The Rockies officially signed Melvin Mora to a one-year deal worth $1.3MM today. It became clear that Colorado was a finalist for Mora's services when Orlando Cabrera signed with the Reds.
Mora, who turned 38 this week, hit .260/.321/.358 for the Orioles last year with eight homers. He spent all of his time at third base last year, where his defense was slightly above average, according to UZR/150. He has experience at all three outfield positions, short and second, too. The Rockies figure to use Mora at third, short and second to spell Ian Stewart, Troy Tulowitzki and Clint Barmes.
Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com broke the news before adding the salary details, both via Twitter.
Mike Axisa contributed to this post.
I can’t imagine how he’s going to get 300 at-bats on the Rockies. In terms of Pinch hitting, Giambi bats against righties while Mora bats against lefties. The Rockies have a lot of faith in Ian Stewart and Tulo and we have to think that Eric Young Jr. plays when Barmes doesnt.
I’m interested to see how he’ll do under such vastly different conditions.
He’s a solid veteran presence.
Yeah, he is that.
Mora isnt being added to get 400 abs or anything like that, like SPAN said he is a solid veteran presence who will spell Stewart at 3rd and possibly barmes at 2nd but dont be surprised if EYJ is in Triple-A on and off so that the Rox can carry an extra arm in the pen because if you have EYJ, Mora, and Giambi all infield reserves plus Spilly and Smith as OF reserves, thats a lot to carry on your bench, leaving the pen a little dry and all great teams have at least 2 or 3 solid starters and a great pen to close cames(except for phili last yr lol more power to em) and Other than that, he is just to add depth….will probably the #1 guy against lefties late in games but also im sure we will see him come in on double switches etc. But i do agree with you Infield Fly, it will be interesting to see how he fairs not playing everyday…i hear hes a great guy and great guy to have in the clubhouse so i see him taking quite it well.
I really have hopes for that because I noticed how much he chafed at no longer being in the O’s plans, and his obvious desire to continue as an everyday player although the numbers indicate he has crossed a threshold. However, if he is as resilient and positive as you’ve heard, then everybody should benefit from their new “tío” Melvin – and his wealth of experience.
This is just what i have heard…i havent really followed the O’s very close so i couldn’t tell you that, that is totally true…i do know he is very competative and loves to win (as are most players that work hard), but we will see, i really hope he doesn’t screw up some of the chemistry in the clubhouse because that is one thing the Rox are known for, is having an outstanding clubhouse with a ton of chemistry….so everytime a player that comes in from a team where he was an all-star starter can lead to bad things but everything i have heard is good but we will see as the season progresses…it will be something to really pay attention to.
Yup…”to be continued” as the season progresses.
Should have saved the money and put it towards a better full-time 2B.
I love this signing for the Rockies! Add this player to the list of players the Marlins have missed out on this offseason! I can see him putting up nice numbers in Colorado
It is a very good signing! If he gets a shot to have 400 ABs we could see him put up some very nice numbers.
If Latrell Sprewell can’t feed his children off of 21 million, how is Melvin Mora going to feed his 6 kids off of 1.3 million??
haha maybe because Sprewell spent too much time and money on getting spinning rims named after him lol and im sure Mora is as big of moron as Sprewell was!
hahahaha I didn’t know about the rims, that’s almost as bad as that bronze statue Pudge has of himself
hahaha it is definitely right there with the whole pudge thing!