The Rockies are considering available free agents as they look to add rotation depth, left-handed relief and infield help, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. The Rockies would like to add a veteran starter and David Bush and Rodrigo Lopez are among the team’s targets.
The team would also like to sign a left-handed reliever to a minor league deal. Matt Reynolds (21 career appearances) and Franklin Morales (88 career appearances) are the team's current options, so they’re eyeing veteran help. Former Rockie Joe Beimel does not appear to be an option, according to the Denver Post.
Alfredo Amezaga, Cristian Guzman and Aaron Miles are among the backup infielders the club is considering. The Rockies appear to prefer Amezaga to Miles, according to Troy Renck of the Denver Post. The Rockies still have interest in a higher profile infielder: Michael Young. Young will earn $16MM in each of the next three seasons and the Rangers say they expect him to stay in Texas.
Rangers assistant GM Thad Levine told Mike Ferrin and Morgan Ensberg on MLB Network Radio that “we’re looking at [Young] as our primary DH but also a guy who’s going to play all over the infield.” The team expects Young to get plenty of playing time, even though they just acquired former division rival Mike Napoli.
The Rockies also signed veteran catcher Chad Moeller to a minor league deal, according to Matt Eddy of Baseball America.
So, mike napoli is a catcher/1st baseman. we have four catchers including him. of those four catchers one is going to be released or trated to me the odd men out will be torrealba and treanor (so long misty may) i think napoli will play split time between 1st and C and michael stays put.
We have three catchers now, including Napoli. Teagarden was optioned to the minors when Treanor returned the lineup. Ramirez was waived and now plays for the Cubs. Torrealba was signed with the intention of him being the starting catcher. He’s not going anywhere. Assuming Young stays in Texas, Napoli would likely be a bench bat in a ballpark that he’s historically hit well in. He also provides depth to a lineup that will face a lot of left-handed pitching in Oakland this year.
Teagarden has to prove he can hit at LEAST AAA pitching though, or he will most likely be traded come deadline time. Misty May and her husband are staying put.
I think Dave Bush has signed with the Mets already…has he not?
Yes….he has not.
If the Rangers eat half of Youngs salary I see it happening. Young would extend his own career by being able to play at Coors field.
What do the Rockies need with another infielder? Todd Helton, Ty Wigginton, Jose Lopez, Eric Young, Troy Tulowtizki, Ian Stewart, Hector Gomez, Chris Nelson, Jonathan Herrera, Jason Giambi, Hernan Iribarren, Mike Jacobs… seems to me they should be more worried about outfield depth.
They think Wigginton, Herrera and EY Jr. can contribute in the OF. Not sure that’s sound judgment, but that’s at least a part of the thought process I’m sure.
The issue that I see is trying SO HARD to make a roster spot for Giambi. With Wigginton around he isn’t going to be playing 1B more than a handful of time all season, so we’re basically talking about a guy who offers nothing other than a left-handed bat off the bench. And to get that bat they are going to restrict themselves to four outfielders, which has prompted a fishing expedition for a utility guy who can help on the infield as well as chipping in out in the outfield as well.
Is Jason Giambi *really* that valuable to this team that they would hamstring themselves in that fashion to keep him on the roster? I just don’t see it at this point.