RockieBill
12-11-2003, 09:34 AM
These are the rumors of how the Rox are attempting to assemble their World Championship team, mostly gleaned from the Denver Post (www.denverpost.com) and Rocky Mountain News (www.rockymountainnews.com) -
The Rockies made a push to land Antonio Alfonseca as a late-inning reliever and possible closer Wednesday, and broadened their search for an outfielder to include Jose Cruz Jr., Brian Jordan and Rondell White.
Talks also progressed with Brent Mayne, leaving the club optimistic that they will land the catcher possibly today when winter meetings open in New Orleans.
Alfonseca has experience as a closer, and his struggles with the Cubs the past two years make him more affordable (hello?!) than Armando Benitez or Mike DeJean. The Rockies considered trading for Alfonseca a year ago and revisited talks in April when Jose Jimenez struggled.
If the Rockies find a way to retain Justin Speier and add Alfonseca to complement Brian Fuentes and Steve Reed, they would have four pitchers capable of getting outs from the sixth inning on (or, so they think!).
The Rockies also are in the market for an outfielder, conceding Jay Payton will be non-tendered (big mistake here, boys!) barring a last-minute increase in the projected $60 million payroll. Cruz won a Gold Glove last season and hit 20 homers for the San Francisco Giants while earning $2.8 million. He is attractive because of defense and durability. Jeromy Burnitz also has made a habit of staying off the disabled list, and possesses good power.
White and Jordan are considered clubhouse leaders, but both have been bothered by injuries.
Concerned that Mayne may go elsewhere, the Rockies engaged in serious talks with the agents for Todd Greene and Kelly Stinnett. Cleveland catcher Josh Bard also has become a longshot. An Indians official said Wednesday that the Rockies rank third among six teams pursuing the catcher and admitted a straight-up deal for third baseman Garrett Atkins or pitcher Jason Young likely wouldn't be enough to part with Bard.
Castilla's arrival (Yea!) will force Atkins back into Triple-A for another year (not a bad thing), where he will focus on improving his defense while playing other positions periodically.
Deivi Cruz remains the Rockies' first choice at shortstop, with Pokey Reese next on the list (put Perez back on this list!). Reese is working out with Rockies catcher Charles Johnson in Miami.
The Rockies made a push to land Antonio Alfonseca as a late-inning reliever and possible closer Wednesday, and broadened their search for an outfielder to include Jose Cruz Jr., Brian Jordan and Rondell White.
Talks also progressed with Brent Mayne, leaving the club optimistic that they will land the catcher possibly today when winter meetings open in New Orleans.
Alfonseca has experience as a closer, and his struggles with the Cubs the past two years make him more affordable (hello?!) than Armando Benitez or Mike DeJean. The Rockies considered trading for Alfonseca a year ago and revisited talks in April when Jose Jimenez struggled.
If the Rockies find a way to retain Justin Speier and add Alfonseca to complement Brian Fuentes and Steve Reed, they would have four pitchers capable of getting outs from the sixth inning on (or, so they think!).
The Rockies also are in the market for an outfielder, conceding Jay Payton will be non-tendered (big mistake here, boys!) barring a last-minute increase in the projected $60 million payroll. Cruz won a Gold Glove last season and hit 20 homers for the San Francisco Giants while earning $2.8 million. He is attractive because of defense and durability. Jeromy Burnitz also has made a habit of staying off the disabled list, and possesses good power.
White and Jordan are considered clubhouse leaders, but both have been bothered by injuries.
Concerned that Mayne may go elsewhere, the Rockies engaged in serious talks with the agents for Todd Greene and Kelly Stinnett. Cleveland catcher Josh Bard also has become a longshot. An Indians official said Wednesday that the Rockies rank third among six teams pursuing the catcher and admitted a straight-up deal for third baseman Garrett Atkins or pitcher Jason Young likely wouldn't be enough to part with Bard.
Castilla's arrival (Yea!) will force Atkins back into Triple-A for another year (not a bad thing), where he will focus on improving his defense while playing other positions periodically.
Deivi Cruz remains the Rockies' first choice at shortstop, with Pokey Reese next on the list (put Perez back on this list!). Reese is working out with Rockies catcher Charles Johnson in Miami.