Colorado Rockies' Seven Free Agents Enter The 2010 Marketplace

by Russ Oates on Nov 8, 2010 2:06 PM MST in Transactions & Rumors

PHOENIX - SEPTEMBER 21: Starting pitcher Jorge De La Rosa #29 of the Colorado Rockies pitches against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the Major League Baseball game at Chase Field on September 21 2010 in Phoenix Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Baseball free agency has begun and the Colorado Rockies' seven free agents have hit the open market. Those seven players are pitchers Joe Beimel, Jorge De La Rosa, Octavio Dotel and Jeff Francis, infielders Jason Giambi and Melvin Mora and outfielder Jay Payton.

While the Rockies would like to sign Jorge De La Rosa to a new deal, DLR's reported desire for a five-year deal after Ted Lilly's three-year, $11 million per season contract has likely priced the Rockies out of his range. Jeff Francis and Melvin Mora remain good bets to rejoin the team, with the former competing for a spot at the back of the rotation and the latter entering a utility role but stalking Ian Stewart at third base.

Jason Giambi turns 40 soon and still wants to play, but it most likely will not be for the Colorado Rockies. Jay Payton received a call-up in September, but the Rockies have other, younger options such as Cole Garner to play a reserve role for the Rockies throughout the season. A minor league contract could be a possibility.

Reliever Joe Beimel has expressed a desire to return to the Rockies, but the emergence of Matt Reynolds and the rise of Rex Brothers could send Beimel elsewhere.

Let the whirlwind begin!

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Comments

Here's hoping the JDLR market does not become unreasonable.

And while I was (and am) a big Joe Beimel fan, I think we we have a lot of young ’pen arms we need to call up. (Did someone say Bruuuuuuuce?)

Go Bruce!

by Since1993 on Nov 8, 2010 3:28 PM MST reply actions

The case for keeping Beimel

is that even though Matt Reynolds was great last year, I’m not sure he’s ready to be the team’s senior lefty reliever. Put him and Brothers out there, and you have about 1/3 of a MLB season between them. And if Brothers isn’t ready, that leaves us with the frightening prospect of Franklin Morales playing a key role in the bullpen.

If Beimel can be retained at a reasonable price, I would keep him. I’m excited about Reynolds and Brothers, but Beimel would be a relatively cheap safety net.

by Rockpile Interloper on Nov 8, 2010 4:22 PM MST up reply actions

If the best

We can do is resign Mora, a 40 year old to be our utility guy and to dog Stewart at third, well then it is now time to trade Stewart. If the thought, even crosses Tracy’s mind that Stewart can be replaced by Mora, then let’s move Stewart now, while he still has value.

by roxtalk on Nov 8, 2010 3:59 PM MST reply actions

Arbitration offers

With De La Rosa being a Type A free agent he will obviously be offered arbitration.

Dotel is a Type B free agent and with an arbitration offer the Rockies would be compensated with a supplemental first-round pick. Do you think he will get an arbitration offer considering he would cost the Rockies a big chunk of their payroll if he comes back.

by Bostjan Cernensek on Nov 8, 2010 5:47 PM MST reply actions

He'd

probably get around $4 million for one season. The Rockies won’t want to take a chance on that happening.

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by Russ Oates on Nov 8, 2010 6:00 PM MST up reply actions