Regarding the Hughes speculation, he is absolutely not held in as high regard as he was last year when they refused to include him with Kennedy in the Santana trade. His velocity AND movement are down. He has become injury prone, PLUS his mechanics are in a shambles. He also seems like he can’t handle the pressure of NY. At this point, his upside looks no better than a middle of the rotation starter and I would have no qualms about trading him if we can fill a need with a good young player.

I have also soured on Kennedy. His stuff is nothing special, can’t handle the heat, plus has a obnoxious attitude. Say Goodbye.

Try this on for size: Hughes, Kennedy and Cano for Adrian Gonzalez and Peavy. Then sign Orlando Hudson to play 2nd. But I doubt the Pads would go for it…

I agree the price would be too high to bring Holliday over but I am not concerned by his home/road splits. Didn’t he perform well during the All-Star Game?

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Isn’t that the ultimate in “small sample size”?

To me, Bay and Holliday are basically the same player. I don’t know why Boston would want both.

I agree the price would be too high to bring Holliday over but I am not concerned by his home/road splits. Didn’t he perform well during the All-Star Game?

Can someone provide the links to the Matsui and Damon chatter? If we can send Matsui to the Nintendo Team, I think we help both sides. However, Damon was probably the most consistent Yankee in ’08 and really seems to want to be a part of the club. He’s a vocal leader and an all-around good guy. Let him play out his contract and mentor some younger guys.

“Don’t act as though he is taking any sort of moral highground here. He is doing what ALL players do, take guaranteed money, which comes in the form of long contracts.”

which is what i said, isnt it?

i never suggested he was taking a high moral ground, but moreso that he looks like he just wants a long term deal that is fair for what his numbers say he deserves.

now anyone can argue whether or not he’s worth it, because of the Coors effect, and thats where i feel the most argument would occur.

but he does seem genuine in the times that Ive heard him interviewed that all he wants is security, stability, and a chance to win.

he doesnt fit me, even though he a Boras client, as a guy who is going to the highest bidder just for the money alone.

he’s looking for long term security and fair market value.
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Isn’t this a typical line from almost every athlete who isn’t completely upset with their situation? Especially those who play in smaller markets?
It sounded to me that he wasn’t looking for ‘fair market value,’ but instead simply ‘long term security.’ But, of course, isn’t long term security ultimately about breaking the bank? So that in 7 years, when he is getting paid 23 million and is playing baseball at the clip of a 12 million/year player, THEN he is breaking the bank?
It’s not like he is going to accept a 8 year/$80 mil deal. He wants to make sure that when he starts his decline, his contract isn’t affected.

Don’t act as though he is taking any sort of moral highground here. He is doing what ALL players do, take guaranteed money, which comes in the form of long contracts.

“TurnTwo:
Holliday’s agent is the Spawn of Satan, if I’m not mistaken. He won’t take any offer until he’s tested free agency in a year.”

except that Holliday has already said on the record that he isnt looking to break the bank for the highest offer, just a contract that is fair market value.

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/sep/15/krieger-holliday-pleads-his-case/?partner=RSS

“But to say that I don’t want to be here (in Colorado) and that I’m headed to the open market to get the most money I can get is extremely inaccurate.”

… and ive heard him on the radio, during the all star break this season at the Stadium say basically the same thing, too.

he’s looking for long term security and fair market value.

And one other thought – wouldn’t you want to see what Holliday does away from Coors first before you commit to him? What if you only get his away splits going forward? Now you’ve paid, in players and cash, for inflated performance at his old park.

newguy:
D’OH! I noticed afterwards your parenthetical. Teach me not to read so quick.

TurnTwo:
Holliday’s agent is the Spawn of Satan, if I’m not mistaken. He won’t take any offer until he’s tested free agency in a year. That’s why I can’t understand the presumed interest the Sox are supposed to have. The Rockies probably would have sent him away last year and gotten more for him, but after reaching the Series they didn’t want to break up the core of that team. But I can’t imagine anyone giving up a lot for a guy who could easily walk in a year.

“They wouldnt trade Hughes for a lefty ace in his prime. Why would they trade him for a LF who has one yr left before FA?”

=Holliday would come with an extention offer already accepted upon… you arent trading for Holliday for one year of service.

and we dont know that Hughes would be a part of that deal… one can assume, but who really knows?

the Rockies have an excellent young CF ready to come up and patrol CF, maybe they’d make Austin Jackson the centerpiece in the deal to pair them up for the next 6-10 years, and then take more of a chance on the high ceiling arms lower in the system, like a Brackman or Betances.

maybe the Rockies would trade Holliday to the Yankees, but only if Cashman takes on half or all of Helton’s contract along with him?

its hard to anticipate what the Rockies value the most… purging salary? or a huge package of near mlb-ready prospects? or both? or maybe they’d rather take Robinson Cano and his relatively inexpensive contract and call it even?

we might never know that.

but it is fun to speculate.

They wouldnt trade Hughes for a lefty ace in his prime. Why would they trade him for a LF who has one yr left before FA?
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read my post…