Relief pitcher Brian Fuentes has lost his salary arbitration hearing against the Colorado Rockies. Fuentes was asking for $6.5 million, and he will end up getting paid a little bit over $5 million for the 2008 season.
The Colorado Rockies and Brad Hawpe have finally came to terms on a one year contract. Hawpe will earn just short of $4 million dollars in 2009. He can make over $4 million if he hits all of his incentives like $50,000 each for 600 and 675 plate appearances.
It was pretty obvious that Hawpe and the Rockies were going to work out a deal. The question everyone was asking was how soon, and how much money are the Rockies going to pay him. I think it is a good deal for both sides and now Hawpe can concentrate on having a good spring training.
The Denver Post is reporting that The Colorado Rockies and Garrett Atkins have agreed on a one year contract that will pay Atkins $4.38 million dollars. The Rockies and Atkins pretty much met in the middle of Atkins asking price and what the Rockies offered him. Atkins will be under the Rockies control through the 2010 season.
**Also look for news about Brad Hawpe in the next day or so**
We blogged earlier today that the Colorado Rockies had invited 11 pitchers to Spring Training, and now they are announcing that they have invited 11 poistion players to Spring Training.
Centerfielder Scott Podsednik and second basemen Marcus Giles are the two names that most people have heard of that have been invited. Podsednik isn’t much of a ball player these days, besides having some speed. Giles is also at the ending point of his career in my opinion.
Other players that were invited are: INF Christian Colonel, INF Matt Kata, SS Chris Nelson, OF Sean Barker, OF Dexter Fowler, OF Joe Gaetti, C Mike Rose, C Michael McKenry and C Neil Wilson.
Finally some news to report about the Colorado Rockies! The defending National League champions have annouced that they have invited 11 pitchers to Spring Training in Arizona.
RHP Victor Zambrano, RHP Alberto Arias, RHP Darren Clarke, RHP Brandon Hynick, RHP Zach McClellan, RHP Greg Reynolds, RHP Casey Weathers, LHP Micah Bowie, LHP Chris George, LHP John Koronka and LHP Sean Thompson will all be headed to camp with the Rockies.
I like the fact that Zambrano, Bowie, Geoge, and Koronka have been invited. They look like the most obvious choices that have a shot at making the team. Zambrano has some filthy stuff if he can keep it all under control. It will be fun to see how these players progress with the Rockies through Spring Training.
The Colorado Rockies have locked up Troy Tulowitzki with a new six year contract that will be worth around $30 million total. That is a steal for the Rockies in my opinion. Tulowitzki is a hell of a player and should continue to put up good numbers in the next three to five seasons.
The next few years could be pretty good for the Rockies I think. They could use some help in the starting rotation and bullpen, but overall I kind of like their chances.
The Colorado Rockies reach agreements with Matt Holliday and Will Tavarez on Friday. This was a must for Rockies management if they want to continue growing and push towards another World Series run.
Holliday is really cashing in after having an awesome 2007 season and helping the Rockies reach the World Series. Holliday received a two year contract worth $23 million dollars. It will be awesome to watch Holliday as he tries to led the Rockies back to post season play and put up the stats that he did in 07.
Willy Tavarez signed a one year contract that will be worth $1.975 million. Tavarez was signed to the one year deal to avoid salary arbitration.
Marcus Giles and the Colorado Rockies have come to terms on a one year contract. The contract does not gurantee anything however, and Giles will be battling for a spot on the big league roster at the 2nd base position.
Giles has went down hill ever since he went to San Diego to play for the Padres. Granted, the Padres do have a huge park to hit in, but Giles has also been injured quite a bit lately. He isn’t a huge pickup, but if he can stay healthy, he just might jump start his career in Coors Field.
Do you think Marcus Giles is a good signing by the Rockies management? Leave us a comment and let us know!
It was a magical year in 2007 for the Colorado Rockies and now there is a magical Rockies Baseball Blog! Rockieshomeplate will be blogging about the Rockies Games, Rockies Drafts, Rockies Tickets, as well as Rockies Rumors and Transactions. No matter what news it is about the Colorado Rockies, you will find all that information here at RockiesHomePlate!
We really hope you enjoy your stay here at Rockieshomeplate, and come back each day as we hope to have a new article up everyday once spring training starts. You are welcome to leave comments and let your opinion be heard about the team as well. It is always great to hear other peoples opinions.
