December 2009
Rox take new look at Tim Redding
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.
The Ian Stewart era is here
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.
Talks heat up with catchers; Capps to narow suitors
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.
Matt Capps a possible target
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.
Atkins the only Rockies non-tender
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.
Catching competition is a good thing
Yorvit Torrealba wants to stay with the Rockies. The Rockies want him. A two-year deal in the $5 million to $5.5 million range is close to happening, possibly as soon as today.
The Rockies have stated that they want Chris Iannetta to add high average to his proven power, and hope to sign him to a multi-year deal to show how much they want that to happen. However, manager Jim Tracy doesn’t sound like a man who is going to just give Iannetta the catching job and not give Torrealba a chance to be the man again.
You know what? I like competition,” Tracy said Wednesday. ”When you’re a good baseball team and you have interest in being a
good baseball team consistently year in and year out, I don’t like the term entitlement or the sense of it to filter into our clubhouse.
Betancourt to take his time … Multiyear deal possible?
Players have until midnight tonight to accept or reject arbitration offers from their teams, and we’re hearing that Rockies righty reliever Rafael Betancourt may take until the last minute. His representatives are talking with four or five teams that are interested, but any team that signs him will have to give up an early pick in the 2010 Draft because Betancourt is a Type A free agent.
It’s been reported that Betancourt rejected a two-year deal from the Rockies. We hear today that he “temporarily” rejected the Rockies’ offer. It’s not beyond the realm of possibility that Betancourt ends up with the Rockies’ multi-year offer.
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