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Matt Murton Sold To Hanshin Tigers

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5:28pm: Murton's rights were sold to the Hanshin Tigers, explains MLB.com's Thomas Harding.

2:32pm: The Rockies released outfielder Matt Murton so he can pursue a career in Japan, according to FOX Sports.  Murton, 28, hit .324/.389/.499 in Triple A this year and would've been arbitration-eligible.  Murton is a known MLBTR reader; we wish him the best of luck!

The FOX report goes on to suggest that the Rockies might now have to retain arb-eligible outfielder Ryan Spilborghs, but (oddly) they've inquired on Corey Hart in case they do move him.

Rockies Rumors: Betancourt, Barajas, Green

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Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post has the latest on the Rockies…

  • Decision-time for free agents offered arbitration is about nine hours away.  Rafael Betancourt will take that decision right down to the wire, says his agent Alan Nero.
  • The Rockies have an eye on Rod Barajas in the event they can't re-sign Yorvit Torrealba.  Barajas has been linked to the Mets and Giants recently; he too must decide on an arbitration offer tonight.  He's expected to decline.
  • The Rockies also like Nick Green for a utility role; he's been linked to the Dodgers already.

Giants, Mariners, Rockies Interested In Olivo

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The Giants, Mariners, and Rockies are leading the charge for free agent catcher Miguel Olivo, tweets Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star.  Olivo, 31, hit .249/.292/.490 in 416 plate appearances for the Royals this year, catching 845.6 innings.  The Royals, intending to reboot their catching situation, declined Olivo's $3.3MM mutual option last month.  Of the three suitors named here, you'd have to think Olivo would find the Rockies the least appealing given the presence of Chris Iannetta.

ESPN's Jerry Crasnick notes that the Rockies also maintain interest in re-signing Yorvit Torrealba.

Five Teams Interested In Kevin Gregg?

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Yahoo's Tim Brown tweets the "early market" for free agent reliever Kevin Gregg: the Rays, Nationals, Tigers, and Rockies.  Dave van Dyck of the Chicago Tribune says the Orioles are also interested.  I imagine Gregg will get a one-year deal for less than the $4.2MM he earned in 2009.  This year the 31-year-old improved his control a bit and whiffed more than a batter per inning, but allowed 13 home runs in 68.6 innings and lost the Cubs' closing job to Carlos Marmol.  The Cubs chose not to offer arbitration to Gregg, a Type A free agent.

With the Tigers and Rockies, the arbitration decisions of Brandon Lyon, Fernando Rodney, and Rafael Betancourt will be reached tonight, perhaps clearing the way for Gregg.  The Rays are looking to add reasonably-priced late-inning arms (they've already traded for Jesse Chavez).  The Nats have arbitration-eligible Mike MacDougal as the default closer currently, but may want another veteran option for 2009.  Van Dyck wonders if the Nats might non-tender MacDougal.

Rox Look To Strengthen Bullpen, Bench

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Rockies manager Jim Tracy doesn't "want to be the organization that pops up every three years or so," according to Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post. Renck offers up a look at the needs the Rockies will need to address at this year's Winter Meetings in order to strengthen the club's chances to be perennial contenders:

  • General manager Dan O'Dowd will meet with Rafael Betancourt's representation today. We've heard that Betancourt may accept arbitration from the Rockies, but with the Red Sox and Phillies interested in his services, that may change. O'Dowd says he wants things to work out with Betancourt, but they've identified alternatives in the event that they don't.
  • Colorado would be interested in bringing LaTroy Hawkins back to Coors Field. Hawkins is coming off a strong year with the Astros in which he posted a 2.13 ERA through 63.1 innings, fanning 45 and walking 17. His FIP checked in at a much more pedestrian 3.97, however.
  • The Rockies have requested Justin Duchscherer's medical records and will meet with his agent today.
  • They've inquired on free agent Chad Tracy in an attempt to add a left-handed bat off the bench. Even without Tracy, however, they could still find a suitable backup to Todd Helton in their own clubhouse, as Brad Hawpe is open to spelling Helton from time to time.
  • O'Dowd will keep the team's struggles against left-handers in mind if teams inquire about names like Brad Hawpe and Jorge De La Rosa.
  • O'Dowd says he'll remain open to anything, but the difference between this year and last year is that he's not specifically looking to move some players.

Betancourt Set To Accept Arbitration

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11:38pm: FoxSports.com's Jon Paul Morosi says that the Brewers have interest in Betancourt, "but their offer is unlikely to be big enough to persuade him to refuse salary arbitration with the Rockies." Morosi adds that interest in Betancourt has declined sharply after he was offered arbitration, as teams are unwilling to give up a draft pick to sign him.

6:08pm: Tracy Ringolsby of FoxSports.com reports that free agent reliever Rafael Betancourt is "ready to accept the [Rockies'] offer of arbitration." Betancourt is a Type-A free agent, so a team would have had to forfeit a high draft pick to sign him.

Colorado declined Betancourt's $5.4MM option for 2010 in mid-November, and should expect to see him get a nice raise from his $3.35MM salary in 2009 after he posted a 2.73 ERA in 56 innings. The team reportedly offered the 34-year-old righthander a two year, $7MM deal to return, however he rejected it. Had they known he'd be willing to accept arbitration, I'd have to think Colorado would have just picked up the option instead.

Rockies Rumors: Betancourt, Duchscherer, Hawkins, DeRosa

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Tracy Ringolsby of FoxSports.com reports that the Rockies hope free agent reliever Rafael Betancourt accepts arbitration, even though he’s a Type-A free agent and would net them two draft picks if he went elsewhere. Colorado declined their $4.5MM option for Betancourt last month, and he’s since rejected their two year, $7MM offer.

The deadline for free agents to accept arbitration is Monday, and if Betancourt accepts, Colorado would get to keep him on a one year deal, though it might cost them somewhere in the neighborhood of $6M.

Meanwhile, Troy E. Renck of The Denver Post adds that Justin Duchscherer and LaTroy Hawkins have become “top targets,” while the team has also expressed interest in Mark DeRosa.

Rockies Interested In Orlando Hudson

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7:37pm: Rockies' GM Dan O'Dowd said the club is not actively pursuing Hudson, according to MLB.com's Thomas Harding.

"That is not anything near a front-burner issue," O'Dowd said. "We're very happy with Clint Barmes as our second baseman." 

1:31pm: The Rockies are interested in free agent second baseman Orlando Hudson, according to Tracy Ringolsby of FOX Sports.  It's a surprising name, but Ringolsby explain that the Rockies feel that Clint Barmes would get a lot of playing time in a super-utility role.

Hudson, 32 later this month, hit .283/.357/417 in 631 plate appearances for the Dodgers this year.  His playing time slipped after the Dodgers acquired Ronnie Belliard, but he still earned almost all his incentives and reached almost $8MM in total.  Hudson would not cost the Rockies their #26 draft pick, because the Dodgers did not offer arbitration.

Gregg Zaun Agrees To Deal With Brewers

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1:33pm: ESPN's Buster Olney has the contract details: a $1.9MM base in 2010, and a $2.25MM club option for '11 with a $250K buyout.

1:18pm: Zaun is close to a deal with the Brewers, according to MLB.com's Adam McCalvy.  Yahoo's Tim Brown tweets that the deal is signed, and worth $2.15MM guaranteed (with a 2011 option).  The free agent market didn't offer much, but Zaun was one of the better catchers out there.  The Rays will receive a supplemental draft pick for their loss.

10:03am: Free agent catcher Gregg Zaun spoke to Don Landry and Gord Stellick of The Fan 590 this morning, and revealed that he'll sign with a team "possibly by the end of the day."  Zaun confirmed that he'll be signing with the Brewers, Rockies, Rays, or Mariners.

My guess is the Mariners.  How about you?

Rockies Rumors: Hawpe, Tracy, Carroll

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Troy E. Renck of The Denver Post has some Rockies rumors for us…

  • GM Dan O'Dowd called Brad Hawpe a "legitimate alternative" that can spell Todd Helton at first base. The team had been looking for a bench player capable of playing both first and third.
  • The Rockies have expressed preliminary interest in free agents Chad Tracy and Jamey Carroll.
  • O'Dowd confirmed that he's not looking to move Ryan Spilborghs.
  • Contrary to reports, the Rockies are not interested in Gregg Zaun, though they still hope to bring Yorvit Torrealba back.
  • Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FoxSports.com say that reports about hard feelings between Jason Marquis and the Rockies about not getting a playoff start are untrue.
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