Trade Bait:  Todd Walker for Alex Ochoa

Todd Walker was touted as the next star in Minnesota a few years back, words said about the manager and poor production landed Todd in the Rockies organization.  He then took over the second base job for the Rockies on a full time basis until the next star would come along (presumably Brent Butler…not Bret).  Todd has put up good numbers this year (.298, 13 HR, 60 some RBIs) and is a tempting player for Cincinnati who has to play Pokey at short with Larkin’s legs giving up on him.

Alex Ochoa is the type of player that I have loved for years.  I have watched him since his days with the Mets.  If I could have a team full of players that hit .300 with about 20 dingers and very good speed (along with good pitching), I would have a definite contender.  Ochoa only has seven homers this year, but last year his OPS was incredible for a forth outfielder and was on pace for over 20 homers. 

On paper this looks like a good trade for the Reds, Walker looks to have more pop in his bat and power is an interestingly growing commodity in the majors at his position.  Yet how did Walker do outside of Coors?  With a .230 average,  .300 OBP and .326 slugging percentage it gets scary.  A .626 OPS is not a tempting number to look at.  He should do a little better than those numbers (about .750 OPS) the rest of the year. 

Ochoa on the other hand should flourish, much like Jeffrey Hammonds, in Coors.  He also has the speed that the Rockies needs with Hollandsworth out.  Rockies took this trade, but Walker should be a decent player for the Reds though.

The Dye/Perez/Prospects three-way trade with Oakland and Kansas City improved the second base position for the Rockies for years to come.  Oakland’s Jose Ortiz will be a star at the position once he learns some strike-zone discipline.