Cubs' Jake Arrieta on point as free agency nears: 'I like my chances' - USA Today
Tucked in this piece from USA Today's Bob Nightengale on impending free agents is this tidbit about the Rockies and outfielder Carlos Gonzalez, whose contract ends at the end of the season:
For every Max Scherzer who earned a $210 million windfall from the Washington Nationals in 2015 after rejecting $144 million from the Detroit Tigers, there’s a Carlos Gonzalez. He was offered a lucrative four-year deal from the Colorado Rockies this spring, and now wonders if he’ll ever recoup it, batting just .228 with a .643 OPS - his worst season since his 2008 rookie year.
This is an interesting look at how the Rockies viewed CarGo entering the season, and it also seems, if this report is true, that they may have dodged a major bullet, even it was the product of them attempting to shoot themselves in the foot.
Don Baylor dead: First Colorado Rockies manager dies of cancer at 68 - The Denver Post
Don Baylor, the first manager in Colorado Rockies history, died of cancer at age 68 yesterday. Baylor managed the Rockies for the first six years of their existence, posting a record of 440-469. He led the Rockies to their first playoff appearance in 1995, winning Manager of the Year honors in the process.
Don Baylor touched hearts as manager, teammate - MLB.com
Thomas Harding talked with several former Rockies, including Dante Bichette and Todd Helton, about the impact Baylor had on them both on and off the field, all of them discussed how he was a mentor to them, both in playing the game and life in the big leagues.
Don Baylor The toughest -- and gentlest -- of baseball's giants - ESPN.com
Claire Smith, who was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame last month, cited Baylor in her speech at the induction ceremony in Cooperstown and now writes about him as both intimidating and a gentle giant.