Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here... highlighting the big storyline. Because there's nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.
Calling his acquisition "an interesting experminent [that] will end unfulfilled," the Denver Post's Troy Renck reports the Rockies will not tender a contract to ex-Red Sox reliever Manny Delcarmen by Thursday's deadline, thus making the Boston native a free agent.
Delcarmen was dealt to Colorado last August but struggled with control problems with Rockies, finishing 0-2 with a 6.48 ERA in 9 games. He had been 3-4 with a 4.53 ERA in 57 games for the Red Sox prior to the trade.
CSNNE | Report: Rockies plan to non-tender Delcarmen
I'm not willing to give into the "LET'S BRING JE-TAH TO THE SAWX" machine that the Globe is continuing to push, so let's look at what's happening to an old friend.
It's been a steep decline for Manny. Once thought to at least be a promising setup man, it now looks like he'll be part of the bullpen detritus that floats around the league. Of course, it's his own doing -- if his fastball would move even 0.1 millimeter to either side he'd be a lot stronger of a pitcher.
The Rockies were busy yesterday. They reached a three-year agreement with Jorge De La Rosa for $32-33 million and are reportedly close to a Todd Helton-like contract with SS Troy Tulowitzki: 10 years, nearly $170 million (only six of the years represent new money, but this is the reported total).
Colorado perpetuates the trend we've already seen around baseball -- young guys get snapped up early. Longoria, even the on-the-market Justin Upton -- these guys get offers very, very early on in their careers now. Tulo at least has proven himself, but he's only 26 and has his whole career ahead of him. Let's hope for the small-market Rockies' sake he's able to be healthier for the next ten years than he has been so far.
As far as the Red Sox are concerned, it has to make you wonder: Does this put more pressure on us to try to make a deal for Upton, or even for Adrian Gonzalez? Fewer of these franchise-changing players are now available than they once were -- especially pitchers, which may have factored into why Theo locked up the entire rotation forever and ever -- so we might be obligated to work the trade market to build our lineup into the future.
In somber, closing news, former Yankee infielder Gil McDougald died yesterday, and Indians' great Bob Feller is in the hospital with pneumonia (at age 92). Sad news for a couple of greats, and we wish Bob a speedy recovery.
Globe | Why not a short Jeter stop? | Fun to watch Jeter saga from afar | Herald | Yankees reportedly want to restart talks with Jeter |
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