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Twins' Cuddyer on Rockies' radar

By Tracy Ringolsby, Rocky Mountain News

Published November 6, 2008 at 7:06 p.m.
Updated November 6, 2008 at 7:15 p.m.

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An intriguing name to watch in any Rockies talks about sending third baseman Garrett Atkins to Minnesota is outfielder Michael Cuddyer, who missed 2 1/2 months last season because of a strained tendon in his left index finger and has fallen into a backup role because of the emergence of young Twins outfielders.

The Rockies are looking to add a quality starter in the offseason, and the Twins could offer the likes of Nick Blackburn or Kevin Slowey. But the Rockies also would like to add a right-handed, run-producing hitter in a multiple-player package, which is where Cuddyer, a strong clubhouse presence, would fit.

The Twins have rebuilt their outfield with Delmon Young in left, Carlos Gomez in center and Denard Span in right.

YOUNG DOING HOMEWORK

Second baseman Eric Young Jr., playing for the Phoenix Desert Dogs in the Arizona Fall League, is getting playing time in center field to "create more value to his role," Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd said.

Young also has gotten some time in left field, but his offensive abilities and speed are a better fit in center field, though he does need to strengthen his arm. Young is hitting .422 with 18 stolen bases in 19 attempts.

McKENRY, LINDSAY PRODUCING

Desert Dogs catcher Michael McKenry leads the AFL in home runs, with seven, including three in one game last week, and is tied for fifth in RBI, with five. And he is hitting .364. Shortstop Chris Nelson is showing offensive life, hitting .360. Shane Lindsay is 2-1 with a 3.14 ERA in five appearances, including two starts, but Chaz Roe is struggling. He is 1-2 with an 11.93 ERA in five starts and has walked 13 in 14 1/3 innings.

MORALES WATCH

Left-hander Franklin Morales is 1-1 with a 2.65 ERA in four starts for Caracas in the Venezuelan winter league, but there are lingering concerns about his ability to throw strikes. Juan Morillo has given up two runs in 2 2/3 innings, walking three, in four appearances in his native Dominican Republic.

Comments

  • November 6, 2008

    11:04 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    1somelikeithot writes:

    I like Cuddyer, he's a decent fielder.

  • November 7, 2008

    3:33 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    wiscbum writes:

    I still don't get why the Rox are so insistent on trading Atkins? At 5.5 million or so for next year, he's a bargain and won't be a free agent until 2010. Bring him back, throw Stewart in the OF and make a run for next year.

    If the Rox are still struggling after the All Star break, trade him then.... trading him before the season is idiotic... you listening Rox management?

    Go ROCKIES!

  • November 7, 2008

    11:37 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    arvada_mark writes:

    I don't know much about Slowey, but Blackburn is the exact type of guy the Rox like to have on thier roster. He's nothing special, beyond the fact that he is a major league pitcher, but that also means he will never command a very large salary. So Blackburn may have some staying power with us. I'd still rather see GA go to the Angels, though (they were my favorite team before we got the Rox).
    Also, I don't think we, as loyal fans of maybe one of the 5 worst teams in baseball this past year, deserve to have ticket prices raised on us again. Especially if they are going to offer us an inferior product (no GA, no Holliday, no Willie T.).

  • November 7, 2008

    11:38 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    arvada_mark writes:

    Oh, no B-Fuent either.

  • November 7, 2008

    4:04 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    LockeRobster writes:

    They need to try to bring back Affeldt, I think. Losing him last year was a bigger deal, to me, than letting Fogg go.

    Also, Cuddyer was an all-state shortstop in Virginia in high school (I was stationed there in the Navy at that time), and I think he might have the wheels still to play 2B. It would be worth taking a crack at it over the winter or in spring training if they happen to pick him up in a deal.

  • November 8, 2008

    8:54 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    ColoradoSportsFaninTexas writes:

    Solution to all Rockies woes....M BROTHERS AND O'DOWD NEED TO GO, MAYBE HURDLE AS WELL....

    Monforts are too darn cheap to bring a winner to Colorado....They would rather pocket the money instead of reinvesting it into the team...The M Brothers had to have made a pretty penny from the WS appearance, but yet they sit there and wont pay players what they are worth, and would rather let them go...If you doubt me, than why are we losing Holliday, and Fuentes, and perhaps Atkins...

    I know the M brothers got burnt a few years back from long term deals which didnt work out...In fact, they still are getting burned from the Helton contract..(Helton needs to just retire) Is he really going to be worth an average of 18 Mill a year for the next 3 years???

    But the past is the past...It doesnt mean it will happen again...I think they should still try to work a deal with Holliday, because it appears as if no other team is willing to trade a top flight pitcher, (the other teams are too da## cheap...)and if the Rox are not going to get equal value for him, then keep him and take your chances with the pitching you have...

    In my opinion, the Rox are close to being playoff contenders again...they just need a dominant #1 pitcher to put them over the top....Jimenez may be that guy, but there still are some questions about him....There are questions about Helton as well, so he needs to respond big time with a big year....Finally, the Rox will somehow need to replace Fuentes...Corpas may be the answer, but is still a question mark...

    So, its a lot to ask for, but the Rox need to keep Holliday, hope for big years from Jimenez and Helton, and pray that they can also find an answer for the loss of Fuentes.....

    If the Rox fall short again next year, then they need to clean house, starting at the top with the cheapskate M Brothers, and O'Dowd and probably Hurdle as well...the farm system is in place and is well respected, so the fault has to lie with ownership and management....Bring in an owner with deep pockets, and bring a winner to Colorado....

  • November 9, 2008

    4:33 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    warrengfunk7 writes:

    Helton is burnt, they Need Atkins to play 1B and Ian Stewart to play 3B. The Rockies don't need an OF'er, their top prospect is an outfielder (Dexter Fowler) and he's ready to make a run for rookie of the year. The Rockies have no need for an outfielder, they need a top of the rotation starting pitcher. That's all they need.