Tuesday Links and Things: We say goodbye to Seth Smith

The trade winds keep on blowing in Colorado... along with a lot of snow I hear. This time the Rockies have parted with outfielder Seth Smith, shipping him to the Oakland A's for two pitchers who may or may not be good fits: Josh Outman and Guillermo Moscaso.

I wish I knew for sure how well they will fit, but any time you can get two pitchers - who are relatively young/cheap, have experienced the big leagues, and even enjoyed a degree of success in the big leagues - for at best a really good platoon corner outfielder, you pull the trigger and take your chances.

So Dan O'Dowd pulled the trigger and now we have about 15 pitchers battling for four starting rotation spots behind Jhoulys Chacin, maybe a couple of bullpen spots, and for the right to be the first starter/reliever recalled if a MLer is injured.

As Dan O'Dowd put it.

"It's a raging competition for spots."

I shortened the quote, but it still sounds awesome.

Honestly, the most likely outcome to this trade is maybe not that we forget it ever happened 2-3 years down the road, because we all respect Seth Smith and he was significant enough to not be forgotten that easily, but I doubt it'll register as more than a minor footnote. That said, I think the Rockies have a better chance to come out big winners if either pitcher is useful for any extended period of time. If both are, Dan O'Dowd can keep his job forever.

That's what I'm saying about the trade. Here's what a few other websites are saying.

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Tuesday Links and Things: Juan Nicasio, Ben Petrick, Aaron Cook, Mike McCoy. Yes, Mike McCoy

Another quiet week on the Rockies hot stove. I can't even think of any new, potentially interesting rumors that popped up. Pretty much the status quo, with the same names, teams, and minimal movement. But there was one big piece of news at least. Exciting news to boot, and that's what leads off our links for today.

1. Juan Nicasio faced live hitters and is on track to pitch in spring training! Denver Post

This is absolutely sensational news, but I guess we shouldn't be surprised considering the fearlessness and the toughness Nicasio showed on the mound last season. Still, to think about how devastating Nicasio's injury had the potential to be, compared to where he is now, it's remarkable. Go get'em, Juan!

2. Here's an update on former Rockies prospect Ben Petrick's battle with Parkinson's Disease. ESPN E:60

3. Remembering Aaron Cook and his sinker. RoxPile

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New Year's links: NL West offseason review, Larry Walker's HOF chances

We're back after a nice, cozy, surprisingly mild weathered holiday season here in northwest Illinois. Not only was it not a white Christmas or New Year, it felt like spring training weather. I wouldn't be offended if it continued this way all the way through March, and then happened again next winter. 

Make it happen, Mother Nature.

Since there hasn't been much real news concerning the Rockies roster over the past couple of weeks, and since I don't have any real baseball thoughts as I recover from the travel and countless turkey sandwiches, I figured I'd throw together a collection of links to keep us entertained for a few days.

1. Andrew Fisher reviewed the offseason for all five squads in the National League West. It's definitely worth a look as we set up for the hot stove home stretch. Purple Row

2. Chris Jaffe over at The Hardball Times provides an in depth preview of next Monday's Hall of Fame results. It's an interesting read, and he even goes as far as to predict how the voting will break down. See where he projects former Rockies great Larry Walker to finish on the ballot. Next week's Coopertown election results today

3. Struggling to come up with reasons to believe the Rockies will be better in 2012? Don't worry, Travis Lay from the Blake Street Bulletin has five reasons to believe it.

4. David Martin of Rockies Review simply asks: Have the Rockies done enough?

5. Frank over at Druidlove Sports takes a look at multi-purpose stadiums in wake of yesterday's Winter Classic. Who knows, maybe Coors Field will host of one those someday. With a change of sports venues

You can also follow Frank on Twitter: @druidlove

6. We saved the best for last. Congratulations are in order for our friend Michelle Hoag. Michelle impressed all of us with the hard work she put into running her Rockies Woman blog, and that hard work paid off as she will now take on the role of editor for Rox Pile. Its a much deserved opportunity for her and we certainly wish her well!

Check out Michelle's new home: Rox Pile

Questions fly after Rockies sign Michael Cuddyer

Did the Rockies overpay?

Did the Rockies sign the right guy?

How much can he actually help?

Will he make enough of an impact to make it worthwhile?

All questions being asked by Rockies fans on Friday after they signed Michael Cuddyer to a three-year, $31.5 million contract.

Honestly, all questions Rockies fans would have been asking regardless of who Dan O'Dowd had signed with the available money.

Fact is, every free agent signing is a gamble to some degree with the absurd salaries these players are earning. Each of them have their upside. Each of them have their downside. And believe me, we know that downside better than anyone after the disasters of Mike Hampton and Denny Neagle a decade ago.

Even though a lot of you are saying you would have spent the money a different way, you would have questioned that move just the same had it happened. And that's OK. It's a natural reaction. It's tough to get away from those bad memories, or how far it set the Rockies back. But we have to. And we have to give O'Dowd a chance to do his job.

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Rockies Winter Meeting Review

The 2011 Winter Meetings are behind us now, and while the Colorado Rockies did not add a large piece to their damaged puzzle, they did subtract two of their least popular players while adding some depth and freeing up enough cash to make themselves a player for Michael Cuddyer or a key starting pitcher.

Here's a quick review.

Monday

-- Claimed Jamie Hoffman off waivers from the Los Angeles Dodgers

Hoffman is your typical AAAA player. He's a pretty good defender from all accounts, but at age 27 has yet to take a step forward offensively. He'll compete for a bench job in spring training. His odds of making (in the Ryan Spilborghs role) will depend on who else the Rockies add in the coming weeks.

Tuesday

-- Acquired RHP Kevin Slowey from Minnesota Twins for minor league pitcher Daniel Turpen

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