Rockies Sign Randy Flores
Troy Renck reported it on Tuesday, but now it’s official. The Rockies have signed left-handed reliever Randy Flores to a minor league contract.
Flores will earn $600K this season if he makes the team. He appeared in 43 games for the Cardinals in ’08, posting a 5.26 ERA before undergoing shoulder surgery near the end of the season. He probably won’t be ready for Opening Day.
Rockies, Randy Flores Agree To Terms
According to Troy Renck of the Denver Post, the Rockies have agreed to terms with left-handed reliever Randy Flores on a minor league contract worth $600K.
Along with the deal comes an invitation to spring training. The Rockies had discussed adding Joe Beimel, but Flores was clearly the much cheaper option. The 33-year-old posted a 5.26 ERA in 43 appearances for the Cardinals last season and a 4.25 mark in 2007.
Rockies Non-Roster Spring Training Invitees
The Colorado Springs Gazette has a list of the Rockies’ non-roster spring training invitees. The club will audition seven pitchers, three infielders, four outfielders, and five catchers. Here they are, in all their glory:
RHP Matt Belisle, INF Christian Colonel, OF Chris Frey, C Edwin Bellorin, LHP Cedrick Bowers, INF Luis Gonzalez, OF Matt Miller, C Michael McKenry, RHP Jhoulys Chacin, INF Jonathan Herrera, OF Dan Ortmeier, C Paul Phillips, RHP Matt Daley, OF Scott Podsednik, C Wilin Rosario, RHP Josh Fogg, C Sal Fasano, RHP Brandon Hynick and LHP Glendon Rusch.
Pitchers, catchers, and those participating in the World Baseball Classic are scheduled to report to spring training on Friday, February 13.
Rockies Sign Sal Fasano
According to MLB.com’s Thomas Harding, the Rockies signed catcher Sal Fasano to a minor league deal. Harding also lists the team’s other 18 non-roster invitees.
O’Dowd: Rockies Have Turned Page On Beimel
As Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post reports, the Rockies are no longer interested in free agent lefty Joe Beimel. MLBTR covered this last week, but it seems to be a bit more official now.
"It’s highly unlikely that we would sign him," Rockies general manager Dan O’Dowd said Monday. "We’ve turned the page and moved on."
The Rockies already have the left-handed Alan Embree on their roster and another lefty, Glendon Rusch, was given a non-roster spring training invitation. The Phillies are still on the lookout for a left-handed bullpen arm and could become suitors for Beimel.
Odds and Ends: Sisco, Murton, Thigpen
Links for Thursday…
- Lot of people tossing around the number of unsigned free agents…I have it at about 80, at least if we draw the line at players that are remotely useful. Here’s my list.
- Joe Pawlikowski of River Ave. Blues would like to see the Yankees sign Mark Grudzielanek.
- Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle says the A’s will attend Andy Sisco‘s Friday workout.
- Scott Miller of CBSSports.com takes a stab at the All-Free Agent team.
- The Rockies did not acquire Matt Murton as a precursor to another deal, Troy Renck learned.
- The Blue Jays designated catcher Curtis Thigpen for assignment to make room for Brian Burres.
- Sam Mellinger of the Kansas City Star shows that MLB has done a nice job of keeping player salaries at 40-45% of the game’s revenue in recent years (as opposed to 62% in the NFL).
- RotoAuthority looks at how you can combine a Rich Harden type with a Randy Wolf type to create a top ten fantasy baseball starting pitcher.
Rockies Out On Beimel, Looper?
THURSDAY, 10:06am: Despite O’Dowd’s comments, Renck says Beimel remains interested in joining the Rockies. However, Beimel doesn’t think much of the Rockies’ offer.
WEDNESDAY, 7:47pm: According to Troy Renck of the Denver Post, the Rockies are no longer pursuing free agent left-hander Joe Beimel.
"We maintained contact with his agent, and our desire was there, but I believe he’s going in a different direction so there’s no reason to keep calling," said GM Dan O’Dowd. Beimel has drawn interest recently from the Diamondbacks, Tigers and Phillies.
O’Dowd also told Renck that the club has not reopened talks with free agent starter Braden Looper. He has recieved interest from the Orioles, but would reportedly prefer to stay in the National League.
Rockies Acquire Matt Murton
According to a press release, the Rockies acquired outfielder Matt Murton from the A’s for infielder Corey Wimberly.
Murton, 27, has a career line of .288/.354/.438 in 1002 plate appearances. He’s been involved in two big trades – the Nomar Garciaparra deal in ’04 and the Rich Harden trade last year. Murton spent most of ’08 in the minors and did not show much power.
Wimberly, 25, ranked as the Rockies’ 26th-best prospect in the ’09 Baseball America Handbook. He went unclaimed in the Rule 5 draft in December after hitting .291/.370/.345 in Double A. The speedster is said to be in the Bip Roberts mold, according to BA.
Rockies, Atkins Avoid Arbitration
According to Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post, the Rockies avoided arbitration with infielder Garrett Atkins by signing him at $7.05MM for ’09. He can earn another $125K if he makes 700 plate appearances (something he’s yet to do). Atkins had submitted $7.95MM, with the Rox countering at $6.65MM.
Atkins, 29, hit .286/.328/.452 in 664 plate appearances last year. He’ll be eligible for free agency after the 2010 season.
Odds and Ends: Hearings, Anderson, Selig
Links for Monday…
- MLB.com’s Tom Singer looks at the effects of arbitration hearings on players. He found that most players don’t experience a post-hearing performance decline, but they do change teams at the first opportunity.
- MLB.com’s Lyle Spencer says the Angels and Ervin Santana are $725K apart with a hearing scheduled for later this month and "no progress" according to GM Tony Reagins.
- The Tigers are hopeful about bridging the $950K gap with Justin Verlander.
- Athletics Nation’s conversation with MLB.com’s Mychael Urban, Part 2.
- Scot Gregor of the Daily Herald wouldn’t be surprised to see the White Sox trade Brian Anderson.
- Murray Chass reflects on the Homestead camp for unsigned players heading into the 1995 season.
- Commissioner Bud Selig earned $18.35MM in the last fiscal year, according to Eric Fisher of Sports Business Journal.
- The latest minor league transactions from Baseball America, including the Nationals’ signing of Alex Cintron and the Rockies’ addition of Scott Munter.
- Even with a new stadium, the Marlins will continue to prefer going year-to-year with most players.