Rockies Release Casey Blake...What the Dodgers Wouldn't Give Up Carlos Santana Again?

After a rough spring hitting just .150 for the Rockies, veteran third baseman Casey Blake was released today.  He was signed in the offseason as a potential stopgap to Nolan Arenado (who was sent down earlier this week to AA), but it just never clicked with the Rockies.  Third base will now be a battle between utilitymen Chris Nelson, Jonathan Herrera, Jordan Pacheco, and newcomers Brendan Harris and Brandon Wood.


MY THOUGHTS:  I am disappointed because I thought the Blake signing was one of the better free agent grabs of the offseason for the Rockies, but it was warranted.   Former first round pick Chris Nelson is probably the favorite to win the job, although there is some discussion of Michael Cuddyer moving to third with hot hitting Tyler Colvin getting the third outfield job next to Fowler and CarGo.  Both Pacheco and Herrera are both hitting well in Spring Training as well.  I hope Herrera doesn't win the job, because he hit lights out in 2011 Spring Training and won the 2B job, then promptly forgot how to hit once the season started.  I would really like to see Nelson get the job, because he has not really had a chance to prove himself at the major league level in a full time job.