GiveHyzduashot
07-28-2001, 02:13 PM
The Cincinnati Enquirer is reporting that the Rockies are ready to open up talks about Reds shortstop Pokey Reese in a deal that would involve Astacio. Earlier this season, Colorado tried to pry away Reese and outfielder Dmitri Young for Astacio and second baseman Todd Walker, but pulled the plug when Cincinnati asked for former shortstop Neifi Perez.
Asked specifically about the Rockies' interest in Reese, who is making $3.2 million this season, Thad Levine, Colorado's assistant director of baseball administration, said, "His name hasn't come up recently to my knowledge. It sounds like serious rumor mill stuff."
What is not mere gossip is Colorado's interest in St. Louis shortstop Edgar Renteria. When Rockies GM Dan O'Dowd addressed the media following the Perez blockbuster on Thursday, he responded to criticism that is club is too green up the middle with Ben Petrick (24) catching, Juan Uribe (21) at short, Jose Ortiz (24) at second and Juan Pierre (24) in center field.
"That," O'Dowd said, "is how we are for now."
Translation: With Perez gone, the Rockies want to add a veteran infielder to serve as a mentor for both Uribe and Ortiz, neither of whom need the pressure of trying to play 162 games a season.
Renteria, one of only three Colombian players to begin this season in the Major Leagues, is famous for delivering the winning hit for the Florida Marlins in Game 7 of the 1997 World Series. His acquisition would squelch talk of salary dumps. While the Rockies were unable to come to terms with Perez, who said he was seeking a four-year deal in the neighborhood of $26 to $29 million, Renteria is in the second-season of a four-year, $20-million deal.
As opposed to Perez, whose salary arbitration might have unexpectedly disrupted the payroll, Renteria represents cost certainty, though his contract is heavily back-loaded. After receiving a $1 million signing bonus, Renteria, who will be 26 on Aug. 7, is due the following:
the prorated portion of $4.5 million this season
$5.75 million in 2002
$6.25 million in 2003
$6.75 million if club option is exercised before Nov. 15, or $7 million if after. A $500,000 buyout is also available.
$7 million if club option is exercised before Nov. 15 or $7.25 million if after. A $750,000 buyout is also available.
Renteria is slumping this season, strapped with a .228 average with six homers and 29 RBIs. However, he was a career .283 hitter entering this season and clubbed 16 homers and drove in 76 runs a year ago. His track record hints that this summer has been an aberration.
There's no question that St. Louis is panting after Astacio. Bob Gebhard, a special assistant to Cards GM Walt Jocketty, has been following the right-hander on his recent starts and was watching intently at Dodger Stadium on Friday night -- one of 12 scouts in attendance.
Astacio, whom Gebhard acquired from the Dodgers for Eric Young in 1997 while running the Rockies, didn't hurt his stock, despite falling to 6-13 on the season. After a shaky first inning that featured a three-run homer by Shawn Green, Astacio (5.49 ERA in 22 starts) stopped relying on his fastball and began buckling knees with his deuce. He allowed just three runs on eight hits in six innings, while striking out two.
Jocketty is on the record saying that he will decide Monday if the Cards are buyers or sellers. Astacio is a risk because of his contract. He earns $6.6 million this year and will make $9 million in 2002 if a $1 million escape hatch isn't pulled. But many view him as another Darryl Kile, a Rockies pitcher who would be willing to rework his contract in order to thrive outside of Coors Field.
"In some ways we have more options now that we got prospects for Perez," explained assistant GM Josh Byrnes two days ago. "It allows us to be more flexible in what we will consider for (Astacio)."
Asked specifically about the Rockies' interest in Reese, who is making $3.2 million this season, Thad Levine, Colorado's assistant director of baseball administration, said, "His name hasn't come up recently to my knowledge. It sounds like serious rumor mill stuff."
What is not mere gossip is Colorado's interest in St. Louis shortstop Edgar Renteria. When Rockies GM Dan O'Dowd addressed the media following the Perez blockbuster on Thursday, he responded to criticism that is club is too green up the middle with Ben Petrick (24) catching, Juan Uribe (21) at short, Jose Ortiz (24) at second and Juan Pierre (24) in center field.
"That," O'Dowd said, "is how we are for now."
Translation: With Perez gone, the Rockies want to add a veteran infielder to serve as a mentor for both Uribe and Ortiz, neither of whom need the pressure of trying to play 162 games a season.
Renteria, one of only three Colombian players to begin this season in the Major Leagues, is famous for delivering the winning hit for the Florida Marlins in Game 7 of the 1997 World Series. His acquisition would squelch talk of salary dumps. While the Rockies were unable to come to terms with Perez, who said he was seeking a four-year deal in the neighborhood of $26 to $29 million, Renteria is in the second-season of a four-year, $20-million deal.
As opposed to Perez, whose salary arbitration might have unexpectedly disrupted the payroll, Renteria represents cost certainty, though his contract is heavily back-loaded. After receiving a $1 million signing bonus, Renteria, who will be 26 on Aug. 7, is due the following:
the prorated portion of $4.5 million this season
$5.75 million in 2002
$6.25 million in 2003
$6.75 million if club option is exercised before Nov. 15, or $7 million if after. A $500,000 buyout is also available.
$7 million if club option is exercised before Nov. 15 or $7.25 million if after. A $750,000 buyout is also available.
Renteria is slumping this season, strapped with a .228 average with six homers and 29 RBIs. However, he was a career .283 hitter entering this season and clubbed 16 homers and drove in 76 runs a year ago. His track record hints that this summer has been an aberration.
There's no question that St. Louis is panting after Astacio. Bob Gebhard, a special assistant to Cards GM Walt Jocketty, has been following the right-hander on his recent starts and was watching intently at Dodger Stadium on Friday night -- one of 12 scouts in attendance.
Astacio, whom Gebhard acquired from the Dodgers for Eric Young in 1997 while running the Rockies, didn't hurt his stock, despite falling to 6-13 on the season. After a shaky first inning that featured a three-run homer by Shawn Green, Astacio (5.49 ERA in 22 starts) stopped relying on his fastball and began buckling knees with his deuce. He allowed just three runs on eight hits in six innings, while striking out two.
Jocketty is on the record saying that he will decide Monday if the Cards are buyers or sellers. Astacio is a risk because of his contract. He earns $6.6 million this year and will make $9 million in 2002 if a $1 million escape hatch isn't pulled. But many view him as another Darryl Kile, a Rockies pitcher who would be willing to rework his contract in order to thrive outside of Coors Field.
"In some ways we have more options now that we got prospects for Perez," explained assistant GM Josh Byrnes two days ago. "It allows us to be more flexible in what we will consider for (Astacio)."