For starters, the Rockies like Matt Morris, contacting his agent Tuesday.
For relievers, the Rockies lost out on a top target, Jay Witasick, who elected to re-sign in Oakland.
Witasick, given a two-year deal, helped stabilize Colorado’s bullpen last season, posting a 2.52 ERA in 32 games. The Rockies reluctantly included Witasick to facilitate the Joe Kennedy trade to Oakland that landed utility player Omar Quintanilla.
The market would have to break kindly for the Rockies to have a shot at Morris. The Cardinals’ right-hander made nearly $7 million last season, and the going rate for starters of his ilk last winter was $21 million over three years. Morris has property in the region, however, so Colorado made the courtesy call.
“They wanted to at least let us know that they were interested,” agent Barry Axelrod said.
