MLB BUZZ's posts tagged Colorado Rockies

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• Dodgers sign Redding to minor-league deal

  January 03, 2011 by JonPaulMorosi

  The Los Angeles Dodgers have signed right-handed starter Tim Redding to a minor-league contract, a source told FOXSports.com.
  
  Redding, who turns 32 next month, has been invited to the team’s big-league spring training.
  
  In 2010, Redding went 8-5 with a 2.89 ERA in 18 games (17 starts) between the Triple-A affiliates of the New York Yankees and Colorado Rockies.
  
  Redding’s most recent big-league appearances came with the New York Mets in 2009. During the 2008 season, he threw a career-high 182 innings for the Washington Nationals.

  — Jon Paul Morosi

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• Blue Jays, Pirates, Rays interested in Dotel

  December 22, 2010 by JonPaulMorosi

  The Toronto Blue Jays are still in pursuit of free-agent right-hander Octavio Dotel, and the Pittsburgh Pirates and Tampa Bay Rays are also involved, a major league source told FOXSports.com.

  Dotel pitched for the Pirates, Colorado Rockies and Los Angeles Dodgers this year and made 68 relief appearances – his second-highest total since 2004. So, it’s not surprising that Pittsburgh is interested in bringing him back.

  Meanwhile, the Rays and Blue Jays have seen their respective bullpens depleted by free agency. Neither team has an established closer. That could explain why Dotel, who recorded 22 saves this year, is appealing to them.

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• Rockies would be interested in Michael Young

  December 07, 2010 by TracyRingolsby

  If the Texas Rangers are serious about trading Michael Young, the Colorado Rockies are interested.

  The Rockies and Rangers have been in contact about the possibility of a deal involving Young, according to major league sources. If a deal were made, the Rockies would move Young back to second base.

  Texas is believed to be checking with numerous teams to see what kind of interest Young would generate on the trade market, and the Rangers have indicated that they'd assume a portion of the $48 million Young's guaranteed over the next three years.

  The Rockies and Rangers have had only initial contact on the matter. They haven't discussed players the Rockies would give up, nor have they dealt with how much of the remaining money on Young's contract the Rangers would pick up.

  Young does have the right to specify only eight teams to which he can be traded, and it's not known whether the Rockies are among the eight teams.

  -Tracy Ringolsby

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• Rockies land Wigginton

  December 07, 2010 by TracyRingolsby

  Colorado Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd spent the better part of last season trying to acquire versatile Ty Wigginton, but he never could satisfy the trade desires of the Baltimore Orioles.

  With Wigginton a free agent this offseason, O'Dowd finally got his man.

  The Rockies agreed on a contract with Wigginton in the early hours on Tuesday.

  The deal's guaranteed for two years, $7.5 million, including a $500,000 buyout for 2013.

  The Rockies don't have the everyday job Wigginton was hoping to find, but he has the type of versatility that could lead to plenty of playing time for a right-handed hitter on a team filled with left-handed bats.

  The Rockies' projected starters include left-handed hitters at first base (Todd Helton), third base (Ian Stewart), left field (Carlos Gonzalez) and right field (Seth Smith).

  In recent years, Wigginton's primarily played first and third base, but he's also seen time in the outfield and at second base. He'll be the second right-handed-hitting outfield option for the Rockies, behind Ryan Spilborghs, but the No. 1 option behind Helton and Stewart at first and third.

  The Rockies will continue to look for a backup catcher, with Bengie Molina and Ronny Paulino both candidates, and bullpen help. Jesse Crain, who grew up in Boulder, Colo., remains high on the Rockies' list of free-agent pitchers.

  Wigginton's hit more than 20 home runs in four of his past five seasons.

  -Tracy Ringolsby

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• Russell Martin Could Fit Rockies Need

  December 03, 2010 by TracyRingolsby

  Russell Martin's looking for a chance to re-establish his big-league career.

  The Colorado Rockies have the perfect opportunity for him.

  The Rockies are looking to add two right-handed hitters who have enough versatility that they can provide protection at the corner spots in the outfield, infield and behind the plate. They've been in touch this week with the agents for Martin, Ty Wigginton and Jeff Francouer.

  Martin would be an ideal option for the Rockies, whose manager Jim Tracy had a strong relationship with Martin when he managed the Dodgers. Martin, who wasn't tendered a contract by the Dodgers this week, is coming off a hip injury that limited his playing time in 2010.

  Primarily a catcher with the Dodgers, Martin's also played third base and could be given a look at first as well.

  Francouer would give the Rockies a right-handed power bat who's an excellent defensive outfielder with a strong arm, and he's athletic enough the Rockies feel he'd be comfortable as the backup to Todd Helton at first.

  Wigginton's played first, second, third and in the outfield at the big-league level.
  The Rockies are going to give Chris Iannetta a legitimate chance to claim the catching job, but want a backup they can project to play at least 60 games, and Martin’s ability to also play first and third would add to his playing opportunities.

  The projected starting lineup has left-handed hitters at the four corner spots — Todd Helton at first, Ian Stewart at third, Carlos Gonzalez in left field and Seth Smith in right. Gonzalez is also the backup to center fielder Dexter Fowler.

  Outfielder Ryan Spilborghs is the only experienced right-handed hitter current projected on the Rockies roster.

  -Tracy Ringolsby

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• Latest on Berkman

  December 02, 2010 by KenRosenthal

  The glut of first base/DH types on the open market isn’t preventing Lance Berkman from drawing serious early interest.

  Berkman, 34, met with Oakland A's officials Tuesday night in his hometown of Houston. He recently told FOXSports.com the Cubs also were one of eight teams to contact him, and mentioned the Rockies, Cardinals, Pirates and Blue Jays in an interview with the Houston Chronicle.

  While Berkman said his preference is the National League, the A’s wouldn't use him strictly as a DH. The team's open to him playing in left field, right field and first base while rotating their DHs, sources said.

  The Denver Post reported Wednesday night that the Rockies were strongly in the mix for Berkman. However, the team’s initial financial offer was “low,” according to a source.

  The A’s have identified Berkman as their No. 1 target. Geography could work against them, particularly if a team closer to Houston made a strong push. The Cubs could be that team. They're looking at both Berkman and Carlos Pena, sources say.

  Then again, if the A’s could pay Berkman enough while assuring him of enough playing time in the field, they'd appear to have a legitimate chance of signing him.

  Berkman wants to win and has noted the strength of the A’s pitching staff.

  -Ken Rosenthal

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• The surprise team on De La Rosa

  December 01, 2010 by KenRosenthal

  The Rockies had surprising competition from a National League West rival in their quest to re-sign free-agent left-hander Jorge De La Rosa.

  The Padres never actually made De La Rosa an offer but showed serious interest in the pitcher, major league sources said.

  De La Rosa, 29, would have joined righty Mat Latos and lefty Clayton Richard in the Padres’ rotation, giving the team a formidable front three.

  The idea of De La Rosa to the Padres didn't originate with the club; the pitcher’s camp made the initial overtures, sources said. De La Rosa would have been moving closer to his native Mexico and going from hitter-friendly Coors Field to pitcher-friendly Petco Park.

  He turned down a higher offer from at least one team, believed to be the Nationals, to re-sign with the Rockies for three years and $32 million. He was willing to give the Padres a similar discount, sources said.

  The Padres gave serious consideration to the notion but ultimately couldn't make the finances work.

  De La Rosa's new average salary of nearly $11 million would have amounted to nearly one-fourth of the Padres' payroll. And because he was a Type A free agent, the Padres would have forfeited their first-round draft pick, 25th overall, to sign him.

  The increased salary pressure almost certainly would have forced the Padres to trade first baseman Adrian Gonzalez. De La Rosa would have replaced Gonzalez as the team's leading Mexican-American player.

  A trade of Gonzalez, who will earn $5.5 million in the final year of his contract, still could happen.

  But it will not be because of De La Rosa.

  — Ken Rosenthal

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• De La Rosa close with Rockies

  November 29, 2010 by KenRosenthal

  For a while, Jorge De La Rosa seemed likely to wait on fellow free-agent lefty Cliff Lee, delaying his decision until the losers of the Lee sweepstakes could bid along with other clubs.

  As it turns out, De La Rosa will act sooner rather than later.

  The Rockies are close to re-signing De La Rosa to a three-year contract worth between $32 million and $33 million, according to major-league sources.

  De La Rosa's represented by Paul Cohen and Bobby Barad, the same agents who handle Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, who's agreed to a contract extension through 2020, sources said.

  The Rockies and Nationals had made offers to De La Rosa, and one or two other clubs were expected to submit proposals within the next 24 hours.

  However, De La Rosa's comfortable in Colorado and works well with pitching coach Bob Apodaca. His desire to stay with the team – combined with a strong financial offer – apparently convinced him to stay.

  The Pirates and Orioles are among the other teams that have expressed interest in De La Rosa, who played for the Pirates' new manager, Clint Hurdle, when Hurdle managed the Rockies.

  The Yankees also have checked in, as they do on most prominent free agents, but their priority is Lee.

  The Nationals' pursuit of De La Rosa was complicated by their efforts to sign hitters, most notably free-agent first baseman Carlos Pena. The Orioles, too, were working on parallel tracks for hitters.

  -Ken Rosenthal and Tracy Ringolsby

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