Rockies Offseason

[love_that_reefer]

The Rockies could announce the re-signings of Yorvit Torrealba and Matt Herges on Thursday.
Both were in town for physicals on Wednesday, the Denver Post reports. There were rumors that the Brewers were the other finalists for Herges, but they denied being interested.

The Rockies are close to re- signing veteran Mark Redman and are trying to finalize a deal for veteran Steve Trachsel. The Rockies' projected rotation going into spring training would be Aaron Cook, Jeff Francis, Ubaldo Jimenez, Franklin Morales and Jason Hirsh.

The Rockies best not giving a deal to Torrealba like the Mets were about to. 3 yrs/$9 mil would be as far as I would go. Looks they are going two years/$7 mil so its a lot smarter than the Mets offer. Herges had a good year and they need help in the pen because they don't look like they are bringing back Hawkins or Affeldt.

Its OK to have back up plans for these young starters but they best not start over them. These best not be more than minor league deals for Redman and Trachsel.

[love_that_reefer]

Yorvit Torrealba's two-year contract with the Rockies is worth $7.25 million in guaranteed money.
Torrealba will get a $500,000 signing bonus before making $2.75 million in 2008 and $3.5 million in 2009, and the deal also includes a $4 million mutual option for 2010 that can be bought out for $500,000. He ends up losing about $7 million in guaranteed money thanks to the Mets backing out of their deal for him.

Much better deal than the Mets and for a year less. Good signing.

[browntown653]

The Rockies have their eyes on: '

* 2B Chris Burke, Houston: Was Rockies target in Jason Jennings trade a year ago, but they took Willy Taveras instead. Expendable now that Astros signed Kazuo Matsui.

* LHP Mark Redman: Made impact in final weeks of 2007 season with Rockies. Would give team a veteran left-handed long reliever, spot starter if he re-signs.

* RHP Steve Trachsel: Free agent has expressed interest in coming to Rockies, aware that he could be a right-handed complement to Redman.

* LHP Will Ohman, Cubs: Ponderosa High School graduate could fill a left-handed middle reliever void in Rockies bullpen.

* LHP Chris Capuano, Brewers: Struggled the last two seasons but is durable and is left-handed.

Burke is a decent 2B and Capuano is worth a gamble IMO. I don't know what any of the other three players do to improve this team though.

[love_that_reefer]

Rockies are better off putting Stewart at second than trading for Burke.

[love_that_reefer]

Sources told FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal that the Rockies are moving closer to signing Aaron Cook to a three-year, $30 million extension.
The proposal, first reported by the Denver Post, would lock up Cook through 2011.

Jesus Christ!! Now Aaron Cook is worth $10/yr? He made $3 mil last year!!

[BuckFoston]

Chacon could return to his old team...

The Rockies likely will increase their pursuit of free agents Shawn Chacon and Luis Vizcaino, the man Hawkins is expected to replace in the Yankees' bullpen. Chacon has said he would be comfortable as a reliever with the Rockies. However, Chacon has drawn significant interest as a starter, so a one-year deal might not be able to lure him either.

[love_that_reefer]

Marcus Giles' agent said Tuesday that the Rockies "have had ongoing talks" with his client.
"We are going to do everything we can to make something happen in Colorado," agent Joe Bick said. "There are other teams involved, but Colorado represents a great opportunity." Going from pitcher-friendly Petco Park to hitter-friendly Coors Field would be an interesting experiment for Giles, who needs to rebuild his value after struggling mightily with the Padres last season. If he signs with the Rockies, Giles would have a leg up on the starting job at second base over in-house options Jayson Nix, Ian Stewart, Jeff Baker and Omar Quintanilla.

Stewart and Baker can do a lot better job offensively than Giles. Rockies could offer a minor league deal but wouldn't go any higher than that.

[realmofotalk]

If their goal is to keep Ian Stewart in the minors, it wouldn't hurt our feelings.

[love_that_reefer]

Sure wouldn't mofo. Maybe they could trade him to the Giants and replace Feliz at third

The Rockies are close to signing free agent Josh Towers to a one-year contract that could pay him $1.8 million plus incentives, MLB.com reports.

More guaranteed money for mediocrity. At least they'd apparently only have to pay Towers $400,000 if he's cut in spring training under the terms of this deal. The $1.8 million figure would be guaranteed only if he begins the season on the 25-man roster. The Rockies should still be hoping Franklin Morales wins a rotation spot, but it's hard to see them putting Kip Wells in the pen and cutting Mark Redman and Towers unless the young left-hander is completely lights out in March.

Good lord what the **** are the Rockies thinking? Wells, Redman and Towers in Colorado is just going to be hilarious.

[love_that_reefer]

The Rocky Mountain News reports that the Rockies have agreed to terms with Marcus Giles, formerly of the Padres, on a one-year contract.
The deal is said to be non-guaranteed and pending a physical, which shows how far Giles' stock has fallen after a horrible season in San Diego. Giles will compete with Jayson Nix and several other young players for the starting job at second base. Choosing Coors Field as the place to kick start his career is a smart move, but Giles is far from a good fantasy bet.

I say he doesn't make the team out of Spring Training. Giles could get his stock up in Coors but the Rockies have better options than Giles.

[catman]

I say he doesn't make the team out of Spring Training. Giles could get his stock up in Coors but the Rockies have better options than Giles.

We'll see. Last season could have been just one of those seasons for Giles and he could be lights out again. Or, he could be completely washed up, in which case it will be very apparent before the club breaks camp and goes back "north".
Could he be a Colorado Springs roster filler?