The Alan Embree fan club can rest easy now, knowing that their favorite soft tossing lefty has found a new home high in the Rockie Mountains.

Embree's left arm will replace outgoing left hander Brian Fuentes, who is expected to leave town via free agency.

According to ESPN.com and several news services, the Colorado Rockies and Oakland Athletics appear to have a deal in place that will send Matt Holliday to the A's.

ESPN.com reports that:

Final details are being finalized, though the teams have agreed to terms, a baseball source told Olney. The source said the deal may not be finalized for up to 48 hours.

The deal is also pending completion of physical exams.

Although the package coming back to Colorado has yet to be determined, it's believed that pitcher Greg Smith was one of the players under discussion.

David Forst, Oakland's assistant general manager, declined to comment on the trade.

Last Season's Record: 90-73
108 Red Stitches Projected Finish: 1st NL West
Major Offseason Acquisitions:
- Jose Capellan: RHP
- Luis Vizcaino: RHP

Major Offseason Losses:
- Kazuo Matsui: 2B
- LaTroy Hawkins: RHP

The Rockies were the Cinderella Team of 2007, making the playoffs after tearing through the NL in the last month of the season. Barnstorming through the playoffs, the Rockies kept on winning until they met the Red Sox in the World Series.
A lot of the Rockies problems in the World Series had to do with the inexperience roster that the team put on the field. This year the Rockies are a little older and a little wiser, so look for them the win the NL West outright and by a large margin. Despite the rotation being a bit shaky after Francis and Cook, Colorado's lineup should mash opposing pitchers.
Talented youth seems to be a dime a dozen in Colorado. Some of their best position players will probably not break camp this year (see Stewart- Koshansky).
Matt Holiday is a perennial MVP candidate and if Brad Hawpe can figure out how to hit lefties, they'll be staring at another World Series appearance awfully soon.

Name: Ian Stewart
Organization: Colorado Rockies
Position: Third Base
Born: 4/5/1985
Bats: Left
Throws: Right
Drafted: 2003, 1st Round

Rotowire.com says that "The Rockies' top hitting prospect put together a strong season in Triple-A in 2007. He hit .304 with 15 home runs and 65 RBI in 112 games but he still strikes out too much (once every 4.5 at-bats).
Ian Stewart will be competing for the starting second base job this year, with the departure of Kaz Matsui opening up a hole in the infield. Naturally a third baseman, Stewart would be the Major's biggest second baseman (6'3'') if he wins the starting job.
Scout Magazine projects Stewart to be a 25 plus home run hitter in Coors Field, and should he win the starting job, a candidate for Rookie of the Year honors in 2008.
Fantasy wise, Stewart is a great option, hitting in Coors Field with a potent Rockie lineup. Colorado has also hinted at having Stewart start the season in Triple-A to get him regular at-bats, buying the Rockies time to figure out what to do with him.