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Meet the new Rockies

By Jack Etkin, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published November 10, 2008 at 7:35 p.m.

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A look at who the Rockies will get assumed the trade of outfielder Matt Holliday to the Oakland A's becomes official.

CARLOS GONZALEZ

Position: Outfielder.

Age: 23 (born Oct. 17, 1985).

Contract status: Will be eligible for arbitration after the 2011 season and can be controlled for six years by the Rockies before he's eligible for free agency.

What he could mean to the Rockies: Assuming they trade center fielder Willy Taveras, the left-handed-hitting Gonzalez could play center or left field next season along with Ryan Spilborghs, a right-handed hitter, and left-handed-hitting Seth Smith.

'08 recap: Gonzalez, who, like Smith, was acquired from Arizona in the December deal that sent pitcher Dan Haren to the Diamondbacks, hit .242 with four homers and 26 RBI in 85 games for the A's, striking out 81 times in 302 at-bats. In 46 games at Triple-A Sacramento, Gonzalez hit .283 with four homers and 28 RBI. Gonzalez began playing winter ball one week ago for Zuila in his native Venezuela and is 6-for-16 with four RBI in five games.

What the scouts say: An American League scout gushed, "Gonzalez is going to be a stud," citing his ability to play center field because he can "go and get the ball" and can throw. Another scout cited Gonzalez as a potential five-tool player who just needs to play more and was surprised the A's traded him. A different opinion came from a National League scout who said, "He's got a lot of tools, but I don't care for him." The reason? Though Gonzalez can hit, throw and can play center field, he didn't show up to play all the time. However, the scout conceded that simply might be a youthful mistake Gonzalez will outgrow. Still another NL scout termed Gonzalez more of a line-drive hitter than a power hitter.

Notable: Was ranked top prospect for 2008 in Arizona organization by Baseball America and top prospect for 2008 in Oakland’s organization after trade to A’s on Dec. 14, 2007.

GREG SMITH

Position: Left-handed pitcher.

Age: 24 (born: Dec. 22, 1983).

Contract status: Will be eligible for arbitration after the 2010 season and can be controlled for five years by the Rockies before he's eligible for free agency.

What he could mean to the Rockies: Smith has more of a track record than Rockies left-hander Franklin Morales — although nowhere near Morales' upside — and right-handers Jason Hirsh and Greg Reynolds, who also are candidates at this point to fill out the Rockies rotation along with right-handers Aaron Cook and Ubaldo Jimenez and left-handers Jeff Francis and Jorge De La Rosa.

'08 recap: Smith made 32 starts for the A's, going 7-16 with a 4.16 ERA despite a decent ratio of hits (169) to innings pitched (190 1/3). He issued 87 walks to go with 111 strikeouts.

What the scouts say: They see Smith as a fourth starter and praise him for his mound composure, his feel for pitching and intangible assets like being able to hold runners and field his position. Smith is a soft-tossing lefty, with an 85-88 mph fastball but a knack for changing speeds. He must locate well to be effective, because his stuff is decent but not tremendous. One scout said how good Smith's command gets will determine whether "he's a back-of-the-rotation guy or a littler better."

Notable: The A's acquired Smith from Arizona in the deal last December that sent pitcher Dan Haren to the Diamondbacks.

HUSTON STREET

Position: Right-handed reliever.

Age: 25 (Born Aug. 2, 1983).

Contract status: Eligible for free agency after 2010 season. Made $3.3 million last season and is eligible for arbitration for the second time this winter.

What he could mean to the Rockies: Although he lost the closer's job with Oakland last season, Street has 94 career saves, including 18 last year. With closer Brian Fuentes set to leave as a free agent, Street provides insurance if Manuel Corpas struggles after moving back to the closer's role. The Rockies also might consider trading Street to a team like Detroit or Cleveland that is seeking a closer.

'08 recap: Street appeared in 63 games with Oakland last season recording 18 saves to go along with a 7-5 record and 3.73 ERA. He was also credited with seven blown saves.

What the scouts say: Street might be a better set-up man than closer at this point, but scouts love his take-the-ball-every day mentality. “He’s a warrior,” an American League scout said. Street had arm problems in 2007 and dealt with a groin injury this year, all of which have taken a toll on his stuff. Street’s fastball has dropped to the low 90s or high 80s mph, but scouts say he cuts and sinks it. And while his slider has lost velocity, Street developed an effective changeup this year, a pitch that has enhanced his fastball and has given him a swing-and-miss weapon against left-handed hitters.

Notable: In his four seasons with the A’s, Street has held opposing hitters to a .274 on-base percentage, a mark raised by a career-worst .303 this year.

Comments

  • November 10, 2008

    8:12 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    jman4life11 writes:

    You can't spell the Rockies without P-R-O-S-P-E-C-T-S!!

    Todd and the Toodlers part 2. R U READY?!!

  • November 10, 2008

    10:21 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    deezBroncs1127 writes:

    Holliday will be missed...Can't believe we gave away and YES I said GAVE AWAY Holliday for pieces. Hollidays numbers are worth getting a key player or pitcher back in return. Back to the rookie drafting board to find another diamond in the rough.

    We will miss you Holliday

  • November 11, 2008

    10:37 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Yourmom42 writes:

    Hey, we shouldn't be so down on Smith, he would have had the second-best WHIP on the team (1.35, 0.01 higher than Cook) last year. Win-Loss only matters as a comparison tool given equal run support. The A's stunk it up last year, to wit: they had the LOWEST team BA in the majors (.242) and were 27th in Runs For (646).
    Gonzalez projects very high, and street has been an All-Star, so I see Win-Win here.

  • November 11, 2008

    1 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    flybys writes:

    Nice effort, Tracy. I enjoyed reading your work. Only quibble I have is that of Greg Smith, his hits to innings pitched ratio is definitely quality.

    I agree though that his strikeouts to innings pitched ratio and strikeouts to walks rate is not only not impressive, it's not good. I also think he shows how fine a line Smith will have to walk, unless he shows improvement, not to get battered.

    The Rockies picked up some potential and definitely higher quality than the normal scrap heap additions for the rotation but the A's got a whole lot more quality than Colorado.

    Colorado, if they had to trade Holliday, needed to score on a package deal in return. Everyone, even without a baseball background, knew that. Regardless of any excuses given, the Rockies flat out failed.

    And everyone who is objective has to admit such.

    Not that we see how little Holliday was worth to the Rockies I'm sure we'll see Garrett Atkins sold for a donut and a cup of coffee and Willy Taveras will earn a smile in return.