The Rockies declined their 2012 option on righty Aaron Cook, tweets Jim Armstrong of the Denver Post. The Rockies will pay Cook a $500K buyout as opposed to the $11MM option. GM Dan O'Dowd says the door is open for Cook to return on a new contract.
With 72 wins, Cook is 14 ahead of Jason Jennings on the team's franchise leaderboard. Cook posted a 6.03 ERA, 4.5 K/9, 3.4 BB/9, 0.84 HR/9, and 55.1% groundball rate in 97 innings this year. He signed his extension after the '07 season. Cook battled shoulder, toe, and finger injuries in the following seasons, his innings totals declining each year.
Not suprised at all by this move. Cookie is a great guy, but has lost so much of what he has that he’s now a liability. Maybe bring him back and move him to the bullpen.
Could see him signing a 1-year deal with SD.
Not saying I would like that signing but I can see this happening as well. At least he wouldn’t pitch against SD this way. He has great career numbers against them.