Larry Walker looks to head to Arizona in a trade that would bring Matt Williams to the Rockies--if Williams voids his "no trade" clause. (There are others from the D-Backs involved, but my source forgot to write down their names...)

~Adam

First baseman Erubiel Durazo, outfielder David Dellucci and reliever Bret Prinz are the other players who would head to Colorado.

I first thought that this was a dumb trade for the D-Backs. I thought they were giving up way too much for a 35 y/o with gimpy knees.

But looking more closely ... Matt Williams is washed up, so that looks like it was just a contract drop. The D-Backs apparently lost faith in reliever Bret Prinz, so he's a mere throw in. So the trade is Erubiel Durazo (who, for some reason, the D-Backs flat out refuse to make a starting first baseman) and cute little David Delucci. Durazo, a pinch hitter and fill-in, and a part time outfielder, all for whatever Larry Walker has left in the tank.

Looks like a fair talent exchange.

Except ... what do the Rockies need with Durazo? Todd Helton will be their first baseman for the next 10-15 years. Even if the D-Backs or the Rocks don't want him to be a starter, Durazo would be an upgrade for several teams, like the A's and the Phillies.

I don't think all of the players set in motion by this trade have reached their ultimate destinations for 2003.

I am so glad to see Walker going, his selfish play has hurt the Rockies more than he has helped them.

He always seems to be hurt when the Rockies are in a slump, and when the bats are hot, there he is right in the middle of it. He has a poor attitude and needed to go!

[quote]He always seems to be hurt when the Rockies are in a slump, and when the bats are hot, there he is right in the middle of it.

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Doesn't this, on the face of it, seem to prove the opposite of your point? Perhaps it's his hot hitting that helps the other hitters get hot, and the fact that he gets hurt causes the team to slump?

well to try and make my point clearer. Walker has been rumored to exagerate his injuries to stay away from the blame when the team is on the skids.

[quote]Originally posted by Charlie in the Trees:
Except ... what do the Rockies need with Durazo? Todd Helton will be their first baseman for the next 10-15 years. Even if the D-Backs or the Rocks don't want him to be a starter, Durazo would be an upgrade for several teams, like the A's and the Phillies.

I don't think all of the players set in motion by this trade have reached their ultimate destinations for 2003.

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Most definitely agree with you here, Charlie. Durazo would be traded somewhere to be a first baseman and/or DH. And what about Matt Williams, with Todd Zeile in Colorado as well? Haven't heard any speculation about Zeile since the rumors of the Walker-for-Williams-et-al trade started. There will be a lot of platooning in the Rockies outfield, so Delucci would fit in there. And the Rockies can always use another reliever, after all it is Colorado. Not a bad trade for either team, and I hope it works out.

The trade has fallen through. The D-backs GM didn not say why but said that later today the team will make a statement.

Apparently both Williams and Walker had no-trade clauses, and they both declined to waive that clause. Walker wanted 7% interest on any deferred salary, while Williams did not want to uproot his three children or leave them for half the year.

Well, at least Matt Williams has a noble reason. As for Walker and his 7 percent, well.....