Carvajal

sg8335aa · 02-13-2007, 07:59 PM

Not to open up old wounds here.......but I seem to recall O'Dowd taking a fairly large beating around here for the Torrealba for Marcos Carvajal trade last off-season.

In the latest chapter of this ongoing soap opera.......the Tampa Bay Devil Rays just designated Carvajal for assignment. I distinctly remember how some people were predicting very high things for this kid.....and while those things still may come eventually, we may have to revist those talks.

Did O'Dowd manage to "sell high" on Carvajal? Many people were angry that we dealt away someone with so much promise......is that still the case?

bedir than average · 02-13-2007, 08:01 PM

He absolutely sold high on Carvajal. Carvajal is in his second organization since that deal.

BigRapidsJackass · 02-13-2007, 11:34 PM

Quote:

In the latest chapter of this ongoing soap opera.......the Tampa Bay Devil Rays just designated Carvajal for assignment. I distinctly remember how some people were predicting very high things for this kid.....and while those things still may come eventually, we may have to revist those talks.

O.K., I'll take the bait since I was one of those who criticized O'Dowd for this deal.

First: remember that Torrealba gave us approximately half a year at catcher last year. And he played pretty well when he was healthy -- without looking it up, I'd guess about league average offensively for a catcher, and better than average at controlling the running game. But that may be it for Yorvit, who didn't even catch in Venezuelan winter ball.

Second: Carvajal really shouldn't be downgraded as a prospect yet. His numbers in AA this year: 72.1 IP, .87 HR/9, 8.59 K/9 (for those who care, an ERA of 3.86). The killer: 4.85 BB/9. But lack of control is hardly a new thing with a pitching prospect. And unless we think he's got a fake birth certificate, he just turned 22 last August. For comparison, Juan Morillo is almost a year older, and he put up (albeit as a starter) .83 HR/9, 5.13 BB/9, 8.47 K/9 at Tulsa. We all know Morillo has more talent, but so far that's not really showing up in his stat line. I think guys like Sickels had Carvajal as about a C+ prospect, and I'd say that's still about right. Kind of like Jim Miller -- a guy who may very well have a decent run as a middle of the bullpen guy.

So, yes, it's nice that he's been DFA'd, and if I were O'Dowd I'd be looking to bring him back right now. I don't think that'll happen, since I imagine he'll be part of a minor league swap for a similar middling prospect who fills some need (starting pitcher anyone?) for TB.

My point then (as it is now): a club like the Rockies really shouldn't be giving up any prospect with a decent shot at being a major league contributor for an immediate stopgap solution.

Sure, I overreacted at the time ... but that's an overreaction borne of frustration at the seeming lack of any plan or timetable for competing on the Rockies' behalf.

BigRapidsJackass · 02-17-2007, 11:18 PM

The Mets claimed Carvajal off waivers.

Fantasy Baseball - Rotoworld.com

Which, of course, means that the Rockies passed on him.

I would imagine that's because they don't have anyone they'd rather drop from the 40-man roster in exchange for Carvajal.

So I checked, and the 40 man roster is now full. If there's any other pick-ups to be made, the following would seem to be the most dispensable:

Alexis Gomez (pointless recent pickup)
Jayson Nix (a huge longshot now; the Choo Freeman of the infield, coming off 3 awful minor league seasons in a row)
Omar Quintanilla (probably has some slight trade value)
Darren Clarke (he's almost 26, coming off injury,he's never pitched above A ball, but he's huge and that's O'Dowd's new thing and he has an outside chance to make the show as a reliever)

So, yes, there's still room on the roster if a good waiver claim pops up this spring.

02-13-2007, 07:59 PM	#1 (permalink)
sg8335aa Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 118	Carvajal Not to open up old wounds here.......but I seem to recall O'Dowd taking a fairly large beating around here for the Torrealba for Marcos Carvajal trade last off-season. In the latest chapter of this ongoing soap opera.......the Tampa Bay Devil Rays just designated Carvajal for assignment. I distinctly remember how some people were predicting very high things for this kid.....and while those things still may come eventually, we may have to revist those talks. Did O'Dowd manage to "sell high" on Carvajal? Many people were angry that we dealt away someone with so much promise......is that still the case?

02-13-2007, 08:01 PM	#2 (permalink)
bedir than average Administrator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Starbucks Posts: 8,256	He absolutely sold high on Carvajal. Carvajal is in his second organization since that deal. __________________ US Men's National Team World Cup Qualifying \| Democracy in Sports Meets My First Campaign "You're only so sure you're right because they're so sure you're wrong." Orson Scott Card in Xenocide

02-17-2007, 11:18 PM	#4 (permalink)
BigRapidsJackass Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 1,109	The Mets claimed Carvajal off waivers. Fantasy Baseball - Rotoworld.com Which, of course, means that the Rockies passed on him. I would imagine that's because they don't have anyone they'd rather drop from the 40-man roster in exchange for Carvajal. So I checked, and the 40 man roster is now full. If there's any other pick-ups to be made, the following would seem to be the most dispensable: Alexis Gomez (pointless recent pickup) Jayson Nix (a huge longshot now; the Choo Freeman of the infield, coming off 3 awful minor league seasons in a row) Omar Quintanilla (probably has some slight trade value) Darren Clarke (he's almost 26, coming off injury,he's never pitched above A ball, but he's huge and that's O'Dowd's new thing and he has an outside chance to make the show as a reliever) So, yes, there's still room on the roster if a good waiver claim pops up this spring.