Archive for January 2011

The remaining free-agent targets of the Colorado Rockies — pitchers Rodrigo Lopez and Mark Hendrickson — have agreed to minor-league contracts with other teams.

The Colorado Rockies were expected to make a significant move in the outfield during the offseason, but the only news they made was unexpectedly locking up one of their outfielders for seven more years.

Enrique Rojas of ESPNDeportes.com reports that the Colorado Rockies have agreed to a contract extension with reliever Rafael Betancourt that will keep him with the team in 2012 and includes a mutual option for 2013.

In Dave Krieger’s column today he quoted Charlie Monfort saying the following regarding how the new spring training facilty may help the Rockies start the season stronger than in the past.

“I also think it will help that we’re in Scottsdale for spring training. We don’t have to travel as much. We get all the top quality players coming to our place to play. Down in Tucson, we’d see the Double-A guys, the Triple-A guys. But now that you get to see the front-liners, I think we come out of the chute …

Samuel Deduno, a 27-year-old right-hander who had been in the Colorado Rockies organization since 2003, was designated for assignment Jan. 24 when the team acquired pitcher Clayton Mortenson from the Oakland Athletics.

MLBTradeRumors.com reports that former Colorado Rockies reliever Joe Beimel turned down major-league offers, including one two-year offer, to sign a minor-league deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates that includes an invitation to spring training.

The Colorado Rockies reached a deal with third baseman Ian Stewart, the team’s last remaining arbitration-eligible player, that could reach $2.35 million with incentives.

Already the easiest position to project for the Colorado Rockies, the team managed to remove all drama from shortstop for the next decade by signing Troy Tulowizki to an extension that runs through at least 2020.

With the Colorado Rockies in need of power behind Carlos Gonzalez and Troy Tulowitzki, the spotlight will be on third baseman Ian Stewart, who the team hopes will benefit from the presence of a hitting coach who knows him well.

In his story about the Colorado Rockies agreeing to minor-league deals with Alfredo Amezaga and catcher Chad Moeller, MLB.com’s Thomas Harding reports the Rockies are negotiating with starting pitcher and former Rockie Rodrigo Lopez.

The Colorado Rockies announced on their Twitter feed that the team has signed Alfredo Amezaga to a minor-league deal that includes an invitation to spring training.

I know it’s early, which makes it all the more fun as most of us are greatly anticipating ST let alone the season, but whom are you thinking will make the 25 man roster?
Here’s my thoughts:
Opening Day Starters -
C – Chris Iannetta
1B – Todd Helton
2B – Jose Lopez
3B – Ian Stewart
SS – Troy Tulowitzki
LF – Carlos Gonzalez
CF – Dexter Fowler
RF – Seth Smith
Reserves -
Ryan Spilborghs
Jonathan Herrera
Ty Wigginton
Jose Morales
Someone not yet signed by the Rockies
Rotation
Ubaldo Jimenez
Jorge De La Rosa
Aaron Cook
Jhoulys Chacin
Jason Hammel
Bullpen
Huston Street
Rafael Betancourt
Matt Reynolds
Felipe Paulino
Franklin Morales
Matt Lindstrom
Franklin Morales
I also believe …