The Rockies are not looking to trade right fielder Brad Hawpe, according to Tracy Ringolsby of Inside The Rockies. Ringolsby talked to Rockies GM Dan O'Dowd, who said, "We have no desire to move [Hawpe] at all."
The Rockies are not under pressure to unload Hawpe's contract, which pays $7.5MM in 2010 with a $10MM club option for '11 ($500K buyout). Cot's Baseball Contracts notes that Hawpe can void the option if traded. Ringolsby says the Rockies would trade Hawpe only if they "received a solid return, such as the Matt Holliday trade last off-season."
O'Dowd had to stomp out Hawpe rumors in June also. At that time, he told Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post:
"I don't know where any of that came from. I don't foresee us doing anything with him. That's something you would only do strategically, for the big picture. That would be something for the offseason, if at all."
Hawpe, 30, has a strong offensive track record over the past four seasons, but his defense has been detrimental. Over the past few weeks we've seen and contributed to speculation that Hawpe could be a fit for the Cubs, Mets, and Red Sox.
