Brad Hawpe released by the Rockies

Mets get him please

quote:

---

The Angels need him bad.

---

quote:

---

Hopefully he will get picked up by a contender.

---

Just like D. Lee

he's one of the worst, if not the worst outfielder in the league. he's having a subpar season and has a nice chunk of change remaining on his contract is my guess

quote:

---

What was their incentive to release him?

---

Per Denver Post:

one of the Rockies' most accomplished sluggers...Hawpe, 31, becomes a free agent and is attracting interest from the Texas Rangers, who employ former Rockies manager Clint Hurdle as their hitting coach.

....potential fits include the Chicago White Sox and Boston Red Sox.

....an 11th-round pick in the 2000 draft, evolved from a top prospect to a 2009 all-star to a respected team leader

Teammates.....appreciated how Hawpe handled the growing uncertainty and his reduced role.

"He's a class act. You find out a lot about people through adversity and he could not have dealt with this any better," said veteran first baseman Todd Helton. "He never once pouted, complained or whined. He's a pro."

.....roughly $2.1 million left on his contract.

The Rockies are responsible for the remainder of Hawpe's contract, less any salary from his new team.

Hawpe started off well this season, landed on the disabled list with a leg injury and began hitting again in June before running into a retaining wall in Anaheim, Calif., hurting his ribs.

"He has been a very special player for this organization. It's difficult to even talk about, given the respect I have for Brad," said Rockies manager Jim Tracy.

quote:

---

he deserves to go to a better team.

---

Yeah, because the Rockies are perennial losers.

Rangers baby! He lives in the Arlington area and I saw in The Sporting News that the Rangers were his favorite team growing up.