Eric Byrnes’ layover in Denver is over.
The Rockies, looking to get younger and add power, shipped Byrnes to Baltimore on Friday night in exchange for outfielder Larry Bigbie.
“Nothing alarms me anymore,” said Byrnes when discussing the deal Friday night. “There have been constant rumors.”
The pendulum swung on Byrnes a week ago. Though intrigued by the 29-year-old’s energy, the Rockies made it clear that Byrnes would have to start next season to justify his potential $3 million salary on next year’s budget. That grew highly unlikely with Triple-A prospect Jeff Salazar and current regular Cory Sullivan in the mix.
As a result the Rockies spun Byrnes, acquired over the all-star break for pitcher Joe Kennedy, for Bigbie. Bigbie brings a left-handed bat with pop.
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He has drawn strong interest for the last few weeks and could also be packaged as part of another deal depending how the dominoes fall with disgruntled Boston outfielder Manny Ramirez, Tampa Bay’s Aubrey Huff and the Mets’ Mike Cameron, creating voids for those teams. The Rockies continue to try and fill multiple roster holes.–>
Bigbie, 27, is hitting .248 with five home runs and 21 RBIs. He was removed from Friday’s game in the fourth inning against the White Sox, with the Orioles planning to announce the deal near the game’s conclusion. Rockies scouts have long coveted Bigbie, who hit 15 home runs last year in 478 at-bats.
