Rockies Roster Moves – De La Rosa, Spillborghs get deals
The Rockies 2010 roster is starting to shape up, with Spillborghs getting a 2-year, $3.25 million contract, and De la Rosa signing a one year, $5.6M deal. It was uncertain whether Spillborghs would return, with Hawpe, Gonzales, and Fowler steady in their outfield positions. The thinking was that Spilly would be too expensive for a utility outfielder. Fortunately, Rockies brass realized that his speed on the bases and ability to hit for power was worth the contract. Overall, it wasn’t all that expensive to keep him on the roster.
Add to that the Olivo signing to replace Torrealba, and the one-year deals with Barmes and Buchholz to avoid arbitration, that leaves only a few notable names left without deals – closer Huston Street, reliever Rafael Betancourt, and benchman/hitting specialist Jason Giambi.
The Olivo signing comes after weeks of negotiations with Torrealba, with the two sides unable to come to an agreement on how to spread out the money over the life of the contract. Torrealba was a known commodity, especially with the Spanish-speaking side of the pitching staff, so it’s not clear how well Olivo will fit. My thinking is that this was a clear move to tell Iannetta it’s time to earn that big money deal he just signed and either become the permanent, long-term catcher, or not.
More in depth coverage of the Rockies roster as it shapes up with the approach of spring training coming soon.
