The Rockies wanted a utilityman with speed who could play shortstop. So when the Washington Nationals made Jamey Carroll available Saturday, Colorado moved quickly, acquiring the veteran for $300,000.
“He has good character and is someone who should fit well into what we are trying to do,” general manager Dan O’Dowd said. “He’s someone we had our eye on.”
Even better, there’s a catch to the guy who can catch (he didn’t commit an error at shortstop or third base in 53 games a year ago). Carroll is a good friend of Clint Barmes – the Rockies shortstop had played against his brother Wes Carroll since the two were 9 years old.
“We were just at a fundraiser together thinking it would be cool if this happened,” Carroll said. “In Washington, it was going to be crazy so I am thankful it happened before spring training.”
Carroll, who turns 32 on Saturday, became expendable when the Nationals signed Royce Clayton last week, giving them a logjam of middle infielders at a time when they need a 40-man roster spot for free agent Sammy Sosa.
A lifetime member of the Montreal/Washington organization, Carroll batted .251 with no home runs and 22 RBIs in 303 at-bats last season.
“I have always said Coors Field is my favorite place to play,” Carroll said.
Ticket sales jump
Individual tickets for the 2006 season went on sale Saturday, sparking some encouraging news for the Rockies.
“We’re excited about the turnout for tickets today,” said Sue Ann McClaren, vice president of ticket sales and operations. “We don’t have the exact numbers in yet, but it looks like we’re going to sell about 5,000 more tickets today than we did when we opened sales last year.”
According to McClaren, the Rockies sold an estimated 25,000 tickets Saturday, up from the 20,000 sold on the first day of sales last year. Although tickets for the Rockies’ opening-day game April 3 against the Arizona Diamondbacks are going fast, McClaren said seats are available.
Staff writer Patrick Saunders contributed to this report.
