Rockies Rumors: Atkins, Holliday, Giles

Let’s see what’s going on with the Rockies this morning.

The Denver Post’s Troy E. Renck writes about the Rockies’ rising payroll.  They’re going to have to cough up over $10MM extra in 2008 just to retain current arbitration-eligible players like Garrett Atkins, Matt Holliday, Brian Fuentes, and Brad Hawpe.  Holliday might get the biggest bump, around a $5MM increase.  As far as team control, the Rox have Atkins through 2010, Holliday through 2009, Fuentes through 2008, and Hawpe through 2010.  There’s no rush but many of these guys might be trade considerations down the road.

Also, Tracy Ringolsby reports that the Rockies have agreed to a nonguaranteed deal with Marcus Giles.  He’s just insurance though – Jayson Nix is the favorite to play second base.  Nix’s Triple A performance in ’07 was equivalent to a .252/.290/.387 line in the bigs.