Watching a trade between the Rockies and Royals is fascinating because there's so much at play -- personnel wise -- on those rosters. Dayton Moore has a valuation process that differs from a lot of major league teams, only because he wants to win now, but likely knows it's going to be a few years. Colorado, meanwhile, has totally respectable albeit stringent team philosophies regarding moral fiber ... or something like that. Either way, Ramon Ramirez was able to get on the team in the first place so he's probably a good guy. But he's a gonna have to be a good guy elsewhere, as the Rockies have dealt him to Kansas City for the ever popular Player to Be Named Later.
'I am happy for this opportunity,' Ramirez said. 'I need to go there and pitch well.''The Denver Post is positing that the Rockies like this deal because they clear up roster room for Micah Bowie, who has impressed thus far in the spring, allowing just one hit, one walk and no runs in 6 1/3 innings. That's great and all, but is a 33 year old reliever who has looked good in very limited sample sizes really the way to go over a potential strikeout artist that had an electric 2006 MLB debut before succumbing to injuries last year? I would probably argue no. But then again, Bowie's the left-handed specialist (although what does that make Brian Fuentes with Manny Corpas closing -- just a setup guy?), and maybe the Rockies know something the Royals don't. Although I am hesitant to think that Dayton Moore, and maybe I'm just drunk on the Kool-Aid here, is getting wool yanked over his eyes, even if it's only for a PTBNL.
Ramirez, acquired in the Shawn Chacon trade in 2005, burst onto the scene in 2006, working as one of the Rockies' most effective relievers during the first half of the season. He struggled with his command in the second half and never got on track last year, in part because of an elbow problem.
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