ShareThisWith Ian Stewart ready for his big-league opportunity, the Colorado Rockies have what could be a key bargaining chip for a major offseason deal with incumbent third baseman Garrett Atkins.
The Rockies have put Atkins trade talks on hold in part because the message they got from him this offseason has been positive. He wants to stay in Colorado, and past indications that he was ready to leave were attempts at gallows humor that were given too much credibility.
More than anything, though, the Rockies have to be realistic. It is difficult to deal Atkins because they don't know what their major 2009 need will be, and they likely won't start to get an answer to that question until they are deep into spring training.
There are two wild cards in the Rockies' plans for next year -- left-handed pitcher Jeff Francis, who ended 2008 sidelined with shoulder problems, and first baseman Todd Helton, who began the offseason with back surgery in hopes of alleviating numbness in his left leg.
The Rockies are working on adding pitching depth. They have eight experienced rotation candidates coming to spring training - lefties Francis, Jorge De La Rosa, Franklin Morales and Greg Smith, and right-handers Aaron Cook, Ubaldo Jimenez, Greg Reynolds and Jason Hirsh - and have been kicking the tires on non-tendered Tim Redding.
If Francis were to have a setback in spring training, the Rockies would have to turn their attention to a more proven middle-of-the-rotation pitcher.
Atkins, however, also is the protection for Helton. It won't be until late spring, after Helton is exposed to the daily grinds of game competition, that the Rockies will be able to start to evaluate his comeback. Even if Helton is healthy, as expected, the Rockies are going to have to be more vigilant in making sure he gets regular rest.
Atkins moved back to first base, the position he played when he first signed with the Rockies, in the second half last year when Helton was sidelined, opening up third for Stewart.
Stewart's athleticism is a bonus, the Rockies feeling that if all goes well with Francis and Helton, Atkins provides depth because Stewart would be the replacement at third when Atkins plays first or gets a day off and can play second and left field.
INFIELD CHATTER
-- The proposed trade of outfielder Mike Cameron to the Yankees for outfielder Melky Cabrera appears to be off because of the Yankees' desire for the Brewers to absorb a chunk of Cameron's $10 million salary.
-- The Mets' need for starting pitching has them focusing on re-signing left-hander Oliver Perez.
-- The Cardinals, put on hold by closer Brian Fuentes, have begun to check out former Dodgers closer Takashi Saito.
THE ROTATION
Bidding for free agent Mark Teixeira -- the Angels, Red Sox and Nationals have eight-year bids on the table and the Orioles are at seven years -- has put the rest of the free-agent market on hold. Some players in limbo:
-- Fuentes has a two-year offer from St. Louis but would prefer the Angels, who would have interest if they lose out on Teixeira.
-- Designated hitter/outfielder Milton Bradley, who is being pursued by the Cubs and Rays, will find added bidders once Teixeira decides.
-- Designated hitter/outfielder Manny Ramirez wants more than the two years the Dodgers offered, and it could come from the Angels and/or Yankees if Teixeira goes elsewhere.
-- Designated hitter Jason Giambi is on the Rays' wish list if they can't sign a DH who also can play in the field, such as Bradley.
-- Right-hander Derek Lowe could return to Boston, but the Red Sox payroll wouldn't hold Lowe and Teixeira.
OUT IN LEFT FIELD
Former big-league pitcher Nick Willhite died of cancer at his son's home last weekend in Alpine, Utah.
Willhite had been able to salvage the final 20 years of his life with the help of former Dodgers pitcher, Stan Williams.
Faced with alcohol and drug problems, living on the streets in Salt Lake City and having been divorced three times and out of touch with his six children, Willhite reached out to Williams in 1989, and Williams helped Willhite overcome his addictions and reunite with family members.
Willhite and Williams were recommended to the Dodgers by the late Manny Boody, the longtime high school writer for the Rocky Mountain News, who also was a bird-dog scout for the Dodgers.
CLOSING STATEMENT
The late Bus Campbell has to be smiling.
It's been a good week for his proteges.
Toronto pitcher Roy Halladay, who began working with Campbell when he was 12, was selected as the Toronto Sun Sportsman of the Year, which goes to the athlete who had the most impact on Toronto and includes a $1,000 donation to the charity of Halladay's choice.
Other nominees were Mats Sundin of the Maple Leafs, Chris Bosh of the Raptors, Wimbledon doubles champion Daniel Nestor, Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston and broadcaster Don Cherry of Hockey Night in Canada.
And 48-year-old Jamie Moyer, who was ready to retire until Campbell provided him some offseason tips 18 years ago, signed a two-year contract to remain with Philadelphia.
Moyer led the Phillies with 16 wins while compiling a 3.71 ERA despite pitching in hitter-friendly Citizens Bank Park during the Phillies' title season.
NUMBERS GAME
-- 8: Teams out of nine in the NL and AL West divisions finished with fewer than 85 victories in 2008. The only exception was the AL West champion Angels, who were eliminated in the first round of the postseason by wild card Boston.
ALOHA, HAWAII
The Hawaii Winter League has closed up shop for a second time. The HWL, which ran from 1993-97 and from 2006-08, folded after major league officials voted to create a second fall league in Arizona.
While the current AFL is geared for players at the Class AA and AAA levels, a new league will be created that will be designed for Class A players.
It will use spring training parks and by having both leagues in the Phoenix area, it will make it easier and less expensive for teams to monitor players' progress.
HE SAID IT
"I try easier."
-- Retired pitcher Greg Maddux in explaining how he dealt with pressure situations during a career that will result in his Hall of Fame enshrinement.
(Tracy Ringolsby writes for the Rocky Mountain News in Denver, Colo. E-mail ringolsbyt(at)RockyMountainNews.com.)
