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Around Baseball: It’s A Happy Holiday In The Bay Area As A’s Land Holliday
By Administrator | November 11, 2008
According to a report on ESPN.com, the Colorado Rockies have traded all-star outfielder Matt Holliday to the Oakland Athletics in exchange for closer Huston Street, pitcher Greg Smith and outfielder Carlos Gonzalaez. According to Buster Olney, the teams have agreed to terms but the details have yet to be finalized. The deal is also pending completion of physical exams.
The Rockies have little hope of signing Holliday after the 2009 season, and they have no particular interest in getting into a bidding war orchestrated by his agent, Scott Boras. They need a closer — with Brian Fuentes about to leave through free agency — and saw a chance to acquire Street.
Smith (who should slot into their starting rotation) and Gonzalez (who very likely could be their new left fielder) were acquired by the Athletics last year in the Dan Haren trade with Arizona.
Rockies spokesman Jay Alves, speaking on behalf of general manager Dan O’Dowd, would not term the trade a ‘done deal’ however: “Talks are continuing. They’re very fluid and at this point. Everything’s speculation”.
Oakland owner Lew Wolff said he spoke with general manager Billy Beane three times yesterday: “Billy’s doing different things right now”.
While Wolff’s commenst were neither a confirmation or a denial, a couple of his now-former players were a little more forthcoming. Pitcher Greg Smith, who was 7-16 with a 4.16 ERA last season for the A’s, said: “I don’t know how official everything is, all I know is that I’ve been called and I’m flying to Denver, probably (today).”
Gonzalez, 23, has also confirmed the trade: “They just called me a little while ago and told me the deal’s in place. It surprised me, but that’s how baseball works — you’re always subject to be traded”.
There is ample speculation around baseball that Colorado may be acquiring Street in order to flip him elsewhere to a team that does not want to get into the bidding for former Angels closer Francisco Rodriguez (the NY Mets are said to be VERY interested in Street).
The announcement came one day after trade talks between the Rockies and St. Louis Cardinals were halted… the Cardinals had reportedly offered the Rockies a package for Holliday that was centered around outfielder Ryan Ludwick (who hit 37 home runs last season).
Holliday, 28, hit .321 with 25 homers and 88 RBI this season, one year after finishing second in the NL MVP balloting… but he plays half of his games at hitter-friendly Coors Field and his home/road splits have many pundits wondereing whether he is as good as his numbers or if he is a creation of his home ballpark.
I guess we are about to find out.
Topics: Around Baseball |
