GaryMrMets
01-11-2002, 02:50 PM
http://www.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/news/mlb_news_story.jsp?article_id=col_20020110_white_n ews&team_id=mlb
News
1/10/2002 4:00 pm ET
Rockies sign Rick White
By Troy E. Renck
MLB.com
DENVER -- The defections were hard to miss.
First, Jay Powell bolted for the Texas Rangers. Then Mike Myers was shipped off to the Arizona Diamondbacks. And finally, Dan Miceli and Brian Bohanon, as expected, shunned the Colorado Rockies' contract offers.
The result: Colorado was creeping toward penultimate failure.
Until Thursday.
The Rockies finally began filling the gaping holes in their relief corps, agreeing to a one-year deal with right-hander Rick White.
"When he was non-tendered by the Mets, we were looking for a team where he would get a chance to be productive and to bring his value back to where it should be," agent Casey Close said from his New York office. "In talking to [General Manager] Dan [O'Dowd] about how things are shaking out, we knew this would be a good opportunity."
Make no mistake, White will get work. All relievers wearing purple pinstripes inevitably do. But as much as the Rockies met his goals, the 6-foot-4, 230-pounder suited the club equally well. Here's why: White is a low-cost veteran -- his deal is right at $1 million according to sources -- with a proven track record. In 2001 with the New York Mets, the 33-year-old went 4-5 with two saves and a 3.88 ERA.
What's more, his stuff should translate at Coors Field. His repertoire includes a sinking fastball -- the pitch that made Powell so effective during his short stay in Denver -- nasty slider and decent curveball. Not surprisingly, White produced 112 ground balls to 70 fly balls last season.
"Starters' numbers are what they are [at altitude], but relievers have fared OK," Close said of White, who is tentatively pegged as a guy to work in the seventh and eighth innings. "If he can get ahead of hitters, he will have success just as [Jose] Jimenez and Powell did in the past. I guess the best way to put it is that he's not afraid to pitch there." Overall, White, who has a 16-23 career record with a 3.82 ERA, fanned 51 batters in 69 2/3 innings while walking just 17 batters last season. He landed in New York from Tampa Bay in July of 2000, helping a team that included Rockies ace Mike Hampton reach the World Series.
White's signing will be just the first of many as the Rockies try to restock their bullpen. Next on Colorado's wish list is right-hander Todd Jones, late of the Minnesota Twins.
Jones was an effective closer with the Detroit Tigers before being moved to the Twins at last summer's trading deadline. During the winter meetings, he told reporters he was seeking a two-year deal. However, the market is drying up quickly for middle relievers, leaving Jones to seriously consider less.
According to team sources, Colorado, which is currently competing against the Tigers for his services, would like to sign Jones to a one-year contract, possibly with a club option for protection. It's not an impossible scenario given that Jones seems resigned to the fact that he will be a setup man at this point in his career and his fondness for Colorado Manager Buddy Bell, whom he played for in Detroit.
Even as they chase Jones, the Rockies figure to fortify their bullpen with as many as three minor-league free agents as well.
As for other holes, namely a right-handed bat, Colorado is narrowing its options. One person who could be available is Gabe Kapler of the Texas Rangers. Kapler, who broke into the bigs with Bell as his manager, lost his starting center-field job when the Rangers dealt for Carl Everett. Kapler hit 17 homers last year, but could be expendable with the addition of Juan Gonzalez, who figures to start alongside Everett and Rusty Greer.
In addition, catcher Tony Eusebio, despite Wednesday's snowstorm, arrived in Denver and is undergoing a physical today to determine his fitness level. According to agent Peter Greenberg, Eusebio will also have his shoulder and knee, both of which were injured in the past, examined by doctors, meaning that if he passes all the tests his contract will not become official until Friday afternoon.
Troy E. Renck is the site reporter for ColoradoRockies.com.
News
1/10/2002 4:00 pm ET
Rockies sign Rick White
By Troy E. Renck
MLB.com
DENVER -- The defections were hard to miss.
First, Jay Powell bolted for the Texas Rangers. Then Mike Myers was shipped off to the Arizona Diamondbacks. And finally, Dan Miceli and Brian Bohanon, as expected, shunned the Colorado Rockies' contract offers.
The result: Colorado was creeping toward penultimate failure.
Until Thursday.
The Rockies finally began filling the gaping holes in their relief corps, agreeing to a one-year deal with right-hander Rick White.
"When he was non-tendered by the Mets, we were looking for a team where he would get a chance to be productive and to bring his value back to where it should be," agent Casey Close said from his New York office. "In talking to [General Manager] Dan [O'Dowd] about how things are shaking out, we knew this would be a good opportunity."
Make no mistake, White will get work. All relievers wearing purple pinstripes inevitably do. But as much as the Rockies met his goals, the 6-foot-4, 230-pounder suited the club equally well. Here's why: White is a low-cost veteran -- his deal is right at $1 million according to sources -- with a proven track record. In 2001 with the New York Mets, the 33-year-old went 4-5 with two saves and a 3.88 ERA.
What's more, his stuff should translate at Coors Field. His repertoire includes a sinking fastball -- the pitch that made Powell so effective during his short stay in Denver -- nasty slider and decent curveball. Not surprisingly, White produced 112 ground balls to 70 fly balls last season.
"Starters' numbers are what they are [at altitude], but relievers have fared OK," Close said of White, who is tentatively pegged as a guy to work in the seventh and eighth innings. "If he can get ahead of hitters, he will have success just as [Jose] Jimenez and Powell did in the past. I guess the best way to put it is that he's not afraid to pitch there." Overall, White, who has a 16-23 career record with a 3.82 ERA, fanned 51 batters in 69 2/3 innings while walking just 17 batters last season. He landed in New York from Tampa Bay in July of 2000, helping a team that included Rockies ace Mike Hampton reach the World Series.
White's signing will be just the first of many as the Rockies try to restock their bullpen. Next on Colorado's wish list is right-hander Todd Jones, late of the Minnesota Twins.
Jones was an effective closer with the Detroit Tigers before being moved to the Twins at last summer's trading deadline. During the winter meetings, he told reporters he was seeking a two-year deal. However, the market is drying up quickly for middle relievers, leaving Jones to seriously consider less.
According to team sources, Colorado, which is currently competing against the Tigers for his services, would like to sign Jones to a one-year contract, possibly with a club option for protection. It's not an impossible scenario given that Jones seems resigned to the fact that he will be a setup man at this point in his career and his fondness for Colorado Manager Buddy Bell, whom he played for in Detroit.
Even as they chase Jones, the Rockies figure to fortify their bullpen with as many as three minor-league free agents as well.
As for other holes, namely a right-handed bat, Colorado is narrowing its options. One person who could be available is Gabe Kapler of the Texas Rangers. Kapler, who broke into the bigs with Bell as his manager, lost his starting center-field job when the Rangers dealt for Carl Everett. Kapler hit 17 homers last year, but could be expendable with the addition of Juan Gonzalez, who figures to start alongside Everett and Rusty Greer.
In addition, catcher Tony Eusebio, despite Wednesday's snowstorm, arrived in Denver and is undergoing a physical today to determine his fitness level. According to agent Peter Greenberg, Eusebio will also have his shoulder and knee, both of which were injured in the past, examined by doctors, meaning that if he passes all the tests his contract will not become official until Friday afternoon.
Troy E. Renck is the site reporter for ColoradoRockies.com.