Rockies Talking To Brad Lidge

10:58pm: “It’s no secret that Brad would be comfortable in Colorado if something can be worked out,” agent Rex Gary tells Troy Renck. “He has no timetable. A lot of things are important to him. Colorado is home and geography is certainly a factor he will weigh heavily.”  Gary reiterated that Lidge isn't insisting on a closing job with his new club and is open to other bullpen roles.

6:42pm: The Rockies have had discussions with Brad Lidge's representatives, reports Troy Renck of the Denver Post (Twitter link).  The Rockies have been mentioned as a natural landing spot for Lidge, given that Lidge grew up in nearby Englewood, Colorado and (according to Renck) still has a home in the state.  The Rockies are also in the market for bullpen help after trading Huston Street.  An experienced closer like Lidge would either be a nice complement to Rafael Betancourt or could supplant Betancourt entirely as the club's preferred ninth-inning option.

Lidge, who turns 35 next week, had his contract bought out by $1.5MM in October by the Phillies, who preferred the buyout to picking up Lidge's $12.5MM option for 2012.  The Phils also declined to offer Lidge salary arbitration, so Philadelphia won't get a compensatory draft pick should Lidge (a Type B free agent) sign elsewhere.  The veteran right-hander posted a 1.40 ERA last season but was limited to just 19 1/3 innings due to a rotator cuff injury. 

In addition to the Rockies, the Red Sox and Mets have also been connected to Lidge this winter.