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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Townie's Take: Eric Young Jr. and the trade of Chris Iannetta

-- Should I apologize for my sorta harsh words about Eric Young Jr. and his odd dismissal from his Venezualan League team?

Young issued a statement over the weekend explaining that his team failed to provide a family member that flew in on Thanksigiving Day the proper transportation from the airport. Young then took matters into his owns hands, citing safety concerns after the kidnapping of Wilson Ramos, and drove to the airport himself. Of course the flight of his family member was delayed, which forced Young to miss the first four innings of the that day's scheduled game.

Strange story. I was admittedly too quick to pass judgment, but the whole thing still feels kinda weird. Not that I don't believe Young or all of the circumstances he explained, but seriously, what the hell? And what about an explanation for the other alleged late arrival to the ballpark?

Anyway, I apologize for not waiting for Young to explain himself and for calling his actions embarrassing. That's probably not true. However, I do not apologize for saying he was at least partially fired for being bad at baseball or that I'm not all that interested in watching him play for the Rockies again next season.

Sorry. Not sorry.

-- Fallout from the trade of Chris Iannetta.

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