http://www.denverpost.com/Stories/0,1413,3...1928619,00.html

 

Rockies should have kept options open with Oliver

By Mike Klis

Denver Post Sports Writer

 

 

One time in school, the geometry teacher thoroughly explained how a problem reached its solution, and when the student in the back row still didn't get it, the teacher made one more try, using an alternative line of reasoning.

 

Eventually, the teacher surrendered, which was fine to the student in the back row, because as it turned out, the smart kid sitting next to him had the answer, anyway.

 

There was something about the Rockies' inability to re-sign Darren Oliver that made me think of my geometry class and that smart kid this week.

 

There were timing issues and easy-to-understand financial constraints that explain why the Rockies won't have Oliver back to stabilize their shaky rotation in 2004. And Oliver had sound, logical reasons for believing his 13 wins in 2003 would be worth more on the free-agent market than the $750,000 the Rockies offered him in late August.

 

But when the defending world champion, and Colorado expansion cousin, Florida Marlins signed Oliver this week for the same relative pittance of $750,000 the Rockies once offered, there was so much confusion, geometry seemed like a breeze.

 

As Rockies fans well know, it's not easy finding a pitcher, particularly a starting pitcher, who not only doesn't mind pitching half his games at Coors Field, but is pretty good at it. It took Oliver just one season in Colorado to become only the fifth Rockies pitcher to win at least 13 games while posting a winning record.

 

And he did this while starting the 2003 season on a 45-day contract and drawing nothing more than a near-minimum, $350,000 for the year.

 

Even for a team as financially burdened as the Rockies, it didn't make business sense to let Oliver get away for less than $1 million.

 

"We tried to bring Darren back," Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd said. "When we made him the offer in August that he eventually signed for, his agents let us know we were nowhere near the ballpark. We then offered to extend the arbitration deadline (of Dec. 7), which would have given us until Jan. 8 to re-sign him. And that was dismissed out of hand."

 

Although Oliver wasn't looking for the $19 million contract he enjoyed from 2000-02, it wasn't unreasonable for him to expect a two-year deal worth $3 million per. As the winter meetings convened in December, Oliver lowered expectations to one year and $2 million. He eventually turned down a $1 million offer from the Detroit Tigers partly because he hits too well to not pitch in the National League and partly because he preferred winning in Florida to losing in Detroit.

 

"You'd think 13 wins while pitching at Coors Field would be worth something," Oliver said. "But in the end, you're only worth as much as what a team will pay you. I'm still playing. I have no hard feelings towards the Rockies. I wish them well."

 

In the end, Oliver should have kept open the option of extending the deadline for negotiating with the Rockies. This would have given him a better read on his market. But it's also clear the Rockies needed just a tad more effort to stop their most consistent pitcher in 2003 from pitching for their expansion rivals in 2004. Clear as geometry.

http://www.denverpost.com/Stories/0,1413,3...1928619,00.html

 

Rockies should have kept options open with Oliver

By Mike Klis

Denver Post Sports Writer

 

 

One time in school, the geometry teacher thoroughly explained how a problem reached its solution, and when the student in the back row still didn't get it, the teacher made one more try, using an alternative line of reasoning.

 

Eventually, the teacher surrendered, which was fine to the student in the back row, because as it turned out, the smart kid sitting next to him had the answer, anyway.

 

There was something about the Rockies' inability to re-sign Darren Oliver that made me think of my geometry class and that smart kid this week.

 

There were timing issues and easy-to-understand financial constraints that explain why the Rockies won't have Oliver back to stabilize their shaky rotation in 2004. And Oliver had sound, logical reasons for believing his 13 wins in 2003 would be worth more on the free-agent market than the $750,000 the Rockies offered him in late August.

 

But when the defending world champion, and Colorado expansion cousin, Florida Marlins signed Oliver this week for the same relative pittance of $750,000 the Rockies once offered, there was so much confusion, geometry seemed like a breeze.

 

As Rockies fans well know, it's not easy finding a pitcher, particularly a starting pitcher, who not only doesn't mind pitching half his games at Coors Field, but is pretty good at it. It took Oliver just one season in Colorado to become only the fifth Rockies pitcher to win at least 13 games while posting a winning record.

 

And he did this while starting the 2003 season on a 45-day contract and drawing nothing more than a near-minimum, $350,000 for the year.

 

Even for a team as financially burdened as the Rockies, it didn't make business sense to let Oliver get away for less than $1 million.

 

"We tried to bring Darren back," Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd said. "When we made him the offer in August that he eventually signed for, his agents let us know we were nowhere near the ballpark. We then offered to extend the arbitration deadline (of Dec. 7), which would have given us until Jan. 8 to re-sign him. And that was dismissed out of hand."

 

Although Oliver wasn't looking for the $19 million contract he enjoyed from 2000-02, it wasn't unreasonable for him to expect a two-year deal worth $3 million per. As the winter meetings convened in December, Oliver lowered expectations to one year and $2 million. He eventually turned down a $1 million offer from the Detroit Tigers partly because he hits too well to not pitch in the National League and partly because he preferred winning in Florida to losing in Detroit.

 

"You'd think 13 wins while pitching at Coors Field would be worth something," Oliver said. "But in the end, you're only worth as much as what a team will pay you. I'm still playing. I have no hard feelings towards the Rockies. I wish them well."

 

In the end, Oliver should have kept open the option of extending the deadline for negotiating with the Rockies. This would have given him a better read on his market. But it's also clear the Rockies needed just a tad more effort to stop their most consistent pitcher in 2003 from pitching for their expansion rivals in 2004. Clear as geometry.

Seems like I remember reading how the Rockies owner ripped the Marlins a little while back for NOT treating their organization with class. Funny how their 13 game winner now signs for less than 1 mil with the Marlins, shunning the same owner that says the Marlins had a bittersweet victory. Proof positive that this was a great signing. :hat The champ

Darren Oliver will surprise all of us in a good way this year. If I am wrong, you can hold me to it...

Darren Oliver will surprise all of us in a good way this year. If I am wrong, you can hold me to it...

You won't be wrong. Oliver was a steal. A terrific signing and great insurance until AJ returns. :hat The champ

Hello everybody, Its SuperBowl Sunday and tommorrow starts the countdown to baseball and watching "OUR" defending World Champion Marlins. As far as Oliver this is a HUGE signing by the Marlins similar to the trade of Mark Redman last season and WILL have the same impact as Redman had on this team last season. Oliver will not only give the Marlins that fifth starter till AJ comes back, but will be a tutor and somewhat of a mentor to young Dontrelle. Both are very similar both are very good hitting pitchers which is always a BIG plus in NL, are both lefties. Bravo to the Marlins on another great signing.

 

A side note I won't be post much anymore. I'll still be around during the season...just not as much. Thanks for positive feedback, I really enjoy the run. As far as the insider thing goes, I'd nominate Ramp or dawg 31. Thanks again.

 

 

:marlins

He eventually turned down a $1 million offer from the Detroit Tigers partly because he hits too well to not pitch in the National League and partly because he preferred winning in Florida to losing in Detroit.

hmmm that sounds familiar ... to bad some people like losing i mean money.

He eventually turned down a $1 million offer from the Detroit Tigers partly because he hits too well to not pitch in the National League and partly because he preferred winning in Florida to losing in Detroit.

 

Great quote...