GaryMrMets
12-19-2001, 09:33 PM
http://phillies.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/phi/news/phi_news_story.jsp?article_id=mlb_20011219_reese_n ews&team_id=mlb
News
12/19/2001 7:15 pm ET
Rockies trade Reese to Red Sox
By Troy E. Renck
MLB.com
DENVER -- Pokey Reese spent less time with the Colorado Rockies than George O'Leary did at Notre Dame.
But unlike the former Irish football coach, there was no question about Reese's credentials. The two-time Gold Glove winner has a solid resume that includes leading the Cincinnati Reds in stolen bases the last three seasons.
Yet, just 27 hours after he was acquired by the Rockies, the infielder is packing again. On Wednesday afternoon Colorado made good on a promise to trade Reese by shipping him to the Boston Red Sox for veteran catcher Scott Hatteberg.
"Again, as we said yesterday, we really like Pokey as a player," explained Rockies Assistant GM Josh Byrnes, "but we are committed to playing our young kids (shortstop Juan Uribe and second baseman Jose Ortiz) up the middle."
Reese, simply put, was not a good fit for the Rockies financially. In the last three days they have rid themselves of $33.225 million in guaranteed money to former third baseman Jeff Cirillo and reliever Gabe White. So it was incongruous to think that Colorado would keep Reese, who made $3.25 million last year and was in line to demand around $4 million in arbitration despite hitting just .224 last year.
"More than likely, Pokey will not play for us," Colorado GM Dan O'Dowd said on Tuesday, after announcing that he acquired pitcher Dennys Reyes and Reese from the Reds for White and pitching prospect Luke Hudson. "We have other holes to fill."
[]
Catching certainly has been an area of concern since the Rockies shipped Brent Mayne to Kansas City last June. The Rockies had hoped that Ben Petrick would blossom as Juan Pierre and Uribe did when given the full-time job. But he struggled until September, clearly daunted by the task of playing everyday.
As a result, the Rockies tinkered with the position all summer, promoting Sal Fasano and trading for ex-Phillies backup Gary Bennett. Following the blockbuster Cirillo deal with the Mariners involving three young pitchers, Fasano was designated for assignment to clear space on the 40-man roster. Bennett impressed the Rockies with his defense, but is viewed more as a backup.
Which brings us to Hatteberg. Is he the answer?
"Maybe," Byrnes said. "He's a left-handed hitter with power. We like him a lot."
But there's a catch. In order to keep him, the Rockies need to tender the 32-year-old a contract offer by 10 tonight or risk losing him to free agency. Hatteberg made $1.05 million a year ago while splitting time with Doug Mirabelli after Jason Varitek's season-ending elbow injury.
"We don't have much time," Byrnes admitted. "But we are going to try and get something done."
For long-time Rockies fans, Hatteberg, who has also played some third base in his career, runs along the lines of a Jeff Reed, the former backstop who roped a position-best 17 homers for Colorado a few years ago. Hatteberg hit just .245 with three homers and 25 RBIs last season, while struggling defensively, throwing out just 10 of 125 would-be base stealers. But in 2000, the former Washington State star clubbed eight taters in just 230 at-bats.
"Are we done yet?" said Byrnes, his phone humming in the background. "We'll see. We still have work to do."
Troy E. Renck is the site reporter for ColoradoRockies.com.
News
12/19/2001 7:15 pm ET
Rockies trade Reese to Red Sox
By Troy E. Renck
MLB.com
DENVER -- Pokey Reese spent less time with the Colorado Rockies than George O'Leary did at Notre Dame.
But unlike the former Irish football coach, there was no question about Reese's credentials. The two-time Gold Glove winner has a solid resume that includes leading the Cincinnati Reds in stolen bases the last three seasons.
Yet, just 27 hours after he was acquired by the Rockies, the infielder is packing again. On Wednesday afternoon Colorado made good on a promise to trade Reese by shipping him to the Boston Red Sox for veteran catcher Scott Hatteberg.
"Again, as we said yesterday, we really like Pokey as a player," explained Rockies Assistant GM Josh Byrnes, "but we are committed to playing our young kids (shortstop Juan Uribe and second baseman Jose Ortiz) up the middle."
Reese, simply put, was not a good fit for the Rockies financially. In the last three days they have rid themselves of $33.225 million in guaranteed money to former third baseman Jeff Cirillo and reliever Gabe White. So it was incongruous to think that Colorado would keep Reese, who made $3.25 million last year and was in line to demand around $4 million in arbitration despite hitting just .224 last year.
"More than likely, Pokey will not play for us," Colorado GM Dan O'Dowd said on Tuesday, after announcing that he acquired pitcher Dennys Reyes and Reese from the Reds for White and pitching prospect Luke Hudson. "We have other holes to fill."
[]
Catching certainly has been an area of concern since the Rockies shipped Brent Mayne to Kansas City last June. The Rockies had hoped that Ben Petrick would blossom as Juan Pierre and Uribe did when given the full-time job. But he struggled until September, clearly daunted by the task of playing everyday.
As a result, the Rockies tinkered with the position all summer, promoting Sal Fasano and trading for ex-Phillies backup Gary Bennett. Following the blockbuster Cirillo deal with the Mariners involving three young pitchers, Fasano was designated for assignment to clear space on the 40-man roster. Bennett impressed the Rockies with his defense, but is viewed more as a backup.
Which brings us to Hatteberg. Is he the answer?
"Maybe," Byrnes said. "He's a left-handed hitter with power. We like him a lot."
But there's a catch. In order to keep him, the Rockies need to tender the 32-year-old a contract offer by 10 tonight or risk losing him to free agency. Hatteberg made $1.05 million a year ago while splitting time with Doug Mirabelli after Jason Varitek's season-ending elbow injury.
"We don't have much time," Byrnes admitted. "But we are going to try and get something done."
For long-time Rockies fans, Hatteberg, who has also played some third base in his career, runs along the lines of a Jeff Reed, the former backstop who roped a position-best 17 homers for Colorado a few years ago. Hatteberg hit just .245 with three homers and 25 RBIs last season, while struggling defensively, throwing out just 10 of 125 would-be base stealers. But in 2000, the former Washington State star clubbed eight taters in just 230 at-bats.
"Are we done yet?" said Byrnes, his phone humming in the background. "We'll see. We still have work to do."
Troy E. Renck is the site reporter for ColoradoRockies.com.