From ESPN Insider: Dec. 17 - The Rockies are shopping outfielder Jay Payton, and ESPN.com's Jayson Stark reports that the Astros are interested. The Rockies are asking for left-handed pitcher Carlos Hernandez in return, but the Astros are balking at giving up Hernandez. They instead have offered right-handed pitcher Tim Redding. Payton batted .303 last season for the Rockies and Mets with 16 home runs and 59 RBI. He would be a solid outfielder. If we could get him and Kent, my life would be set.
i don't want to give up hernandez...i'd give up redding, though, for Payton. if i remember right, he performed really well in the playoffs for the Mets. yeah...payton and kent would make for a nice offseason, in my book.
Why would the Rockies ask for a pitcher like Hernandez who relies heavily on his big curveball? They need power pitchers in that park. Redding doesn't exactly fit that bill, either, though.
because they'll never learn...the rockies will never win a championship playing in coors field....mark it down.
Payton is a solid leader as well. I was stoked about Hernandez in 2000 but I think his career may be injury plagued.
A healthy Carlos is a good pitcher. Good lefties are tough to find, also. I'd send them Redding for Payton in a heartbeat, but not Carlos. We desperately need speed on this team next year and Payton would be a nice fit for center field. If signing Kent means not signing Miller and Oswalt later, I say forget Kent. Something is going to have to give with the salary cap that Drayton has put in place.
Payton's 30 years old, had his breakout season at age 28, can't bat leadoff (career obp less than .330), is not a threat on the bases, and had a very mediocre 2001 and 2002, until the trade to Colorado. He also may only be marginally better that Berkman as a defensive CF. Why do we want him?
there's no way i'd trade carlos but i'd consider redding. he has great stuff but can't seem to get the mental edge that the rest of our young guns have. payton isn't all that exciting but it'd be an upgrade.
Payton has never struck me as a guy that you want starting 150+ games a year. If you have to rely on him to start everyday, then you're in trouble.
Maybe... But Ward still has a lot more upside than Payton. Right now, they are both 4th OF quality. I don't think Payton will be able to be worthy of an everyday job. Ward can, if he finds his power.
I think Payton would be a quality acquisition. Besides...I agree with AB that Carlos will be plagued with injury. It is a trade I'd be willing to make. We can plug Saarloos or Munro into that spot in the rotation.
Dont curveballs not work in mile high? then how is he going to help the rockies... Tim Redding sounds like the one to trade. High expectations, no result.
What do you guys see wrong with Payton? He is a career .285 hitter. Sure, there are many better outfielders than him, but its not like we have the option of getting Andruw Jones or Darin Erstad. We are simply just trying to get someone that can do an adequate job. For those of you that dont like the prospects of getting Payton, what is it that you want, that would be reasonable?
Luckily for you he does or you'd have one boring afternoon. Astros fans -- why not sign Kenny Lofton and have him be a stopgap for 1 or 2 years. He'll come pretty cheap (last contract was about $1 million) and he proved in the playoffs last year that he can still hit. His defense and speed aren't the same anymore but still pretty good. You can develop a center fielder during that time and still make a good run at the pennant. Plus, no pitchers or prospects to lose.
