Charlie Blackmon available

[Hawk]

Rosenthal: http://www.foxsports.com/mlb/story/...t-stove-league-dangling-in-trade-talks-011715

The Colorado Rockies surrendered the most runs in Major League Baseball last year and began the offseason in a familiar position -- needing to upgrade their pitching staff.

But more than three months after their final game of 2014, the Rockies have yet to sign any free-agent pitcher to a major-league contract. The hitter-friendly environment at Coors Field is the same hindrance to new general manager Jeff Bridich that it was under his predecessor, Dan O’Dowd.

As a result, sources say the Rockies have discussed outfielder Charlie Blackmon -- an All-Star last year -- in trade talks with multiple teams. Rockies officials believe they can trade Blackmon for a starting pitcher and replace Blackmon with a free-agent outfielder -- in this case, using the Coors effect to their advantage.

The Atlanta Braves, Texas Rangers and Baltimore Orioles are among the teams known to be seeking an outfield bat, sources say. The Rangers have had interest in Blackmon in the past, according to a source.

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The Braves were interested in Blackmon early in 2013, but the Rockies weren't willing to move him at the time. Seems like he could be a good fit; Georgia native, four seasons of team control. I need to look at his statistics to see if there is a true 'Coors Effect' at play with his performance in 2014.

Wonder if Atlanta would offer Minor.

 

[emk418]

Blackmon would be a fantastic pickup. Just nervous what the price would be. He's also under control through 2018.

 

[CrimsonCowboy]

Looking at his stats:

At Colorado: .331 AVG, 13HR, 48RBI, .391OBP, .524SLG
On The Road: .241AVG, 6HR, 24RBI, .269OBP, .348SLG

Take that for what you will

 

[thewupk]

Can't walk, no power outside of Coors, and a meh defender. He doesn't strikeout 20% of the time so I guess the team might find some value in that. Seems like he would be a good fit for the no offense Braves.

 

[CrimsonCowboy]

I don't think Minor would be involved in any possible trade.............................

David O'Brien ‏@DOBrienAJC 2h2 hours ago
For those wondering, #Braves Minor is a flyball pitcher with an 11.40 ERA in 3 starts at Coors Field (26 hits, 19 runs in 15 IP)

 

[Hawk]

Other factors to consider: Blackmon passable defensively in CF, above average on the corners. Is speedy, and has experience at the top of the order.

The home/road splits are definitely quite worrisome. Plate discipline a real curiosity (low Ks, low BBs).

 

[bravesnumberone]

I remember when we had outfielders.

 

[thewupk]

Other factors to consider: Blackmon passable defensively in CF, above average on the corners. Is speedy, and has experience at the top of the order.

The home/road splits are definitely quite worrisome. Plate discipline a real curiosity (low Ks, low BBs).

His K% split from home and away is pretty wide too at 12% at home and 17% on the road. Likely due to the fact breaking balls don't break as much in Coors. I wouldn't trade anything useful for him. He's an average player imo.

 

[dak]

2015 WAR projections for Blackmon . . .

ZIPS: 0.5 WAR
Steamer: 0.7 WAR

He's a Georgia guy and fits the Braves profile in some ways. I wonder how better this guy is - if at all - than Zoilo though?

 

[sturg33]

Would have been a better acquisition than Markakis. But his season last year was flukey. Really fell off in the second half if i recall correctly

 

[MadduxFanII]

Evaluating Rockies' players is tough, because it's tempting to just look at road stats and think those represent a player's true talent. But Coors really screws with guys and gets them into bad habits. There have been plenty of players who left Colorado and ended up posting numbers that, while far from their Coors stats, were also far above their road numbers. We were skewered for signing Galaragga, for instance, in large part because of his road numbers.

That's not say Blackmon is a good idea.

 

[yeezus]

I think he would come here and be a .240 hitter.
I'd pass.

 

[Braves1976]

2015 WAR projections for Blackmon . . .

ZIPS: 0.5 WAR
Steamer: 0.7 WAR

He's a Georgia guy and fits the Braves profile in some ways. I wonder how better this guy is - if at all - than Zoilo though?

I doubt he would do any better than some combination of Hunter/Joey T/Zoilo. He is very good in Colorado but outside of Colorado he hasn't impressed me. Plus we are getting lefty heavy as it is, including a lot of our possible future position prospects (Toscano and Ruiz namely). So what we really need are some righties even if they're just the type that hammers lefties. We can platoon them with the lefty options we already have here.

PS: He only has a small number of homers outside of Colorado and places like Cincy and Baltimore. His numbers against us in Atlanta are downright terrible too.

 

[skillet]

Pass on Blackmon. I'd much rather either go with some combination of Terd/Z/Hunter, or more preferably trade one of our newly acquired high end pitching prospects for a high end ready or near ready corner outfielder.

 

[Braves1976]

Pass on Blackmon. I'd much rather either go with some combination of Terd/Z/Hunter, or more preferably trade one of our newly acquired high end pitching prospects for a high end ready or near ready corner outfielder.

Agreed. I'd be offering up Forty to the highest bidder right now for a high end ready or near ready outfielder. I know Forty is still rated high right now but a lot believe he'll end up a bullpen arm (and I happen to agree with them).

 

[buck75]

Swap BJ for him

 

[blueagleace1]

I doubt he would do any better than some combination of Hunter/Joey T/Zoilo. He is very good in Colorado but outside of Colorado he hasn't impressed me. Plus we are getting lefty heavy as it is, including a lot of our possible future position prospects (Toscano and Ruiz namely). So what we really need are some righties even if they're just the type that hammers lefties. We can platoon them with the lefty options we already have here.

PS: He only has a small number of homers outside of Colorado and places like Cincy and Baltimore. His numbers against us in Atlanta are downright terrible too.

Agree very much with you Braves1976! As I've stated before, I think a trade for Allen Craig would be our best solution. He meets the criteria we currently have:

1. He can play Left Field
2. He would give us some protection for Freeman
3. He gives us another "power bat"
4. He is under contract at a very reasonable price thru 2017 with a team option for 2018
5. He shouldn't cost much in terms of prospects to acquire

 

[skillet]

Agree very much with you Braves1976! As I've stated before, I think a trade for Allen Craig would be our best solution. He meets the criteria we currently have:

1. He can play Left Field
2. He would give us some protection for Freeman
3. He gives us another "power bat"
4. He is under contract at a very reasonable price thru 2017 with a team option for 2018
5. He shouldn't cost much in terms of prospects to acquire

Hell no on Allen Craig. The man slashed .215/.279/.315 last year. His OPS over the past four years has dropped from .917 to .876 to .830 to .594. He used to be good. Further, he is owed $26.5MM over the next 3 years. He is exactly what this team DOES NOT need.

 

[chop2chip]

Evaluating Rockies' players is tough, because it's tempting to just look at road stats and think those represent a player's true talent. But Coors really screws with guys and gets them into bad habits. There have been plenty of players who left Colorado and ended up posting numbers that, while far from their Coors stats, were also far above their road numbers. We were skewered for signing Galaragga, for instance, in large part because of his road numbers.

That's not say Blackmon is a good idea.

The Big Cat is one of my all time favorite players

 

[emk418]

Hell no on Allen Craig. The man slashed .215/.279/.315 last year. His OPS over the past four years has dropped from .917 to .876 to .830 to .594. He used to be good. Further, he is owed $26.5MM over the next 3 years. He is exactly what this team DOES NOT need.

I agree with the concerns with Craig but we have plenty of bad contracts to move. Maybe they have some interest in CJ for some 1B/3B depth. Not saying it's a great fit but if we can work out the money and swap CJ for him I'd listen.