Hirsh and Buchholz' roles on the Rockies

[Reuben]

Not sure if someone has noted this already, but now that the Rockies have traded for Rodrigo Lopez,
"With four starters back from last season -- right-hander Aaron Cook, left-hander Jeff Francis and back-of-the-rotation righties Byung-Hyun Kim and Josh Fogg -- Lopez joining the additions from the Astros and the possible signing of Lawrence, O'Dowd believes the Rockies have strengthened themselves."  The Link

Seemed a bit odd to me that a rebuilding team like CO would trade for a guy like Lopez, effectively locking both Hirsh AND Buchholz out of a rotation spot...seems to support the Rockie viewpoints overheard at Alkie's fancy dinner - i.e. that they really don't expect much from either pitcher. They would rather trade for the 31-year-old guy who posted a 5.90 ERA last year.

Then again, I guess it's possible that they're really planning to use Lopez and/or another guy in the pen, and that writer just doesn't know what he's talking about. Anyway.

[Alkie]

The Rockie Assistant GM was clear about it...they had no expectations whatsoever for either of the pitchers.  

This guy had no intention whatsoever of starting either of those fellars in a ML uni this season.  He didn't say it like that, but it was obvious.  His tone said "look, we got some nice pieces to trade later for a guy who we never thought in a million years would re-sign with us at the end of the year."

And that the kid who is heading up Latin American operations for the RedSox got the job because he's the son of the agent who was eating with the Ass.GM and he spoke Spanish.  I shit you not.  Apparently this agent's son was good pals with Theo.

Tal Smith once asked me who was currently pitching for the Astros during a Spring Training game.  Can I head up the Astros Academy in Cayman?