Rockies trades...

As you probably know, the Rockies management said they'd pony up an additional $20 million to payroll this year. It looks like it's mostly going to go to Holliday, Hawpe, Atkins, Kaz and possibly a new centerfielder or addition to the bullpen.
Position by position, it looks like this:
Catcher: If Torrealba asks for a big pay increase, you gotta let him go; fact of the matter is that this is his peak right here and you can optimistically expect the same numbers out of him next year. Iannetta, on the other hand, should get more games but isn't completely ready for starting every game yet. I like the rumor of getting Lo Duca but lets please forget about Barrett.
First: Helton's not going anywhere.
Second: If Kaz wants $3 million (2X 2007) it might be a good idea to do it or maybe trade him for a sweet bullpen guy. And with Ian Stewart doing fall instructional ball to become a 2nd baseman, it might not be the worst thing in the world if Kaz was traded.
Short: T3 (Troy Trever Tulowitzki) could quite possibly be the most underpaid ($381k) future star anywhere; lucky Rox. They definitely have to keep him here in CO as long as possible; he could easily be to the Rox what Jeter is to NY.
Third: Atkins isn't going anywhere; although will get a lot more $.
Left: This, Holliday, is where the majority of that $20 million is going. His salary should likely be up around A-Rod's and Zito's but here's thing: unless he gets traded to the BoSux or Mets, his chances of seeing another world series any time soon are not good. We'll see if Boras decides to screw over this Rox 'story-book' teams in the MLB which could easily turn into a dynasty team consistently making the playoffs (reminiscent of the 90's Braves). If I were Boras, I'd let the Rox payup for 1 more year (at a discounted 'Rox price') to show the baseball world that Holliday is capable of more amazing things than what we've seen and then at the end of '08 do it again (Rox discount) or possibly get a $200 mill. 7 yr contract somewhere else that he probably deserves.
Center: if Seth Smith could play center, the Rox would have it made in the shade and it would be a good idea to buy season tickets now to avoid the World Series fiasco the Rox management will deal with again next year. What will likely happen though is Spily, Taveras or Sully will stay in this position.
Right: Hawpe will have to fend off Seth Smith with some amazing defense and offense; IF the Rox were to trade Hawpe for an amazing bullpen guy that wouldn't be the worst thing though but Hawpe will likely stay in right albeit for a higher price tag.

Starters: Aaron Cook's a little overpriced now and with a $4.5 million option in '08 he might be a little more overpriced.
Keep Francis, Morales, Jimenez and Hirsh at whatever costs though. Fogg never was too impressive and seemed to me to be the luckiest pitcher in baseball. Wouldn't be worse thing in world to see him leave.

Bullpen: This is where the real fun begins. Corpas isn't going anywhere; Herges should be re-signed (he's got the 'experience' element much needed); Hawkins won't get his big big bucks but should come back nonetheless. Flip a coin on Affeldt as he'll either amaze or disappoint, hard to say which. Fuentes is the main question mark. I personally think we saw the start of Fuentes' downfall this year; you never knew which Fuentes would show up but it would either be the super-amazing Fuentes of years ago who made it to the All-Star game without question, or it would be the Fuentes who threw meat-balls (like those to the Sox). I would trade him away for another bullpen guy or another starter.

There you go, there is definite potential for the Rox to come back better than '07 (believe it or not) but at the same time the Rox could easily go back to their '05-06 ways if they don't play things right.
We'll see I suppose.
Mendoza 5280 (hopeful reasons to buy '08 season tix)