Rockies trade Perez, acquire three prospects

[GiveHyzduashot]

http://espn.go.com/mlb/news/2001/0725/1230828.html

Wonder if that was why the Rockies blocked the blockbuster trade involving the Mets a week ago?

[RockieBill]

hehe, I think that trade with the Mets was wishful thinking on the part of a NY sportswriter. This trade, on the other hand, is quite real and quite disturbing, from the Rockies point of view, and what direction they may be headed.

While they thought they could open the season and actually compete with youngsters up the middle in Ben Petrick (catcher), Todd Walker (2nd base) and Juan Pierre (center field), they now still have Petrick and Pierre, and in addition they'll field Juan Uribe (short stop) and Jose Ortiz (2nd base).

Pierre has the speed but not the arm for CF, but has been effective in the lead-off role. Petrick has marginal backstop skills, and his bat has not been all that was expected. Uribe has made a couple of appearances with the Rockies and shows promise, but is not yet ready - he opened the season in A-ball, for cryin' out loud. Ortiz I really know nothing about. I'm just curious what the Rockies see in him that 29 other teams failed to notice.

In trading away Perez, the Rockies lost an everyday player (he played in every game last season), a player that was a clubhouse leader, and a golden glove defenseman at a very important postion. What ever is wrong with the Rockies right now, Perez was not the reason.

I've just returned from Coors Field, after watching the Giants (and Galarraga!) pound the stuffins' out of them. It's very strange not to see Perez on the field, as he has been the one guy that seemed to have a clue what was going on during the game. The Rockies may be at the bottom of the NL West for many seasons to come, if this is any indication of how the guys with the money think that baseball should be played.

RB

[pmeares17]

i read an article on that trade and it looked like they the people in charge of the rocks knew something needed to be done but i didnt get the impression that they even liked the trade to much. perez was pretty young wasnt he? not good to trade away youth

[RockieBill]

Neifi Perez is 26 years old. GM O'Dowd has been trying to get Perez signed to a long term deal, ala Helton, Cirillo, Hampton, Walker, etc. O'Dowd said the only way Perez was going to stay in Colorado was had he accepted the Rockies' four-year, $17 million deal over the winter. When Perez's agent nixed the deal, O'Dowd said that he's done messing with arbitration, and Perez would probably be dealt this season.

The plan is to make Uribe and Ortiz the Rockies' double-play combination for years to come, but I've heard the Rockies are working on another deal that would involve a veteran shortstop. The Chicago White Sox, who are trying to move Royce Clayton, are among the latest teams to jump in on Astacio, whom I've heard will be dealt by the Tuesday trading deadline.

[Jimbo21]

... Sorry, this is no time for kidding around. Don't jump off of anything, eh Bill? Who will be around to teach the kids about avatars and links and such things?

I'd love to see Jason Kendall come your way, he is signed (6yr 60 mil),sealed, and deliverable. Now who do you have that we might want?

:cool:

[GiveHyzduashot]

That may be true about New York. Those writers seem to have their way at that. :)

I don't know much about any of those guys. I do know some picked Ortiz to win rookie of the year this year, but Ichiro changed that. He hit decently in Oakland (to the tune of .270 I think) and should develop nicely in Coors. I don't know much about that Urbie guy.

I can't see why the Rockies would care for a shortstop after just trading one. :confused: That doesn't make any sense. Furthermore, why would the White Sox want Astacio? Even if they are interested, the Rox surely could get more from a desperate team.

[RockieBill]

I promise not to jump, Jimbo (not off of anything very tall, anyway! lol). Ahh, so many questions...but before I jump into the speculation business, I think I'll wait a bit. I've heard that a contingent of players, lead by Hampton and Neagle, jumped O'Dowd after the game last night. They were enticed here by big promises of contending this season, getting the big bat or arm if they needed one, etc. Instead, they have witnessed two well-liked and hard playing veterans along with a young guy with great potential get traded, in Perez, Mayne and Todd Walker. Helton especially is not pleased, as he came up through the minors with Perez. Stay tuned!