A summer swoon not only spoiled the Rockies’ season, but shaped their offseason wish list. Colorado will attempt to add an everyday center fielder, an eighth-inning reliever and a bat off the bench. More important, manager Clint Hurdle said Wednesday he believes the Rockies will have money to address those needs.
“That’s my understanding,” Hurdle said.
This isn’t to suggest that Vernon Wells, Gary Matthews Jr. or Alan Embree will fit into the budget, but at least there will be some money earmarked for holes in the Rockies’ lineup. With Matthews and Juan Pierre likely to seek around $8 million per season, that means Colorado may be looking at lower-cost options such as Coco Crisp, Darin Erstad or Steve Finley.
Hurdle and general manager Dan O’Dowd also want a veteran reliever to form the bridge to closer Brian Fuentes. They have interest in bringing back Jose Mesa, but view him more in an earlier role next season. Potential free agents include everyone from David Weathers to LaTroy Hawkins.
“I have no idea what the payroll will be, but I need to make us better with the parameters I have. There just needs to be more focus on winning,” O’Dowd said. “We need to eliminate excuses.
“Talking about payroll, that would be an excuse.”
FOOTNOTES: Hurdle plans to map out a playing schedule with Todd Helton for next season, believing he can be more productive by playing fewer than 150 games. … The Rockies envision a two-headed second-base monster with Jamey Carroll and Kaz Matsui next season. Matsui, however, will become a free agent. “Kaz’s speed sticks out on this team like a sore thumb. And Jamey has more team (selfless) at-bats than anyone,” Hurdle said. … As expected, Jason Jennings will not pitch in Sunday’s season finale in Chicago. “I just don’t want to do anything stupid,” he said.
