I never thought this was a possibility especially with Jhoulys Chacin coming off back to back strong seasons but wow was I wrong. And there’s two reasons for this. Guthrie has really impressed his new boss, general manager Dan O’Dowd while Chacin has royally pissed off his boss.

First, the good stuff. Guthrie has come to Colorado with an attitude of wanting to work hard and be a winner. That’s exactly what the new boss wants to hear right?

Jeremy Guthrie has designs on starting opening day for the Rockies. No one is prepared to declare him the ace, but O’Dowd came away impressed after talking extensively with the right-hander after acquiring him from Baltimore on Monday. “His mindset, desire and competitive fire is to be the top guy. The change of scenery and change of leagues should help, and we want him to pitch to contact more. When he attacks the strike zone, he’s very, very good,” O’Dowd said. (Denver Post)

Now to the negative. Chacin is reportedly overweight and O’Dowd is not pleased with this.

Jhoulys Chacin disappointed O’Dowd with his offseason workouts. O’Dowd believes Chacin needs to drop weight because the added pounds affect the balance in his delivery and undermine his fastball command. Chacin spent much of the winter training in Venezuela rather than working out in Tucson. A person close to Chacin said Thursday that the right-hander currently weighs 226 pounds, and expects to be close to the 218 he was last spring when he reports to spring training next Sunday.

“I would say he could have worked a little harder this winter. I am not really happy about that,” O’Dowd admitted. ” I don’t think it will be issue by time it gets to camp. But it has to get to a point where he has maturity and discipline and realizes that this is his career.” (Denver Post)

So here’s the problem I see. Chacin may be over the weight O’Dowd wants him at but it’s not going to be much different then what he started 2011 at. I figure he’ll be slightly over that 218 because I don’t know how he’ll lose eight pounds in less then two weeks and be fully healthy. But if there’s not much difference then what’s the problem?

Well like that Denver Post article says O’Dowd is trying to change the culture of the Rockies. He wants these young kids to become more dedicated and start to show the maturity that veteran players should have.

Which means if you’re going to work out at home, away from the team’s watchful eye then you better handle your business. Don’t show up to Spring Training out of shape, it sets a bad example especially when it’s a pitcher who is penciled in as your ace.

This is the exact reasons why Guthrie’s name is now in the mix for the Opening Day start. He’s working hard and willing to do whatever it takes to improve. When management wants to change the culture in a clubhouse that’s the kind of guy they’re going to look to, no matter if it’s the best baseball move or not.

It should be interesting to see how this plays out during the next few weeks. Will there be bad blood or will today’s comments get Chacin’s attention?

An excellent Rockies source said: “There is absolutely no truth to the Cody Ross stories. The Rockies have always liked Cody as a player but we have no fit at all in our outfield.” (Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post)

While a player like Ross would help the Rockies outfield, there’s just simply no room. They’ve got Carlos Gonzalez, Dexter Fowler and Michael Cuddyer as starters, they’ve also got Seth Smith. So as you see where would Ross fit in? Unless there’s a trade in the works involving Seth, then I just don’t see anything happening.

The other problem is Ross would ideally want a multi-year contract. If he were to be the fourth outfielder only thing I could see the Rockies offering him is a one-year deal. Something he’d probably not accept.

@TroyRenck: Rockies have talked to Brad Lidge’s reps. Lidge will seriously consider Colorado, where he grew up and still has a home.

What’s interesting is this is something that Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports touched upon about ten days ago.

@Ken_Rosenthal: Street trade to #Padres expected to kickstart #Rockies’ pursuit of FA Brad Lidge, a Denver-area native.

With the current closer market and being from Denver I wouldn’t be one bit surprised to see Lidge wind up with the Rockies.

He’s not that big of a homerun threat as many think which means he could be a pretty good fit for this team. He’s only had two seasons where he’s given up more then ten.

In 13 career appearances at Coors Field he’s got a 3.86 earned run average. Yes, for a relief pitcher that’s not that good but remember one or two bad outings skews their stats. What I would look at is the fact that he only has one homer in those appearances. Compared to most pitchers in that park that’s not much.

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If he signs with Colorado the question will be what role does he fill? Will he be the closer?

The Rockies have said their going into Spring Training with Betancourt in the role, so you’d assume Lidge would be the setup man. For how long though?

After returning from injury, Brad had a great second half. He finished with a 1.40 ERA over 25 appearances. If he continues to pitch like that and Rafael falters just a little, then Lidge could easily take over. Which is another reason I’m sure he wants to head home.

It’s a place that could offer the opportunity to close.

@JoeStrauss: For those wondering: Cards may be realizing traction w/Beltran.

It’s no surprise when you consider the other options he had. The two main ones were the Colorado Rockies and the Toronto Blue Jays. Colorado just signed Michael Cuddyer to play in their outfield while Toronto won the Yu Darvish bidding and will look to sign him to a major deal. With them off the table all signs would point to St. Louis, especially at the suggested dollar figure.

@DKnobler: Rockies signing Cuddyer closes out one option for Beltran. Heard yesterday he has at least one offer for $10 mill per year.

And here’s Buster Olney’s tweet from a couple days ago.

@Buster_ESPN: STL is serious entity in the Carlos Beltran talks; he’s a fit, especially with questions about when Allen Craig will be back from surgery.

When you take all of this into consideration I really don’t see how he winds up in St. Louis. The question is how long will it take and what the final deal will look like.

@TroyRenck: Rockies still firmly in mix to get cuddyer could happen today.

@Buster_ESPN: Rival executives expect that Michael Cuddyer will land with the Colorado Rockies.

I’m wondering how much money the Rockies are offering because I really thought Cuddyer would head back to the Minnesota Twins. Especially after the three year, $24 million dollar offer they gave him. He’d get some job security as well as a salary that not many teams have been offering. If he’s prepared to move on from that then Colorado must be offering something good.

Michael would be a good addition to the Rockies outfield and could enjoy a nice Coors Field boost. Since becoming a full-time start he’s averaged just under 17 homeruns a season but over the last three seasons that’s jumped up to 22 per. If he stays healthy and plays 140+ games I could see him easily hitting 30 plus.

With multiple sources now saying a deal could happen, I’m sure it does. I just still question how much it will be for, could he hit the $10 million mark?

The Rockies have talked with Atlanta. Multiple executives said that the Braves are still in a fact-finding stage, trying to determine what they want in return a player who could start at second or third base for the Rockies. The discussions are expected to restart at the general manager’s meetings that begin Tuesday in Milwaukee. (Troy Renck – Denver Post)

With a weak market at the position and Ellis off the board, you would have to think the Rockies are reaching the desperation point right? General Manager Dan O’Dowd would like you to believe other wise “We had interest in both players, but we have other things going on and there is a lot of winter left. “We are very comfortable with our in-house options.”

I think he’s blowing smoke so the Braves don’t try to rape his organization of it’s talent. It’s been known that the Braves are interested in outfielder Seth Smith, while also having interest in Charlie Blackmon and Tim Wheeler (two guys they’d like to not move). They’ve also expressed interest in Dexter Fowler, an Atlanta native.

Personally, if I was the Rockies giving up Smith and Blackmon or Wheeler may be worth it. Prado is a legitimate talent who can help solidify the middle of the Rockies infield for years to come.

Prado had an off year in 2011, batting .260 with 13 homers and 57 rbi. For his career though he’s got a .293 average with career highs of 40 doubles and 15 homers.

The problem for the Rockies though again, is how much the Braves are going to ask for. As more teams get interested, the Detroit Tigers are now in the mix, the price will only go up. Which means the Rockies need to strike fast and get things done before the Baseball Winter Meetings in December.

“Same as he’s been for the past 15 years — as incredible as that may sound,” one veteran scout said. “He has a chance to pitch in the big leagues as a fifth starter and win 10 or 12 games. He’s throwing 81 to 83 miles an hour, but he still knows how to make you look like an idiot. He doesn’t need the money. But I think he has that fire burning in his belly.”

Another scout observed: “It was amazing. He looked as loose, limber and free as he ever has.”(Jon Paul Morosi, Ken Rosenthal – Fox Sports)

In 2010, he went 9-9 with a 4.84 ERA over 19 starts at the age of 47!! If he’s indeed healthy I don’t see how a team close to contention doesn’t take a chance on him.

Morosi and Rosenthal list a few potential suitors (aka teams who sent scouts) and like I said some are teams that are either close to contention or already competing. “Sources say the Mariners, Rangers, Royals, Rockies, Orioles, and Pirates are among the teams that have sent scouts to see Moyer.”

With him being a left-handed pitcher and a crafty veteran who knows how to get the best out of his limited arsenal then why not give him a chance.

Here’s another Phillies article that may interest you, the Phillies have resigned Jim Thome.

@alannarizzo: Troy Tulowitzki and Todd Helton took BP and participated in normal baseball routine. Getting closer to being able to play.

The Rockies are to far out for his return to make a difference BUT it could make a difference for you fantasy finalists. If you’re in one of those leagues with a two weeks final and he’s on your roster the return could help give you the title.

While I hope a return helps you win your title, I’m not opposed to the Rox just shutting Tulo down.

Rockies manager Jim Tracy has said the slugger won’t return till he’s 100% and that’s the way it should be. The Rockies have no chance at the playoffs so it’s time to protect their investment. If he’s not ready you don’t play him and you know what with just a few games left I wouldn’t risk further injury.

It’s safe to say it’s been a long year for Millwood. He started off the year pitching for the Yankees Double-A Trenton and Triple-A Scranton Wilkes-Barre affiliates, when he wasn’t called up he opted out of his contract. After that he spent time in Pawtuckett playing for the Triple-A Red Sox, he again wasn’t called up and opted out of his contract.

The story this time he was on a flight home (maybe to retire?) when his agent called with another offer. An offer that I’m sure appeared after Nicasio’s scary neck injury. Regardless and offer is an offer and here he is back in the big leagues.

Millwood most recently spent time with the Red Sox, starting regularly for their Triple-A club. With no promotion fortcoming, Millwood opted out of his Red Sox contract last Friday. He hung out in Pawtucket for a few days considering his options. As he began to head home, he suddenly changed his plans after a call from his agent.

“I re-routed my flight to La Guardia and I am here,” Millwood said. (Troy Renck of the Denver Post)