and at this point, it's time to tread very carefully around Torrealba until it's very clear what happened.  While I'm sure O'Dowd and Co. have a pretty good understanding as to what might have taken place, you have to think there could be some type of issue associated with Torrealba that could spawn potential media/fan backlash.  For instance, if he failed a physical, and the Rockies still hand him the same deal they originally offered, they look silly for taking the injury risk, and still adds scrutiny to the position.  If there's a more serious concern, like a PED link, the Rockies' brass have no real gauge to how fans will react.  Small cases like Piedra and Herrera offer no evidence to how the Rockies' fans feel about "cheaters," but would the Rockies lose credibility with its fans if they brought back a high profile player known to have association with PED's? (Again, this is speculation on speculation, I'm not insinuating anything).  Also it may not be fan backlash the Rockies would fear if Torrealba was mentioned in the Mitchell Report or failed a test.  They may instead feel pressure from Selig, and the Rockies, based on their draft budgets of late, seem eager to tow the line with the commissioner's office.

This just seems bizarre.  If Torrealba had a real change of heart, why wouldn't he just go back and accept the Rockies old offer, instead of requesting that O'Dowd re-engage in discussions?  The Rockies barely improved their offer in the first place, and now there's almost no incentive to increase it with the Mets out of the picture. A change of heart would be an expensive one...

...unless his agent received hints from another team that they'd be willing to come close to the Mets offer while guaranteeing more playing time.  It's highly doubtful, but I think playing time may have been a bit of an issue.  It's possible that Torrealba was never comfortable with the proposed 100-62 split we've been hearing with Castro, and he just wants to be the guy.

That's dangerous for any team, and my guess is Yorvit would have known his place with all suitors prior to reaching a tenative agreement with the Mets.  This year seemed to be the peak of his offensive worth, and if his shoulder doesn't get better, any team would be crazy to give him major starting commitments.  Even the Rockies should have spotted him more with Iannetta.

Any way you look at it, you'd have to figure his value has taken a slight hit thanks to the removal of a big money contender and the uncertainty surrounding the collapse of the deal.  

# 3 makes a lot of sense and if it is, it will make for an interesting FA signing period.  Iannetta need to play D, stop the running game, hit 10 - 15 HRS and hit .220.  The Rox have plenty of offense and by the way Chris will top those numbers if he is THE guy.  There must be one of the 12 Molina brothers available at a cheap price.  I would sign a Bennett calibre back up.