Rockies busy preparing for 2010
By Bert Jan Brands | December 8, 2009
Rafael Betancourt (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
The 2009 season ended with the elimination from the play-offs against the Phillies, but the Rockies have remained busy since. During the first day of the traditional Winter Meetings in Indianapolis, reliever Rafael Betancourt accepted the Rockies’ arbitration offer, guaranteeing his return to the Rockies for the 2010 season. Rumors were going around about possible interest from the Red Sox, Phillies and Brewers, but the interest was not concrete enough to pursuade Betancourt from accepting the Rockies offer. Had he rejected the offer, the team that signed him would have to pay the Rockies their first round pick, a very high price for the 34 year old reliever. Though he will at least be a Rockie in 2010, both parties might still be interested in a multi-year extension, so it remains to be seen if a longer deal can get done in the near future. The Rockies also offered arbitration to Jason Marquis, but he rejected the offer. If Marquis leaves, the Rockies will receive a supplementary round draft pick between the first and second round.
The Rockies have also offered multi-year extentions to closer Huston Street, catcher Chris Iannetta and 2nd baseman Clint Barmes. Though Barmes and Iannetta have both struggled at times during the 2009 season, the Rockies seem to be confident that the two players will bounce back, and consider them key players for the next few seasons. According to the Denver Post, Barmes has been offered a two year deal with a possible club option for a third. Iannetta has received a three year offer worth approximately 7 million dollars, and his agents have made a counter offer. Huston Street, who joined the Rockies in the trade that sent Matt Holiday to the Oakland A’s, is looking for a contract close to 30 million dollars. Rockies general manager Dan O’Dowd confirmed Street had also been offered a three year extention.
On monday, the Rockies released outfielder Matt Murton, and MLB.com reports his rights have been sold to the Hanshin Tigers in Japan. Murton spent the 2009 season with Triple-A Colorado Springs. The move seems to indicate the Rockies remain confident about Ryan Spilborghs and make earlier rumors about the Rockies trading him unlikely.
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