Josh Fields Wastes No Time Making Impression

Former major leaguer Josh Fields -- best remembered for hitting 23 homers in 373 at-bats as a surprise replacement for the 2007 White Sox -- wasted no time making an impression in his debut with Triple A Colorado Springs, going 1-3 with a walk, three RBI and a towering homer in an 18-14 loss to Tucson.

Heading a cast of 11 former major leaguers vieing for callups to the parent club -- Fields, 26, finds himself in a strong comeback position as he has been cast as a deep reserve for struggling Rockies third baseman Ian Stewart, 26, who has yet to play this year coming off knee and hamstring injuries. Fields is also backing up super utility man Ty Wigginton, 33, who is seeing reps at third, first and the outfield in Denver. Fields' homer came off former Padres major leaguer Wade LeBlanc, 26,, who gave up 10 hits and eight earned runs in 4.33 innings.

LeBlanc, who won eight games against 12 losses in 26 major league starts last year, is making a bid to return to San Diego. Another Colorado Springs standout was former major league speedster Willy Taveras, 27, master of the bunt single, who went 3-5 with a bag. Fields and Taveras could turn out to be useful spare parts at the major league level before the year is out.

Another interesting puzzle piece is former Mets first baseman Mike Jacobs, 30, who hit at a .300 clip with power when originally called up in New York six years ago, and cannot be ruled out as a potential backup to aging All Star first baseman Todd Helton, 36. Eric Young Jr., 25 -- son of original Colorado Rockies outfielder Eric Sr. -- has been up and down between Triple A and Denver over the past two years, and likely as not will supplant Jose Lopez, who is keeping second base open for him in Denver. Former Rockies infielder Chris Nelson is also with the Sky Sox.

Other ex-big leaguers at Colorado Springs include catcher Mike Pagnozzi formerly of the Cardinals and pitchers Billy Buckner formerly of the Diamondbacks, Clay Mortensen formerly of the Athletics and Sean White formerly of the Mariners.

Rockies Ask What's Miguel Olivo Done Lately?

After struggling at the plate for a half dozen years newly signed Rockies catcher Miguel Olivo undeniably broke through last year with a 23 home run total with the Royals, a rate of approximately one every nine at-bats, or an astonishing potential of 50 total for the season if he had played full time.

And so what are the Rockies asking of their newly signed backstop? What have you done for us lately? With Cactus League games just getting under way the suspense is already over as multiple media reports indicate that Olivo, 31, will be little more than a reserve due to the emergence of the highly regarded Chris Ianetta, 26.

Ianetta, who has 30-homer potential himself, is regarded as a superior glove man as compared to Olivo who, perhaps in part because of communication shortcomings, failed to satisfy the Royals defensive expectations last year. Ianetta will have to fall flat on his face, not only during spring camp, but in the first four to eight weeks of the season if Olivo is to see much more than a couple of hundred plate appearances.

Despite Trials, Ian Stewart Sits Out for Rockies

Though at a critical juncture at 24, former top Rockies prospect Ian Stewart is expected to need a day or so of rest after stressing his left arm swinging the bat in the cage.

Perhaps he has been trying to hard.

The soreness comes at a time when Stewart finds himself under great pressure, as he must use every opportunity to prove he is worthy of a spot on a crowded roster on which he may be left with no position depending on a number of factors beyond his control.

Stewart -- a natural corner infielder who has been tried with mixed results at second base and in the outfield -- finds himself on the outside looking in as Clint Barmes has the inside track for the second base job, and Garrett Atkins plays third. Stewart's best opportunity may lie with the trade of Atkins, or if Atkins crosses the diamond to play first in the event that Todd Helton is unable to play after sustaining a number of injuries and illnesses.

Stewart's return to action was being considered for this weekend. He is being asked to be more selective at the plate, and increase contact.

Beane Does it Again: Holliday to A's

Billy Beane has worked his magic again.  The one-time phenom GM profiled in the cult classic Moneyball is close to completing a deal that would land slugger Matt Holliday from the Colorado Rockies.  Landing a player of this caliber immediately puts Beane in the conversation for next year's executive of the year award.  True, Holliday is only under contract for one more year, but he undoubtedly  brings the middle of the lineup threat that Oakland was sorely lacking last season.  Names being mentioned as being discussed in the deal are Huston Street, Greg Smith, Sean Gallagher, and Carlos Gonzalez.

Oklahoma Tuneup Has Jeff Francis Ready to Return

Former 17-game winner Jeff Francis is set to return to action for the Rockies Tuesday after a successful final rehabilitative outing at Double A Tulsa.

Rockies manager Clint Hurdle was quoted by The SportsXchange as describing Francis as having a good fastball and a lively changeup.

Francis went 1-0 in three minor league starts, surrendering just one run in little more than 14 innings. After going 17-9 with a 4.22 ERA last season, Francis has been a shadlow of his former self this season, going 3-7 with a 5.67 ERA in 17 starts before going on the disabled list with soreness.

Rockies Try Jason Hirsch -- Alias 'Colorado Lode'

Because those big bad National League batters have been kicking around poor Kip Wells so much -- with his 1-2 record and 5.14 ERA -- the Rockies speculatively are about to call up Triple A prospect Jason Hirsch, who has a 2-3 record with a 5.37 ERA against teams with names like Modesto Nuts.

Won't those bullies be sorry now?

Wells sealed his fate last week when he gave up eight runs in a third of an inning against the Dodgers. He is 59-91 with a 4.77 ERA lifetime as a starter, but after struggling all year with injuries and other setbacks has been demoted to the bench as a desperation mop-up candidate.

Toot! Toot! Next stop: Colorado Springs.

The 6-foot-8, 250-pound Hirsch -- alias 'The Colorado Lode' -- was sensational pitching in the Astros system before being acquired in the Jason Jennings trade.

Hirsch still has potential but has done little since. If the Rockies think Hirsch can skate by in a one-game, test shot against the Pirates this week, a surprise may be in store. Even without Xavier Nady -- off to join the Yankees -- the Pirates can hardly be considered pushovers.

The Rockies have a 25-year-old youngster named Steven Register also waiting at Colorado Springs, but he apparently hasn't registered. Register has shown enormous improvement recently with a 5-1 record and 2.78 ERA, but looks to be cultivated as an end-game reliever.

Angels Willing to Part with Adenhart

The emergence of all-stars Ervin Santana and Joe Saunders has caused the Angels to rethink their stance on trading previously untouchable pitching prospect Nick Adenhart, if it means acquiring a prized bat such as Matt Holliday or Mark Teixeira.  Saunders, previously regarded as a future 4th or 5th starter, and Santana, previously regarded as crap, now combine with John Lackey to form arguably the most formidable front end rotation baseball.  

MLB.com suggests that the Angels would have to part with either Adenhart, Jeff Mathis, Howie Kendrick, or Ervin Santana to get their hands on Holliday.  The latter three have all been integral parts of the Angels MLB best 57-38 record and are unlikely to be traded.  A package including Adenhart, Rivera or Matthews, and another pitching prospect could get a deal done.

The Angels are thought to be more interested in Holliday than Teixeira.  He would likely take over left field for Garret Anderson in '09.   Assuming that Vladamir Guerrero's $15 million option is picked up, the Angels would then only have to focus on resigning Francisco Rodriguez and signing a 5th starter to take the spot Adenhart would have otherwise occupied (although Kelvim Escobar is signed through '09). 

Mets Seek Matt Holliday as Token Anglo American?

An MLB Rumor is circulating that Mets General Manager Omar Manaya is attempting to acquire Rockies outfielder Matt Holliday, adding his name a roster with such names as Carlos Delgado, Luis Castillo, Argenis Reyes, Fernando Tatis, Jose Reyes, Endy Chavez, Carlos Beltran, Chris Aguila, Ramon Castro, Moises Alou, Claudio Vargas, Carlos Munoz, Tony Armas, Duaner Sanchez, Johan Santana, Oliver Perez, Pedro Feliciano and Pedro Martinez.

Wait a minute. Does Manaya know what he's doing? What's Matt Holliday's Latin venue of derivation?

Oh, of course, Colorado.

Yeah, Gary Matthews was a Bad Signing

The Angels have finally benched Gary Matthews Jr. and his .236 batting average, in favor of Juan Rivera and his who knows how much below .200 batting average.

Nobody disputes Matthews' gold glove defense (although who needs it with Torii Hunter in center field) but what the hell was Bill Stoneman doing giving him $50 million over 5 years just because he broke .300? Andruw Jones thinks this is a bad contract.

Predictably, Matthews has basically been a No. 7 hitter since he came over from Texas, but now he's a defensive replacement. And Angels fans are pretty much stuck with him. Not only did Stoneman give him an unjustified amount of money (he is owed $10 million, $11 million, and $12 million in 2009, 2010, and 2011, respectively) but he has a FULL no-trade clause through next season. Not that anyone would agree to trade for him anyway, but if he waives the no-trade clause he gets a $500,000 bonus.


The Colorodo Rockies are just about the only team to which that a trade would make sense. The ginormous dimensions at Coors Field require Matthews-like speed and defense in center field, and the thin air could probably turn him into a 30-homer threat. The Angels are rumored to have interest in MVP candidate Matt Holliday, so they may be lucky enough to pawn Matthews (or Rivera, or both) off to the Rockies if they fork over some top pitching prospects.

Unlikely though.

Tulowitzki Sends Himself to the 15-Day DL

Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, who had returned from the DL only three weeks ago after missing 46 games, suffered a bad cut on his right hand after slamming his maple bat to the ground in frustration.

Tulowitzki took responsibility for the incident, calling it a "stupid injury that I could have prevented."

His regret is of little comfort to the Rockies who will be without their starting shortstop for an estimated two weeks.

This is only the latest in a long line of freak injuries for Rockies players. In 2005, second baseman Clint Barmes broke his collarbone in a fall while carrying a large slab of meat given to him by teammate Todd Helton up the stairs in his apartment building.

Rockies Troy Tulowitzki Hitting, Running Well

Injured Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki -- hitting just .156 before going down with a knee injury after 26 games -- finally is swinging the bat with authority, even if it is against only minor league pitching.

Tulowitzki's resurgence is unsurprising considering he was running well enough this week to steal a base for Triple A Colorado Springs, not to mention going 3-7 with a double in two rehabilitation starts for his team's Triple A Pacific Coast League affiliate at Colorado Springs.

His return to major league play is expected tonight, according to radio station KOA .850 in Denver.

Observers have reported to MLB Newsonline that Tulowitzki occasionally appears slightly tentative, as he is coming off a muscle tear that initially had been anticipated to keep him out of action until the All Star break or beyond. Tulowitzki told MLB.com he is experiencing no pain, however.

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Troy Tulowitzki Plays Nine in Single A Rehab

Recovering Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki appeared energized and refreshed after taking the previous night off to be with Los Angeles area friends, going 3-5 with a run scored for Single A Modesto as the Nuts defeated Rancho Cucamonga 12-10 in Tulowitzki's first full game since going on the disabled list with a torn quadriceps muscle last month.

Having played five innings in his first rehab start at Visalia Wednesday, and six Thursday, the young star was granted permission to leave the team and rest Friday night after starting the game at designated hitter, batting once and then departing with his acquaintances.

Tulowitzki has been moving with relative fluidity, though he occassionally appears to be slightly favoring his injured knee, which is normal.

"Other than that, he looks pretty good," said Greg Young, play-by-play broadcaster for KESP Radio in Modesto.

Barring setbacks, Tulowitzki is to make his last appearance with the Nuts tonight, then travel to Triple A Colorado Springs for another week of rehab starts.

The 22-year-old former Long Beach State standout -- second runner up in last year's Rookie of the Year balloting -- signed a six-year, $31-million contract extension last year and is expected to be eased back into the Rockies lineup as soon as possible, perhaps by June 20.

Rockies Troy Tulowitzki Boots Two, Will Sit Out

Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki -- attempting to come back from a knee injury -- appeared slightly shakey in his second rehabilitation start, committing two errors and going 0-3 for Single A Modesto in an 8-1 loss at Visalia.

Modesto manager Jerry Weinstein rested Tulowitzki after six innings, as the team has targeted him for a return to the majors in about 10 days. When healthy an outstanding fielder, one of Tulowitzki's errors was charged after he appeared to pull up short while trying to reach a grounder that normally would have been in his range.

Tulowitzki -- a 2007 Rookie-of-the-Year candidate -- is now 0-6 in two successive games for Modesto, and is scheduled to sit out the first of three road games against the Single A Rancho Cucamonga beginning Friday. Weinstein will bring him off the bench if Tulowitzki feels up to it, the decision being up to him.

If Tulowitzki continues to be evaluated as healthy, he will play nine innings against Cucamonga on Saturday and Sunday.

Initially Tulowitzki was expected to sit out perhaps another month or more, but the 22-year-old rising superstar has proved to be a quick healer.

Tulowitzki played only five innings in his first appearance for Modesto, and claimed he felt no discomfort. But in his second game he appeared to slightly favor his left knee, which sustained a torn quadriceps muscle May 12. Otherwise he moved with relative fluidity.

The weekend will mark the end of Tulowitzki's current stint, meaning that Modesto fans will not see him in a local game unless he is unready to advance to Triple A Colorado Springs. Tulowitzki is scheduled to return to the Rockies on or about June 20 if he continues to progress.

Troy Tulowitzki Returns to Action at Visalia

Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki -- initially expected to be out until the All-Star break or beyond with a quadriceps muscle tear -- has so far proved to be an especially quick healer as he returned to action in a rehabilitation start this week for the Single A Modesto Nuts.

Tulowitzki went 0-for-2 but drove in a run with a sacrifice fly at Visalia, according to The Modesto Bee.

It was Tulowitzki's first game since being injured on April 29. If Tulowitzki continues to move freely, without pain and with confidence, preliminary indications point to a return to Denver well before the end of the week, though the team may want to avoid rushing him as he had been struggling at the plate even before he was injured.

Tulowitzki was expected to continue traveling with the team for another start, with further evaluation to be taken from there.

Soothsayer Urges Rockies: Trade Matt Holliday

In a triumphant return to Denver last year under laurel leaves, a confetti sky and the mantle of a National League Championship, the Rockies had they looked behind them might have heard the faint murmur of the Shakespearean-like soothsayer Woody Paige, warning: "All glory is fleeting."

Suddenly now the sole possessors of last place at 11 games out, the Rockies are being urged forward by the inveterate Denver Post columnist toward a grim day of reckoning when a sad farewell must be bid to beloved son Matt Holliday.

Yes, Matt Holliday, that Matt Holliday; he of the 2007 .340 batting average, 36 home runs and 137 RBI, who -- nursing a hamstring injury at home -- mercilessly has been spared witnessing the current road trip in which the Rockies have dropped the last six games for a loss of 17 of 19 away from home and a 20-36 overall mark, the worst in major league baseball.

The inescapable conclusion is that the season is over even before the All Star break, and says Paige: "These tough times demand tough decisions."

Paige's argument is that because Holliday will be in his walk year in 2009, he must be dealt for value before the July 31 trade deadline so that the team can get about the business of rebuilding for next year, and before cattle barons Charlie and Dick Monfort -- who have controlled the team since its inception -- idly watch Holliday seek greener pastures with whomever is willing to pay him and agent Scott Boras Karloff market price on the hoof.

"We love Holliday as a player and a man, but you know, I know, everybody knows that the Monforts, playing poker with scared money, won't resign their dictatorship and won't re-sign Holliday," Paige asserts.

Among at least 10 potential suitors are the Yankees, Mets, Indians, Athletics, Giants, Braves, Cardinals and the Blue Jays, all presumably with pitchers and prospects to spare.

"Trading Holliday is not a popular proposal -- and can be argued -- but in my opinion it's reality, and the right move to make," says Paige.

Circumstances Open Door for Rockies Ian Stewart

With the injury decimated Rockies having lost 12 of their last 17 games -- six of the last eight -- at least a door has been opened to test long-awaited former top draft pick Ian Stewart.

At 24 Stewart remains a work in progress, as he was batting a healthy but less than spectacular .281 with 12 homers at Triple A Colorado Springs. But with a number of regulars out, manager Clint Hurdle has called up Stewart to see just exactly what he can do at second base, as Stewart's natural position at third base is filled by Garrett Atkins.

Look for Hurdle to keep working Stewart -- an athletic, 6-foot-3, 200-pound left-handed batter -- into the lineup while waiting for middle infielders Jeff Baker, Clint Barmes and Troy Tulowitzki to return from disabled status, not to mention Atkins, who has recently missed time with a sore neck.

While Stewart has been shown to be overmatched in limited major league playing time, it is intriguing to consider the 2002 10th overall pick's .304 batting average, 15 home runs, 23 doubles, and 65 RBI in 112 games at Colorado Springs last season, including a .321 clip over his final 37 games. Stewart has also stolen more than 40 bases since turning professional.

In addition to Baker, Barmes and Tulowitzki, outfielders Matt Holliday and Brad Hawpe; and pitchers Micah Bowie, Jason Hirsh, Ryan Speier, Luiz Vizcaino and Kip Wells are also out of action.

Jayson Nix Future Brightens with HR, 3-3 Outing

No clear concensus is apparent as to who will be the Rockies starting second baseman when the season opens, but one thing for sure: young Jayson Nix didn't hurt his chances by going 3-3 with his third homer of the spring in the team's recent 4-2 win over the Giants at Hi Corbett Field in Tucson, Ariz.

Complicating the issue, former top prospect Ian Stewart hit his third homer in three games, this one a 10th inning shot to right center to win the game, thus keeping his name in the mix for the job.

Nix and Stewart are among five candidates to play second, with Nix having been the early spring favorite until being overtaken by veteran Marcus Giles, then outfielder-infielder Jeff Baker.

Baker and his 6-foot-3 frame could put up a significantly different looking goal post the middle of the diamond compared to Nix and the other more diminutive but quicker rivals, plus Baker can hit for power. The problem is, Baker's bat has begun to fail him, with Nix's 3-3 performance lifting his average to the .270 range while Baker's has been fluctuating in the .230s and .240s after his hot start in exhibition and split-squad contests.

Baker no longer know where he stands, nor whether he will even make the roster.

"You know how it is," Baker told www.MLBnewonline.com. "If you can hit you can hit. If you can't you can't. (That's) baseball."

Clubhouse sources said no one -- not even the front office brain trust -- knows for sure who will come out on top in the competition to start at second. But Nix -- a defensive whiz who has hit for average in the minors -- appears to be the player that management hopes will win the job.

Jeff Baker Offers Power for Rockies at Second Base

In an attempt to find playing time, Rockies outfielder Jeff Baker for the past three years has been asking the team to try moving him to second base. Finally, the Rockies may have to start taking Baker seriously.

To increase his lateral quickness over the winter, the 27-year-old former Clemson shortstop and third baseman went on a rigid diet and workout program to shed 20 pounds from his 220-pound, 6-foot-3 frame, and continues to take infield practice up the middle rather than in left field. Though he may not be the slickest middle infielder on the roster, improvements are evident and Baker is the only second base candidate to offer legitimate 20 home run power.

Speculation has Baker overtaking defensive minded former first round pick Jayson Nix for the starting second base job, along with fading candidates Clint Barmes, Omar Quintanilla, Ian Stewart and veteran Marcus Giles. Except for Baker, none has stepped forward to take the job with only three weeks remaining in spring training.

Rockies Manager Clint Hurdle Turns Up the Speed

Rockies manager Clint Hurdle is using spring training to focus on improved baserunning, as evidenced by his decision to experiment with first baseman Todd Helton batting third instead of fourth, with Matt Holliday batting cleanup.

On the surface, it looks like positioning to elevate Holliday's RBI opportunities. Instead, it's designed to create more chances for Holliday to run. Center fielder Willy Taveras has picked up on the increased emphasis on speed, pledging to double the 33 bags he stole last year to 60 or 70 this year, according to published reports.

Ryan Spilborghs Crowds Brad Hawpe in Colorado

The emergence of right-handed hitting Ryan Spilborghs in Colorado spells trouble for Brad Hawpe, who despite his strong season continues to struggle against lefty pitching.

It's hardly a surprise that the Rockies would move toward a platoon situation in right field, with Spilborghs hitting better than .400 against lefties, and Hawpe hitting a mere .130.

Still, Spilborghs' numbers are derived from a small sample, and have not borne the test of time. If Hawpe is denied the opportunity to play every day, then the claim that he is unable to hit lefties becomes something of a self-fulfilling prophecy.

While occasional substitutions are reasonable, Hawpe has earned the right to continue unfettered development. Anything less would be crippling. Given a chance, his average against lefties will improve.