittsburgh (John Russell). And there are new general managers in Houston (Ed Wade), Pittsburgh (Neal Huntington) and St. Louis (John Mozeliak).

Nothing like successive seasons in which the Central champ won 82 games (2006 Cardinals) and 85 games (2007 Cubs) to create hope among the other members of the division.

Astros roll dice

It would seem Houston got trapped trying to ensure it would get compensation for free-agent second baseman Mark Loretta, prompting the Astros to offer arbitration. But Loretta accepted the offer.

Now the Astros are gambling again. They filed a $2.75 million arbitration figure, which is $750,000 less than they paid Loretta last year. Loretta is seeking $4.9 million - a $2.15 million difference.

Of the 48 players who exchanged salary proposals with teams in arbitration this year, Loretta is the only player offered a pay cut.

Overheard

* One-time Toronto phenom Eric Hinske could sign with Arizona as insurance in case third baseman Chad Tracy doesn't meet his ambitious schedule of returning by Opening Day. Tracy underwent microfracture surgery on his right knee last season. Tracy's rehab was slowed in November when he developed blood clots.

* Right-hander Bartolo Colon's market is shrinking. After watching him throw in the Dominican, Cleveland backed off. The Mets also are concerned about Colon's health. He was diagnosed with a torn rotator cuff in 2006 but opted to rehab and skip surgery. Kansas City and the White Sox are believed to still have interest.

* Right-hander Livan Hernandez, who is a workhorse, is close to a deal with the Mets, where he will be reunited with brother Orlando Hernandez.

Readers' turn

Robbie Doty wonders, "Why hasn't Garrett Atkins' name come up in discussions about the Rockies extending long-term contracts?"

Robbie, Atkins was approached a year ago about the possibility of a multiyear deal and wasn't interested. At this point, it appears the Rockies are looking into the possibility with other players to see their interest. Signing a player to a multiyear deal is not a one-sided event. The player has to buy into the idea. The team provides the long-term financial security, which is its risk.

In return, the player realizes that he won't make as much money as if he were to go year to year and get maximum market value, which is his risk.

For responses to other questions, or to ask questions of your own, check out the Rockies Inbox at RockyMountain News.com/sports.

Two cents' worth

Here's what's puzzling about arbitration. Ryan Howard made $900,000 last year. The Phillies are offering him $7 million, and there is concern they need to reach a settlement so Howard, who is seeking $10 million, doesn't get upset.

Let's get this straight. The guy loses and gets a $6.1 million raise, and there is concern that he might be mad about it? What a system.

ringolsbyt@RockyMountainNews.com

NUMBERS GAME

63wins for the Cubs in their final 99 games last season, which they hope is a sign they will be much better this season than the season- ending 85-77 record that won the National League Central in 2007.

AILING ATHLETICS

Oakland has its annual health concerns about right-handed pitcher Rich Harden and shortstop Bobby Crosby. This year, however, the Athletics also have concerns about right-handers Chad Gaudin and Justin Duchscherer, both coming off hip surgery; third baseman Eric Chavez, who underwent postseason surgery on both shoulders and his lower back; outfielder Travis Buck, who had bone chips removed from his right elbow in September; and closer Huston Street, whose 2007 season was punctuated with arm problems.

HE SAID IT

"This is the perfect place for me. I love the city, the club and the people. I like what we're doing and the direction we're taking. I had a chance (three years ago) to explore other opportunities, and I'm glad it didn't work out. Money's not really an issue. If I'm doing this job, I think this is the best place for me to be doing it."

Kevin Towers, 46, Padres general manager, who with 15 years on the job, is senior among current GMs and has agreed to a two-year contract extension.

MILE HIGH WATCH

* Rockies third baseman Garrett Atkins figures to be one of the biggest winners in arbitration this year.

Atkins, who made $400,000 in 2007, filed for $4.65 million. The Rockies have offered him $4,125,000.

The spread between what Atkins is seeking and what he made last year is the fourth largest of all arbitration cases, according to BizofBaseball.com. Atkins trails Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard ($900,000 last year; seeking $10 million), Angels right-hander Francisco Rodriguez ($7.1 million last year; seeking $12.5 million) and Orioles left-hander Erik Bedard ($3,425,000 last year; seeking $8 million).

And the spread between what Atkins made last year and what the Rockies have offered is the second highest, trailing only Howard (offered $7 million).

Right-hander Chien-Ming Wang had the third-highest gap between his salary last year ($489,500) and what the Yankees have offered ($4 million), and Rockies right fielder Brad Hawpe is fourth after making $403,000 and being offered $3,575,000.

Rockies left-handed reliever Brian Fuentes filed for $6.5 million, matching the fifth-highest request. Mets left-hander Oliver Perez also is seeking $6.5 million.

Angels closer Rodriguez is seeking the largest salary, $12.5 million, followed by Howard, Bedard and Indians third baseman Casey Blake at $6.9 million.

* Nine of the Rockies' top 30 prospects, according to Baseball America, were foreign signees, the third-highest total in baseball.

Only Seattle (11) and the Mets (10) had more. Florida is the only organization that did not have a foreign signee among its top 30.

Twelve of the Rockies' top 30 prospects were college draft picks. (The average for college players was 11 per team.) The Rockies' list also included six high school draftees, two junior-college players and one player who was an undrafted free agent (right-handed reliever Ryan Speier).

The Rockies, Milwaukee, Dodgers and Seattle were the only teams that originally signed all 30 players on their prospect lists.

• January 25, 2008

  10:44 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  queenjacyln writes:

  Just because Atkins wasn't interested in a long term deal a year ago doesn't mean he's not interested in one now. A lot has changed for the Rockies in a year. And Holliday said specifically he's like to see Atkins signed long term at least makes the question valid. Are the Rockies looking to sign Atkins long term again?