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Holliday makes new offseason home

Outfielder leaves Denver to spend time in California

By Tracy Ringolsby, Rocky Mountain News

Published November 3, 2008 at 9:59 p.m.

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Rockies left fielder Matt Holliday is spending the offseason near the Newport Beach, Calif., offices of his agent, Scott Boras.

Photo by Matt McClain © The Rocky

Rockies left fielder Matt Holliday is spending the offseason near the Newport Beach, Calif., offices of his agent, Scott Boras.

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When the season ended, and with his future in question, Rockies outfielder Matt Holliday decided to get away from the Denver scene for the offseason.

Holliday and his family are living near the Newport Beach, Calif., offices of his agent, Scott Boras, in a move Boras said is no reflection on Holliday's expectations of being dealt by the Rockies. Instead, it's designed to make it easier for Holliday to work out at the Scott Boras Sports Training Institute.

But Holliday is believed to be looking to sell the Denver-area home he purchased for nearly $5 million less than two years ago, although Boras could not confirm that.

Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd said the decision is not a factor in the Rockies' plans.

"What each player does of a personal nature is their option," O'Dowd said. "Matt is very serious about staying in shape. That won't change."

With Holliday a year from being eligible for free agency, and in the spring rejecting a four-year, $82 million extension to his contract, which goes through the 2009 season, the Rockies are looking to deal him, along with third baseman Garrett Atkins and outfielder Willy Taveras, this offseason.

"We haven't had any more talks (since spring training) with Dan or the owners," Boras said. "What I do know, though, is Matt is a franchise player, and we know what the marketplace holds for a franchise player."

A factor in the Rockies' decision making is Boras' reputation for preferring to take players on the free-agent market to drive up the contract offers instead of re-signing the player before he sees what is available on the open market.

"He is a very established player in the community," Boras said. "Matt likes Denver, and his family likes living there."

Holliday was among the players upset the Rockies fired conditioning coach Brad Andress in their postseason shake-up of the coaching staff.

Boras said he has "seven or eight" clients who live during the offseason in the Newport Beach area to take advantage of the Sports Institute, which is run by former White Sox strength and conditioning coach Steve Odgers.

"At times, we have 30 to 40 clients working out at the facility," Boras said.

But there is a feeling among his teammates that Holliday is ready to make the next move in his career. He was uncomfortable with growing talk about his contract situation during the summer and knows if he returns in 2009, there will be constant speculation.

Among teams showing the most interest are Washington, Tampa Bay, St. Louis and the New York Mets.

The Yankees, Boston and Angels also have been mentioned, but the Yankees' No. 1 focus is adding a pitcher.

The Angels are more interested in Atkins, two years from free agency. Boston would seem a long shot in light of the July 31 acquisition of Jason Bay in the trade that sent Manny Ramirez to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Bay is guaranteed $7.5 million in 2009, $6 million less than Holliday.

FUENTES WATCH: Mets general manager Omar Minaya plans to meet today with the agents for Rockies closer Brian Fuentes, among six Rockies to file for free agency. The Rockies made it clear at the end of the season they would offer Fuentes arbitration but expected to lose him to a team that will give him a three- year deal in excess of $36 million.

Cleveland and the Angels are considered the most likely teams to sign Fuentes, although the Mets, St. Louis and Boston also have contacted his agents.

Left-handed pitcher Glendon Rusch became the latest Rockies player to file for free agency Monday. Earlier, Fuentes, right- handed pitchers Matt Herges and Livan Hernandez, outfielder Scott Podsednik and catcher Adam Melhuse filed.

YOUNG HONORED: Rockies infield prospect Eric Young Jr. was selected co-player of the week in the Arizona Fall League. Young hit two grand slams, including one inside the park, for the Phoenix Desert Dogs during the week.

Young, whose father was the Rockies' original second baseman, leads the AFL with 14 stolen bases, 31 hits and 28 runs. He is fifth in the league with a .431 average. Young shared the award with Logan Morrison, a Florida prospect playing for the Mesa Solar Sox who hit .545.

Comments

  • November 4, 2008

    10:24 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    1somelikeithot writes:

    I didn't know Scott Boras had a Sports Training Institute. But, it does make sense.

  • November 4, 2008

    11:22 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    arvada_mark writes:

    I would love to see GA (G. Atkins) & B-Fuent go to the Angels (both California boys). They were my team before we got the Rox & I still follow them pretty close. I wouldn't count them out of the Holliday sweeps just yet either. Their outfield is old, very old. Vlad is a shadow of his former self, the original GA (G. Anderson) is out, Torii is great but is losing a step, & Gary Matthews, Jr. is not even close to as good as what he is being paid. And they have great owners there...they are willing to pay top dollar for top talent...you know, whatever it takes. Oh, what it must be like to have owners that actually want to win.

    And if EY, Jr. doesn't slow down, he's going to find himself in a big league uniform soon. And when he gets there, he's going to nab 100 bases in a single season. And he's hitting with power now? Hopefully he'll get a shot in Tulsa this year where he'll see a lot better talent.

  • November 4, 2008

    3:48 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Squatch writes:

    As soon as EY JR makes the bigs he better think of what team he wants to play for once his contact expires since the Rockies like to develop talent for the rest of the league.

  • November 5, 2008

    6:22 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    LockeRobster writes:

    Atkins to the Angels for Saunders or Santana plus Kendrick. Or to the White Sox for Danks or Floyd plus a prospect. Both of those teams need help at 3B, and the Angels really need help with their offense.

    Holliday to the Rays for Shields and Crawford.

    I didn't realize Holliday had turned down an extension for four years and $82 million, plus the fact that he's going to get like $13 million this coming season already. That's five years and $95 million ($19 million per year). What is he after?!?