Rockies report: Fuentes might be dealt if price is right

By Tracy Ringolsby, Rocky Mountain News

Published July 30, 2008 at 6:34 p.m.

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David Zalubowski © AP

The Rockies are continuing to listen to offers for closer Brian Fuentes, above, and indications are Colorado would trade him if they can acquire a top-quality prospect in return.

With the deadline for trades without waivers at 2 p.m. MDT today, the Rockies were listening to one last salvo of trade proposals from at least a handful of teams that remain interested in left-handed closer Brian Fuentes.

Indications are that if the Rockies can get what they want, a top-quality prospect who can step into the rotation right now, Fuentes would be dealt. St. Louis, the Mets, Boston, the White Sox and Phillies are among teams in the hunt.

LOOKING

Cincinnati right-hander Josh Fogg might be the addition the Rockies settle for in their search for help with the rotation.

They have continued to eye other alternatives, but when they've made inquiries for higher-profile starters, they've been left cold by what other teams want.

Oakland is asking for a package that "starts with" center fielder Dexter Fowler and third baseman Ian Stewart for right-hander Justin Duchscherer; Seattle wants Fowler and right-hander Casey Weathers for left-hander Jarrod Washburn while declining to pick up any of the salary that includes $10.35 million for next year; and Washington is putting a price tag of right fielder Brad Hawpe on right-hander Tim Redding.

SIGNED UP

Outfielder Delta Cleary, the Rockies' 37th round draft choice out of Eunice (La.) Junior College, and second baseman Jimmy Cesario, their 46th round draft choice out of Houston, have agreed to terms.

Cleary also was a football and basketball standout at Jonesboro High. The 6-foot-3, 175-pound switch-hitter helped Eunice to the Division II Junior College World Series title. Cesario, who will play a number of positions at Rookie Casper, made an impression with the way he adjusted to a wood bat in the Cape Cod League, where, at the time of his signing, he was leading the league with a .387 average and 30 RBI.

ETC.

Clint Barmes made his first big- league start in right field Wednesday, giving Brad Hawpe, a left- handed hitter, a night off with left-hander Zach Duke starting for the Pirates. Manager Clint Hurdle said he plans to use Barmes in the outfield as well as at second, third and short to make sure he stays involved. . . . Center fielder Willy Ta- veras added stolen base No. 48 on Wednesday, putting him second on the Rockies' single-season charts. Eric Young set the franchise record with 53 stolen bases in 1996. . . . Right-hander Zach McClellan, who went 1-0 with a 5.79 ERA in 12 relief appearances for the Rockies last season, was sent to short-season Tri-City on a rehabilitation assignment. He underwent offseason surgery for a torn labrum in his right shoulder that has sidelined him since May 2007.

• July 30, 2008

  11:44 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  1somelikeithot writes:

  Fowler, Stewart and Weathers?? Wow, would O'dowd consider giving up the Rockies future? I don't see how he could. Seattle is really trying to stick it to teams who might try to trade for Washburn and Bedard. They are being unrealistic. I can understand Billy Beane because he LOVES prospects. The M's are just doing salary dumps. I just hope O'dowd doesn't do something stupid. Trade Fuentes, but not our future.

• July 31, 2008

  6:17 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  Hambone writes:

  Fowler, Weathers and Stewart are the packages for third-rate pitchers? Uhhhh, NO!!!! Especially if Seattle won't pick up any of the tab for Washburn. Weathers will be our set up man next year. Dude has nasty stuff. Fowler may be expendable but not for some saladtossing pitcher with a losing record.

  Would Greg Maddux consider Colorado? He would be a good fit.

• July 31, 2008

  8:51 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  fastnloose writes:

  Don't trade Fuentes until we have a legit closer in the house.

• July 31, 2008

  9:52 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  P_Denver writes:

  In the long run, it doesn't matter. Last year was a fluke. Even a mediocre team can get hot when everyone else runs cold. That's how the Rockies ended up in the series. It won't happen again this year.

  This may be one of the few times (the first?) in history when a sub-500 team takes a division (the NL Worst).

  Whoever it is won't last long against the rest of the league.

• July 31, 2008

  10:40 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  wilburM writes:

  I'd do Hawpe for Redding and a live-armed or LH relief pitching prospect. It would take about 15 minutes to do that deal.

  Rocks are loaded with corner guys. They're not loaded with young, rotation-ready starters with upside. Good trade for both teams.

• July 31, 2008

  10:45 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  arvada_mark writes:

  First of all, P_Denver, last year, the Rox didn't get hot while everyone else was cold. You are dead wrong. Give our boys the respect they deserve. What they did last year was flat out great. It has never been done before, & may very well never be done again. Now, while the Rox were busy winning 13 of 14 (or whatever it was) to close, the Padres & the D-Backs both won something like 10 of 14. We won an awful lot of games while only making up 3 or 4 in the standings.

  Now, in regards to the trade offers, these clubs are doing exactly what O'Dowd has been doing to other clubs...asking for something very unrealistic. I mean, the As would have much a better shot of getting Willie T. over Dexter. And Jarrod Washburn? This guy had an amazing rookie year, he even took a roster spot from his brother for the Angels, but he has been very average since. And average is giving him the benefit of doubt. Stewy for Duchscherer may be fair, but teams like to hide their failures in multi-player deals. Straight up deals leave GMs open to criticism since the results are so obvious. I wouldn't mind at all seeing the Dragon Slayer back here. While we're at it, go get Kaz. We'll have a party.

  Come on O'Dowd, we still have a chance.

• July 31, 2008

  10:58 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  NorCalGuy writes:

  Don't ever make a trade with the Oakland A's (Billy Beane) when you need to and they don't, you'll get screwed. Under the category of washed up you'll see the names of Justin Duchsherer and Jarrod Washburn. The Duke is lucky to be having this kind of year as a starter but by year's end it won't seem so good. He is frequently injured, ditto with Jarrod (Overpaid) Washburn. Why does everyone think the Rockies need to make trades? They have a very good, young team and some good minor leaguers. I live in Sacramento and they're one of my favorite teams, along with the A's and Braves. Our family visited Colorado the beginning of this month and had a fantastic time at Coors Field and in the Denver and Front Range areas. My son's high school baseball coach played with Garret Atkins, Nick Punto, Gerald Laird and other major leaguers. He also coached Ian Stewart, Ian Kennedy (NY Yankees) and others currently in the minors. Extend Atkins and Fuentes and lock up the other young guys while you can, make trades when it makes sense and stay patient and calm. I mean geez, Holiday, Spillborghs, Hawpe, Atkins, Tulo, Jeff Baker, Atkins, Ianetta, Stewart, Seth Davis, Koshansky, etc. I think the organization (Dan O'Dowd and staff) are doing a great job. The Rockies are a fun team to watch and play at a great venue. The A's may be getting somewhat better and younger, but their (Beane's) incessant trading creates a lack of chemistry, and lack of continuity. They don't always make great deals it's why they're still trying to get rid of Mark Ellis, Eric Chavez (borderline over the hill) and Bobby Crosby, three of their highest paid players, none of which is playing particularly well or are really healthy. They'd also love to get rid of Huston Street, while he's still got trade value and before he blows too many more saves. This year might not be like last but don't panic, the Rocks will bounce back.

• July 31, 2008

  12:17 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  LarryDean writes:

  Why is it that when the Rockies get a very good pitcher, that the Rockies need, that they lose them. Is the management so tangled up that they can not see their nose in front of their face. I understand the Rockies are a poor team but Brian Fuentes is a Pitcher that can stay with this club for a long time and have some very good years for us. Having said this when the Rockies do trade Fuentes I hope we get at least some players that can start when needed and not have to wait for them to mature.
  Thanks Brian and good luck where ever you end up!!!!

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