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View Full Version : Jays, Rays, Rockies swap pitchers


RockieBill
12-16-2003, 11:08 AM
Toronto sent Mark Hendrickson to the Devil Rays, who gave up Joe Kennedy to pry Justin Speier loose from the Rockies.

The Rockies never cease to amaze me - Kennedy should fit right in -

From Baseball America -

Kennedy, a 24-year-old lefty, has seen his ERA rise from 4.44 to 4.53 to 6.13 in his three major league seasons. His .200 winning percentage (3-12) was the worst in the majors in 2003, and his ERA would have been the worst had he pitched enough innings to qualify. Kennedy was torched for a .303 average and 19 homers while putting together a 77-47 K-BB ratio in 134 innings. With a low-90s fastball and a good curveball, Kennedy has the stuff to fare much better than he did in 2003. But he too often gets too tentative, doesn't challenge hitters and falls behind in the count. He made $300,000 this season and won't be eligible for arbitration until after 2004. His career record is 18-31, 4.98 in 82 games.

Durango53
12-16-2003, 09:26 PM
There is a pitcher that is an ok reliver in Coors and they get rid of him now. For a pitcher that has a higher ERA. Great nice move by the Rox the season is now over....

renuszm
12-16-2003, 09:36 PM
I liked this move for the Jays. They get rid of hendrickson who was inconsistent and picked up a pretty decent reliever in Speier.

RockieBill
12-16-2003, 10:11 PM
I hope Speier turns into a worldbeater for your guys, ren. I don't follow the Jays very closely, except to see how our guy Halladay is doing, but Speier has the kind of attitude that should fit well on any team - no one intimidates him, and he can shake off a bad pitch and focus on the next one. I've never seen him get rattled.

This was totally about the money, Durango. Speier will get a hefty chunk in arbitration. But Joe Kennedy? I don't think they could have found a worse possible fit, had they even tried. Coors Field will be a lonely place this summer, if they make many more moves like this. Simply amazing.

renuszm
12-16-2003, 10:30 PM
Originally posted by RockieBill
I hope Speier turns into a worldbeater for your guys, ren. I don't follow the Jays very closely, except to see how our guy Halladay is doing, but Speier has the kind of attitude that should fit well on any team - no one intimidates him, and he can shake off a bad pitch and focus on the next one. I've never seen him get rattled.

That's good because that was the problem with last years closers. Escobar couldnt handle it early on and then Politte it seemed like he gave up after about 5 saves. Speier is expected to be part of the bullpen by committee with Kerry Lightenberg and Aquilino Lopez, so Speier will see some saves here.