It will take a very good deal for the Rockies to part with first baseman Justin Morneau.
(Karl Gehring, The Denver Post)
SAN DIEGO — It’s Wednesday, the final full day of baseball’s winter meetings, and thus far, the Rockies have talked and listened but taken no action.
Rumors are swirling, as they always are at the winter meetings. As Jenny Cavnar from Root Sports said to me: “It’s like a giant fantasy baseball convention.”
That said, I still believe the Rockies will make a move — or at least construct the groundwork for a deal.
Here is the latest on potential Rockies trades:
* Catcher Wilin Rosario: A number to teams have inquired about “The Bull,” most of them from the American League, where Rosario could be used as a designated hitter and a catcher. The front-runner appears to be the Rangers, who need a right-handed power bat. They have relievers that interest the Rockies, including right-handers Roman Mendez, Jon Edwards, Shawn Tolleson, Phil Kleinand Spencer Patton, as well as lefty Robbie Ross Jr.
* Infielder Josh Rutledge: The Angels believe Rutledge can develop into an every day player and have approached the Rockies about a deal. The Angels have some relievers that might interest that Rockies, including right-handers Vinnie Pestano and Fernando Salas. As of Tuesday night, the two teams were merely talking, not making proposals.
* First baseman Justin Morneau: Rockies GM Jeff Bridich said there’s been substantial interest in the 2014 NL batting champion. The Miami Marlins, in need of a left-handed bat, have emerged as a potential trading partner.
“Now that there are fewer free-agent hitters to be had, we are getting more calls on our hitters,” Bridich said Tuesday. “Justin is a heck of a player and a heck of a hitter under a very fair contract.”
Morneau is heading into the second year of a two-year, $12.5 million contract ($6.75 million in 2015), with a $750,000 mutual option for 2016. With the loss of Michael Cuddyer, it’s difficult to imagine the Rockies trading Morneau right now, unless they get quality pitching in return. Of course, if the Rockies stumble in the first half of 2015, the likelihood of a Morneau trade would rise exponentially.
Tags: Jeff Bridich, Josh Rutledge, Justin Morneau, Wilin Rosario
