|
Rockies could be in market to trade Holliday
Matt Holliday led the Colorado Rockies to their first World Series last season, finishing second in the National League MVP balloting.
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
But Holliday, an All-Star left fielder, might not be in Colorado much longer if the Rockies do not revive soon.
The Rockies, 10 games back in the NL West, almost certainly would consider trading Holliday, knowing they stand little chance of keeping him long-term.
Holliday, 28, could be this year's Mark Teixeira — a Scott Boras client traded with a year-plus remaining on his contract by a team seeking value for a franchise-type player.
The Rockies signed Holliday to a two-year, $23 million deal in January, but could lose him as a free agent after the 2009 season and receive only draft picks in return.
After overcoming an 18-27 start last season, the Rockies will not give up on their season easily, not when they are 15-25 with essentially the same team.
Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, however, is out until the All-Star break with a leg injury, and the NL appears stronger than it was last season. The Rockies rank 13th in the league in runs and 15th in ERA.
Must-read:
- Whitlock: Limbaugh just like a jock
- Kriegel: Busch getting his revenge
- Vote for your favorite Yankee moment
Must-see:
Top headlines:
- Federer, Nadal into Wimbledon final
- Martin in at Hendrick; Mears out
- Hot dog eating contest goes to OT
Worth a thousand words:
Closer Brian Fuentes, who is eligible for free agency after this season, also could be a candidate to be traded if the Rockies fail to improve upon their early performance.
So could third baseman Garrett Atkins, though the Rockies probably would prefer to move Holliday, who is a year closer to free agency. Class AAA third baseman Ian Stewart could replace Holliday in left field, with Atkins remaining at third.
The Rangers received five highly regarded prospects for Teixeira and left-hander Ron Mahay last July. The Rockies, deep in prospects at Class AAA and AA, could seek a similar package, perhaps even taking chances on high-ceiling players at lower levels.
Holliday is one of the few Colorado cornerstones who is not signed long-term; Atkins is another. Last off-season, the Rockies reached multi-year agreements with Tulowitzki, right-hander Aaron Cook, closer Manny Corpas and right fielder Brad Hawpe. Those deals, for the most part, were considered club-friendly.
Holliday probably would want a contract closer to the eight-year, $152.3 million deal that the Tigers recently awarded Miguel Cabrera. Teixeira rejected a reported eight-year contract for approximately $140 million from the Rangers just before he was traded.
While the Rockies have discussed long-term deals with Holliday, who is earning $9 million this season, they have made it clear they will not pay top dollar, and probably not go beyond six years.
The trade market for Holliday, meanwhile, likely would be robust, especially from teams in the suddenly offense-starved American League. If the Rockies did not get the package they wanted, they could always put off a deal until the offseason, when an even greater number of teams likely would be interested.
 |
| Last year, Matt Holliday was a hero in Colorado. This year, he could be trade bait. (Doug Pensinger / Getty Images) |
Among the clubs that could pursue Holliday:
Highlights: BCS ChampionshipWatch highlights of LSU's 38-24 win over Ohio State in the 2008 BCS Championship game. More BCSFootball Video
• Tigers too tough in Bayou
• Hester, Perrilloux discuss win
• BCS Trophy Presentation
• Dorsey and Favorite, D-Line ecstasy
• Early Favorites, LSU takes title
• Buckeyes can't hang with SEC
• BCS Live: Jimmy on the title game
• BCS Live: Bowl breakdown
• BCS Live: Charissa in the Big Easy
• BCS Live: Booty about town
• Orange Bowl Trophy Presentation
| 2006 COPYRIGHTS ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © BOWL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES / SITE BUILT BY FOXSPORTS.COM / PRIVACY POLICY / TERMS OF USE / CONTACT | ||