Sunday Rockpile: Ted Lilly agreeing with Dodgers could impact Rockies off season

What impact will the Dodgers agreeing to terms with Ted Lilly have on the Rockies pursuit of pitching this winter? Already it potentially adds to the urgency for the team's pursuit of Jorge De La Rosa, given that Lilly was one of only a few adequate targets to go after instead if negotiations with JDLR went south. It also makes it difficult to envision any contract at less than three seasons being acceptable for De La Rosa's side. This could become a serious issue if he's wanting more than that, as the Rockies are extremely unlikely to offer any free agent pitcher more than three seasons after being burned by Mike Hampton ten years ago. On the flip side, once terms of the Lilly deal get leaked, it could serve to establish a market level for the Rockies LHP. 

Meanwhile, as the Rockies replace one former hitting coach/manager, another one is finding success in Texas. Clint Hurdle's renaissance with the Rangers has been a welcome relief from stress for the former Rockies manager. Hurdle's Rangers team evened up their ALCS with the Yankees by winning last night, and in Philadelphia Cody Ross (it would be him) continues to pour salt on Rockies fans' wounds by helping the Giants beat Roy Halladay. 

• Halladay and Lincecum don't quite live up to advance billing - The Denver Post
• Rangers rough-up Hughes, even series - The Denver Post