The Rockies won their salary arbitration case against Sunny Kim on Thursday but appear to be losing out in their attempt to sign free agent Josh Fogg.
Kim filed at $800,000 with the team countering at $600,000. A judge ruled in Colorado’s favor, an awkward victory because it required the team to outline Kim’s weaknesses as he sat across from Rockies management during the hearing.
“I am just glad it’s behind us and we can move forward,” general manager Dan O’Dowd said.
Kim, after participating for Korea in the World Baseball Classic, will square off against Zach Day for the rotation’s fifth spot, with Kim pegged for a bullpen role if he loses. Fogg would join that competition, though it appears he’s leaning toward joining Arizona or San Francisco. A decision is expected this weekend.
Footnote
While the Rockies will be well represented in the WBC, second baseman Luis Gonzalez (Venezuela) bowed out and reliever Jose Mesa (Dominican Republic) is also expected to decline an invitation. Given his first chance to start, Gonzalez doesn’t want to miss any spring training, according to agent David Schwartz.
