Starting to get to the point of the season, sadly, where fans are starting to wonder who might be returning to the Rockies in 2012. Who is under contract, who is arbitration eligible, etc?
First, here are some quick, basic definitions:
Free agent: If a player is a free agent he simply signs with the highest bidder (usually). His services are open for bidding by any of the 30 MLB teams. Players can become free agents after six years of major league service time.
Arbitration eligible: Players become arbitration eligible after their third season in the major leagues (there are rules surrounding what constitutes a “season” in MLB; playing 10 games with the Rockies in July isn’t a “season”). During the player’s arbitration years the player asks for his desired salary, the team counters and they try to negotiate something in between. If the sides cannot settle on a dollar amount they take the negotiations to an arbitrator and the arbitrator will decide on a dollar amount. These sorts of deals can become ugly between team and player because the team will air any dirty laundry as their rationale for the number they put on the table.
Pre-arbitration eligible: Until a player has three years of big league service he is not eligible for arbitration (there is a “Super Two” exception). These are usually the young players who are still trying to get a footing in baseball. Teams will usually sign these players for about league minimum ($400k in ’11). In some cases a team might sign a young player to a “team friendly” contract through their arbitration years.
The list below has the contract status of most of the Rockies players that fans are interested in. If the player is pre-arbitration eligible then the team is most likely to sign them to a major league minimum salary going into 2013. For a player that the team likes, Jhoulys Chacin for example, they will probably give him a few thousand dollars extra above league minimum. If the Rockies really like him they might give offer him a contract through his arbitration years which would be through the 2015 season in Chacin’s case (he can be a free agent in 2016).
There is the potential for a lot of turnover on the Rockies roster going into 2012 as only 11 players are signed for 2012 already.
Aaron Cook: Free agent in 2012
Carlos Gonzalez: Signed through 2017 ($5MM in ’12)
Chris Iannetta: Signed through 2012 ($3.5MM in ’12)
Chris Nelson: Pre-arbitration eligible
Dexter Fowler: Arbitration eligible in 2012
Eliezer Alfonzo: Pre-arbitration eligible
Eric Young Jr.: Pre-arbitration eligible
Esmil Rogers: Pre-arbitration eligible
Huston Street: Signed through 2012 ($7.5MM in ’12)
Jason Giambi: Free agent in 2012
Jason Hammel: Signed through 2012 ($4.75MM in ’12)
Jhoulys Chacin: Pre-arbitration eligible
Jonathan Herrera: Pre-arbitration eligible
Jorge De La Rosa: Signed through 2012 ($10MM in ’12)
Jose Morales: Arbitration eligible in 2012
Juan Nicasio: Pre-arbitration eligible
Mark Ellis: Free agent in 2012
Matt Belisle: Signed through 2012 ($3.775MM in ’12)
Matt Lindstrom: Signed through 2012 ($3.6MM in ’12)
Matt Reynolds: Pre-arbitration eligible
Rafael Betancourt: Signed through 2012 ($4MM in ’12)
Rex Brothers: Pre-arbitration eligible
Ryan Spilborghs: Arbitration eligible in 2012
Seth Smith: Arbitration eligible in 2012
Ian Stewart: Arbitration eligible in 2012
Todd Helton: Signed through 2013 ($4.9MM in ’12)
Troy Tulowitzki: Signed through 2020 ($8.25MM in ’12)
Ty Wigginton: Signed through 2012 ($4MM in ’12)
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7 comments
Rockies17
August 4, 2011 at 3:10 PM (UTC -6)
A very real chance none of the 3 free agents end up back with the Rox:
I hope we don’t have to see Cook in the rotation next year (Pomeranz/White should be up by then we hope), so I see no need to try to sign him. A sinkerball who consistently misses up in the zone is way too much of a BP pitcher.
Until Ellis’ abysmal slump I would have said sign him, but now I’m starting to think Nelson or even EY is a better offensive contributor (although defensively EY makes me want to weep).
I loved having Giambi, but he would be better for an AL team with a DH. I know he likes his role on the Rockies since he can’t play every day, and he’s been very solid when he starts, but realistically he shouldn’t be starting at 1B anymore, and given his failures as a PH this year (too many late-inning K’s), I don’t think he needs to return, and his roster spot may be better suited for a younger guy despite Giambi’s good influence in the clubhouse.
As for the arbitration eligible players, I would love to hear how Ian Stewart’s arbitration goes. “How about $2-3 MM?.” Rockies: “Absolutely not.” Stewart: “Hey I had 2 more RBI’s (4) than my 2 caught steals after 128 PA. And I batted .217!” Rockies: “Actually .217 was your slugging percentage…” Stewart: “…Fine, I’ll take league-minimum.”
Rockies17
August 4, 2011 at 3:15 PM (UTC -6)
And the sad thing is that we probably will end up paying Stewart over $1 MM/ year…
Travis Lay
August 4, 2011 at 3:13 PM (UTC -6)
The real kicker for Stew is that he is making $2.3MM this year. He almost certainly would have to take a pay cut…something an ego of a professional athlete does not take well.
Rockies17
August 4, 2011 at 3:18 PM (UTC -6)
If I were him, I would ask for a pay cut – anything to make me seem like I am furious at myself after one of the most embarrassing offensive seasons in recent memory from a guy who ZIPs was projecting 25+ HR and possibly 80 RBIs…
Simone
August 5, 2011 at 4:11 PM (UTC -6)
Cook…don’t let the door hit your a$$ on the way out.
Stewart…i’m still a believer. If Tracy would just play him every day for the rest of the season I think we would see his numbers come up.
Giambi…i’d like to see him as a hitting coach.
CodenameDuchess
August 6, 2011 at 1:38 PM (UTC -6)
Unbelievable, this season just keeps getting uglier.
Preseason favorites to win the west followed by a fantastic April that got everyone excited. That was it, straight downhill from there. JDLR destroys his arm, Charlie Blackmon shows a little promise and proceeds to break his ankle. Cargo twice re-injures a wrist that stripped him of his power. The best pitcher in the history of the franchise is dealt and now one of the few bright spots from a mostly ugly season breaks his neck.
Just a nightmare all around. If the Monfort’s weren’t planning on dumping O’Dowd and Tracy for performance maybe they’ll do it just to shake the karma.
Here’s to next year
Travis Lay
August 6, 2011 at 4:05 PM (UTC -6)
Charlie Blackmon was in the Rockies clubhouse today. Still in a boot and using one of those devices on wheels to keep weight off the foot. Like some kind of crutch thing on wheels. Dude has a LOT of hair!