DALLAS — He presided over a trade, watched a parallel deal surprisingly collapse, reconfigured the bullpen and saved $7 million he promised to apply to this year’s payroll.
That was general manager Dan O’Dowd’s Wednesday morning at the winter meetings. Dealin’ Dan, a man not seen on Blake Street since 2000, is back. What will this reincarnation bring?
In his first life as GM, O’Dowd rattled cages and grabbed headlines, signing pitchers Mike Hampton and Denny Neagle to $175 million in contracts. He also shipped players out freely, trying to find the right mix, or in some seasons, simply fill out a roster on a meager budget.
The franchise reinvented itself in 2003, adopting a draft-and-development philosophy that produced a 2007 World Series team and a 2009 playoff berth. Two years removed from the postseason, the Rockies are at a crossroads again, trying to remain competitive this year while eyeing the future.
So it is that Colorado has chosen to collect arms through trades. Beginning with the Ubaldo Jimenez deal in July, the Rockies have added Drew Pomeranz, Alex White, Tyler Chatwood and Kevin Slowey. If not for the Reds’ last-minute reluctance Wednesday, Edinson Volquez would be on that list as well.
“I like our young pitching,” O’Dowd said. “But I also know it brings inconsistency.”
That’s what makes O’Dowd’s next move so critical. He’s already traded Ty Wigginton, saving $2 million and clearing a roster spot for Jordan Pacheco. He shipped out catcher Chris Iannetta and replaced him with Ramon Hernandez on a two-year, $6.4-million deal and added Chatwood.
Huston Street was the latest roster casualty. O’Dowd shipped him to the Padres, saving $7 million. He’s comfortable with the bullpen (Rafael Betancourt is the closer with Rex Brothers, Matt Belisle, Matt Lindstrom setting up. One of the young pitchers, White or Chatwood, could be broken in as relievers too, with minor-league Chad Bettis on the radar to help sooner rather than later).
Just in case, O’Dowd will see how interested Brad Lidge is in playing for his hometown team.
That’s down the road. For now, the GM’s focused on reallocating Street’s money on an impact arm or bat, even if it requires patience.
Fans are understandably frustrated. They want big names or more players in return on trades. But a year ago, that strategy backfired. O’Dowd admittedly made the mistake of adding marginal pieces, and free agent Wigginton and acquired Jose Lopez failed to produce.
This time around, O’Dowd wants Michael Cuddyer or Hiroki Kuroda. He hasn’t given up on Volquez, though there doesn’t appear to be a match after it appeared a deal was done for Street on Wednesday morning. He will likely call on Atlanta starter Jair Jurrjens and Mets pitcher Jonathon Niese.
O’Dowd has some money and flexibility, underlying the importance of his next step. That decision could shape this season, if not public opinion.
Footnotes.
After several talks with the Cubs about Ian Stewart, the Rockies have moved on for now. They asked about outfielder Tyler Colvin and infielder D.J. LeMahieu, but couldn’t find common ground. The Rockies view LeMahieu as an everyday second baseman and are willing to revisit the talks.
