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RINGOLSBY: Holliday this year's Teixeira?

By Tracy Ringolsby, Rocky Mountain News

Published May 15, 2008 at 4:45 p.m.

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Rockies left fielder Matt Holliday got a two-year, $23 million deal in January, but the team could decide to shop him.

Photo by Barry Gutierrez / The Rocky

Rockies left fielder Matt Holliday got a two-year, $23 million deal in January, but the team could decide to shop him.

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The longer the Rockies struggle on the field, the sooner management is going to have to deal with the future of Matt Holliday, among others.

Holliday could become this year's Mark Teixeira, dealt at midseason a year ago by Texas to Atlanta, which was willing to give up five prospects because Teixeira had another full year of service before becoming a free agent.

Not only is Holliday in that same situation but, like Teixeira, he is represented by agent Scott Boras. Boras' reputation (which he will say isn't fair) is that he would rather take a player on the free-agent market to get the maximum dollars than sign a multiyear deal with the possibility of leaving money on the table.

The Rockies took what they hoped would be a first step toward opening talks with Holliday about a long-term deal when he was signed for two years and $23 million in January, covering his final two seasons before being eligible for free agency.

No progress has been made in working out an extension, although the Rockies would seem inclined to make a strong pitch to Holliday before deciding to move him.

The Rockies have indicated they are looking at something in the five-year, $90 million range, but Boras has sent out feelers that he is looking for something closer to the eight-year, $153 million deal Miguel Cabrera received this spring from Detroit.

Teixeira turned down an eight-year, $140 million offer from Texas before he was dealt last summer.

The Rockies could test the market for Holliday before the July 31 deadline for trades without waivers, and if they don't get what they want, they could revisit the market in the offseason.

A key for the Rockies is that not only does a team such as Cleveland, which has depth in its farm system, need a middle-of-the-lineup bat, but so do the Yankees. The Rockies would have a chance to get Boston involved in talks, too, if the Red Sox decide they would rather invest in a younger Holliday than exercise the $20 million options they hold on Manny Ramirez for the next two years. There is no buyout for Ramirez's options.

In addition to Holliday, the Rockies figure to check out the market for left-handed closer Brian Fuentes, a free agent after this season, and third baseman Garrett Atkins, who isn't free-agent eligible until after the 2010 season.

Atkins raised eyebrows in the offseason when he was critical of the four-year contract pitcher Jeff Francis signed a year ago.

The Rockies would have flexibility in what they seek in return because of the presence of third baseman Ian Stewart, who could move to left field, and Seth Smith, both a part of last season's September drive.

Infield chatter

* Milwaukee owner Mark Attanasio has said that payroll flexibility is there if general manager Doug Melvin wants to add a starting pitcher to make up for the loss of Yovani Gallardo, who underwent knee surgery.

* The Mets are optimistic about right-hander Pedro Martinez's rehabilitation assignment and are talking about having him back in the rotation by early June.

* Indications in Philadelphia are that signing closer Brad Lidge to an extension is a priority. While the Phillies would also like to retain left fielder Pat Burrell, they figure it's easier to attract a bat to play in their hitter-friendly ballpark than a legitimate late-inning reliever.

The rotation

Interleague play was adopted in 1997, but it was discussed long before that. Major efforts:

* 1933: William Veeck Sr. of the Cubs, noting a 40 percent decline in attendance during the Depression, suggested interleague play from July 5 through mid-August. Veeck died in October and the subject was pushed aside.

* 1953: Bill Veeck, looking for a way to save his St. Louis Browns, proposed interleague play involving four games against each of the eight teams in the other league. The AL owners not only rejected that idea but also denied Veeck's proposal to move the Browns to Baltimore, which was approved as soon as he sold the team.

* 1959: The AL approved interleague play with the idea that Calvin Griffith would move the Senators to Minnesota but was concerned about political repercussions and suggested a one-team expansion in each league - Minnesota in the AL and a New York franchise in the NL.

* 1962: Commissioner Ford Frick suggested a 157-game schedule that would provide four games against each team in the other league and 13 against each team in the same league, but the NL rejected the idea.

* 1975: The AL proposed an interleague plan to settle an antitrust suit arising from the Seattle Pilots' move to Milwaukee, which would have allowed the AL to add a team in Seattle, but the NL declined to add a 13th team.

Lee turnaround

OK, Cleveland left-hander Cliff Lee got the message. Struggling last year - 5-8 with a 6.29 ERA - he spent the second half of the season in Triple-A. He seems intent on avoiding a return trip. Lee goes into his Sunday start with an 0.67 ERA, the third lowest ever for a pitcher after seven starts, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

Fernando Valenzuela had an 0.29 ERA for the Dodgers in 1981 and a year before that, Mike Norris had an 0.45 ERA in Oakland. What's more, Lee is 6-0 in seven starts, and it's not his fault he had a no-decision. He pitched nine shutout innings Monday in a game the Indians lost 3-0 to Toronto in the 10th.

Closing statement

Don't think interleague play has an impact on the pennant races?

Since 2000, only three of 32 AL postseason teams had a losing record in interleague play: Oakland (8-10) in 2006, the Angels (7-11) in 2004 and Cleveland (7-11) in 2001. AL playoff teams since 2000 are 355-220 in interleague play.

Twenty-one of the 32 NL playoff teams have had a winning record, and NL playoff teams were a combined 272-232.

MILE HIGH WATCH

* Ten players originally signed by the Rockies are listed on the All-Star ballot.

Six represent the Rockies - first baseman Todd Helton, second baseman Jayson Nix (now at Triple-A Colorado Springs), shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, third baseman Garrett Atkins, left fielder Matt Holliday and right fielder Brad Hawpe.

Four others were nominated by their current teams - second baseman Juan Uribe of the White Sox, third baseman Chone Figgins of the Angels, catcher Josh Bard of the Padres and left fielder Juan Pierre of the Dodgers.

Washington and Oakland have a major league-leading 13 players they originally signed on the ballots. At the bottom of the list are Baltimore and San Francisco, with three apiece. While the Orioles trio includes outfielders Nick Markakis and Dave Dellucci and second baseman Brian Roberts, the three Giants are catcher Yorvit Torrealba, third baseman Pedro Feliz and first baseman Dan Ortmeier.

* Left-hander Glendon Rusch, released by San Diego, remains of interest to the Rockies, who see him as a long-relief candidate. The Rockies were among teams who talked with Rusch during the offseason.

* Former Rockies prospect Scott Doh- mann was placed on waivers by Tampa Bay, which plans to send him to Triple-A Durham (N.C.) if he is not claimed.

* Funny how Boston keeps trying to unload Julian Tavarez, but the national media create the impression the Rockies are in serious pursuit. How serious?

Well, the Rockies said they might have interest if the Red Sox eat the salary and don't expect a prospect in return.

NUMBERS GAME

0.93 ERA for Boston setup man Hideki Okajima, but the more telling statistics are he has blown four of five save situations, has allowed 11 of 14 inherited runners to score and failed to retire seven of the 18 first batters he has faced.

SUNNY DAYS IN FLORIDA

The Florida Marlins and Tampa Bay Rays have been in first place since Wednesday morning, the second time that has happened, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

The previous time was on April 9, 2004. Tampa Bay has been above .500 for 21 consecutive days, a franchise record. The previous high was 15 in a row in 1998.

HE SAID IT

"I don't overpower people. I feel like any other pitcher out there and at 44, I enjoy battling, but at times I have to do it a lot more and it becomes a little more frustrating."

Randy Johnson, Arizona left-hander, who on Tuesday earned career victory No. 287, seventh most for a left-hander and one behind Tommy John.

Comments

  • May 16, 2008

    12:12 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    flybys writes:

    Any word that the Rockies might actually trade Matt Holliday is reactionary to the team's poor start.

    Would Colorado listen to an attractive trade offer, and bite on one? Of course. But the organization is going to find it is not going to get the quality in return it desires and feels it deserves because the rest of baseball still believes that Denver grossly distorts offensive numbers. The Rockies will not deal Holliday during the season for less than what they deem fair market value.

    Holliday might not be Manny Ramirez as a batsman but he is load at the plate and Colorado feels the cost for such a talent means front-line pitching and prospects.

    As for Garret Atkins getting dealt, Dan O'Dowd should be immediately fired if he's so forgetful as to remember the franchise dumping Vinny Castilla when the Mexican legend was still a high-quality hitter. Ian Stewart, it is becoming obvious, is not the answer.

    Brian Fuentes could be moved because of his track record and because he's a proven lefthanded reliever. But the Rockies will have to sell high with him as his rep has taken some hits in the last year.

  • May 16, 2008

    11:04 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    MADness writes:

    'Ian Stewart, it is becoming obvious, is not the answer.'

    Stewart is a plus defender at a premium defensive position (3rd) so putting him in left would be the result of the need for a power bat in left, not the result of needing a position for him to play.

    Atkins would not be 'dumped,' but would be moved only for a strong package of prospects and/or players. Even the absoultely worst managed teams in MLB would not get rid of a team controlled and affordable player as productive as he is unless the return was significant. Worst case scenario they hold onto him until he is a free agent and let him leave and take the compensatory pick. They aren't going to just cut him loose.

  • May 16, 2008

    11:39 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    athought writes:

    The Rox shouldn't be penalized by the fans for not resigning Holiday if he turns down Texeria money this summer. Holiday's performance has been slumping early with the season but I'm hoping that he can turn it around. The team just has to get some run support for the bullpen which isn't as good this year. Many of the games in the loss column have been by 1 or 2 runs.
    If Holiday goes on the trading wire, what do they stock up on? You hate to waste it on middle relievers but that's really what the team needs. Do they trade him to Houston and get Matsui with a couple of pitching prospects? I personally like that one as I do find our infield lacking without him.

  • May 16, 2008

    8:04 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    SteveC writes:

    5 years $90,000,000 isn't enough to play baseball? No wonder I hate baseball. What a bunch of overpriced greedy b@stards.

  • May 16, 2008

    9:18 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    FreeToChoose writes:

    Hey Yella... it's precisely because Atkins and Holliday are so good that we would get good players in return!

    And Holliday is as good as gone, whether it's at the end of next season or it's in a trade before then because there's NO WAY a Boras client who can boast the fattest numbers of any outfielder under the age of thirty in baseball today will sign for much less than Cabrera numbers (8 years, $153 million). He might not get quite THAT much, but that's what it's going to take and there's no way the Rockies will pony up. And they shouldn't! If they're 15-18 games back in July, they should bite the public relations bullet and trade him... Atkins too. HIS stock will NEVER be higher in a trade.