The Rockies' signing of right-hander Tim Redding to a Minor League conract with an invitation to Major League camp gives the pitching staff a much-needed veteran reinforcement.

The Rockies go into Spring Training with a rotation already penciled -- left-handers Jeff Francis and Jorge De La Rosa, and right-handers Aaron Cook, Ubaldo Jimenez and Jason Hammel. But that apple cart could be upset if Francis needs extra time early in the year, after missing last year because of shoulder surgery, or one of the others is hurt or struggles.

Redding, 32, provides an experienced option. If he pitches well and makes the club, he could fill the role the club envisioned for Jose Contreras, who instead signed with the Phillies. After Redding, the most-experienced option is lefty Greg Smith, who missed last season with various illnesses and ailments. Smith threw 190 1/3 innings as a rookie with the Athletics in 2008.

Rockies possible target Derrick Turnbow is expected to announce a decision within 48 hours. Turnbow, who has battled injuries and a lack of command and hasn't appeared in the Majors since 2008, had a recent workout that 20 of the 28 teams that were invited attended. He showed good enough velocity to have several teams want to negotiate further. The Rockies also have expressed interest in star closer Eric Gagne, who also is making a comeback.

The Rockies hope by Wednesday to complete talks with veteran catcher Paul Lo Duca on a Minor League contract with an invitation to Major League Spring Training, Rockies player development director Marc Gustafson acknowledged Tuesday.

Lo Duca, who turns 38 on April 12, is a four-time All-Star whodid not play in the Majors last season. He split 2008 with the Nationals and the Marlins (.243, no home runs, 15 RBIs in 67 games).The Rockies are looking for bench help, and Lo Duca has played first base and the outfield in addition to catcher. Lo Duca played for Rockies manager Jim Tracy with the Dodgers a few years back.

The Rockies have been seeking a right-handed hitter to handle a reserve role and play multiple positions. Other candidates are Melvin Mora, Fernando Tatis and Robb Quinlan. The club also has entertained the idea of re-signing left-handed hitter Jason Giambi if he doesn't land in the American League as a designated hitter.

The Rockies increased their power quotient at the catching position by signing Miguel Olivo to a one-year deal with a club option for 2011. Olivo, 31, who hit 23 homers and drove in 65 runs while hitting .249 for the Royals last year, and has finished the last four years in double figures in homers, joins Chris Iannetta. The Rockies signed Iannetta, who has 34 homers the last two seasons, to a three-year deal last month.

Olivo became a possibility when the Rockies and Yorvit Torrealba could not agree on a two-year deal. Torrealba had been with the Rockies -- as the on-again, off-again No. 1 catcher -- since 2006, and was a major factor in the team's trip to the World Series in 2007 and the playoffs in 2009.

Olivo, 31, enhanced his defensive reputation last year by catching 31 of American league Cy Young Award winner Zack Greinke's 33 starts. Olivo also caught Rockies pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez's 10-strikeout, four-inning game for the Dominican Republic against The Netherlands in last year's World Baseball Classic.

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One Rockies free agency target, right-handed reliever Matt Capps, reportedly is leaning to the Nationals. But when news of the Rockies' interest in Capps came to light, general manager Dan O'Dowd said the club was looking at a variety of pitchers. According to a Major League source, one is right-hander Tim Redding. The Rockies pursued Redding last year, but he signed a one-year, $2 million deal with the Mets.

Redding had foot surgery after the 2008 season and didn't become active until May. He went 3-6 with a 5.10 ERA in 30 games, including 17 starts. With the Rockies, Redding would offer insurance for the starting rotation or give the bullpen length and experience.

Ian Stewart's time at third base for the Rockies actually arrived last season, but with Garrett Atkins now officially with the Orioles, there is no question that third belongs to Stewart.

The Rockies made Stewart a first-round pick expecting him to be a key part of the lineup. They've seen pieces of what Stewart can provide. In 2008, after a slow start, Stewart hit .270 with seven home runs and 36 RBIs in his last 63 games. Last season, Stewart dipped to .228 but hit 25 homers and drove in 78 runs.

Jim Tracy believes there is more.

"We got power out of Ian Stewart, but, especially when he gave me a glimpse of what it could look like if he figures out the word consistency and how to become that, I don't view this guy as a .220 hitter," Tracy said.

To truly be a difference-maker, Steart has to hit left-handed pitchers with consistency. In 2009, he hit .178, but five of his 18 hits were home runs. But he hit .370, with four home runs and 17 RBIs, against lefties in 2008.

It could work for all parties. Atkins has a chance for regular duty at the infield corners or as a designated hitter, rather than as a pinch-hitter. Atkins went 4-for-24 as a pinch-hitter. The Rockies are going after players who have played multiple positions or come off the bench before to replace Atkins.

Nothing is happening between the Rockies and catcher Yorvit Torrealba. That $400,000 gap doesn't seem to be getting any narrower. Dan O'Dowd, the Rockies' general manager, acknowledges talking to Miguel Olivo -- the No. 1 alternative -- Josh Bard and others on the market.

"We're working our way through the process with a number of catchers out there, so I wouldn't say we're any farther along than we were a week ago," said O'Dowd, who said there is simply a "difference of opinion" between the Rockies and Torrealba that can't be bridged at this time. That at least leaves the door open for Torrealba.

Also, righty reliever Matt Capps' agent, who found himself fielding multiple suitors, said Capps will narrow the list to the five most-serious. The Rockies have definite interest, since current Rockies skipper Jim Tracy managed Capps in Pittsburgh.

By the way, former Rockies fan favorite utility man Jamey Carroll reached an agreement with the Dodgers. O'Dowd said the Rockies were not necessarily looking for a glove man.

An interesting bullpen target has emerged for the Rockies -- former Pirates closer Matt Capps. Rockies manager Jim Tracy helped mold Capps into a closer.

Capps' agent said there is "mutual interest" between the Rockies and Capps, but about nine teams are interested.

Capps is available because the Pirates non-tendered him in a surprise move on Saturday night. The move was contract-driven, The Pirates didn't want to risk losing an arbitration case and paying a high dollar figure. But Capps didn't show the fastball command he showed in past seasons.

However, Capps didn't lose any velocity, so the belief is he is capable of regaining past effectiveness. With the Rockies already set with Huston Street as closer and having some good arms in setup roles -- Rafael Betancourt, Manuel Corpas and Franklin Morales -- Capps would not be under ninth-inning pressure.

It could be a good fit. However, dollars will be a huge factor. Other teams have roles later in the game, and could outbid the Rockies.

As expected, the Rockies parted ways with third baseman Garrett Atkins, who struggled to .226 batting average and lost his starting position to Ian Stewart in 2009. Atkins was the only arbitration-eligible Rockies player the club did not tender a contract offer before Saturday's 10 p.m. deadline or doing so.

The Rockies will turn their attention to players to fill a bench role, one Atkins fell into last season. The Rockies are looking at right-handed hitters Jamey Carroll, Nick Green, Melvin Mora and Fernando Tatis and Robb Quinlan, and probably will see some more on the market. Left-handed hitters Jason Giambi, who helped the team down the stretch last season, and Chad Tracy also intrigue the Rockies.

This is not to say that things are falling apart in the Rockies-Yorvit Torrealba talks, but there has been no movement this far today. The Rockies have a soild idea of what they want to spend. Torrealba's reps still are testing the market to make sure what he signs is of proper value. So this may take awhile. It's still most likely that Torrealba will sign, but the Rockies see Miguel Olivo and Josh Bard as other options.

But Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd allowed that retaining Torrealba, who has been with the club since 2006, and Iannetta beyond this year is important to the Rockies. The Rockies are negotiating with Iannetta, who is eligible for arbitration, on a multi-year deal.

"It's a position that we look at maybe a little differently," O'Dowd said. "The continuity of what you get with your pitching staff ... If you keep going year-to-year, you have to learn the staff. The relationships are so valuable."