Reliever LaTroy Hawkins returned home today, his status with the Rockies changed. The Rockies told Hawkins’ agent Larry Reynolds that they would not be picking up the right-hander’s $3.75-million mutual option next season, exercising a $250,000 buyout clause.
As a result, Hawkins told The Denver Post that he will file for free agency. However his team of choice for next season remains the Rockies.
“Of course I will file, but that doesn’t mean I am going anywhere. I am interested in coming back. Make it clear, I am extremely interested in coming back,” Hawkins said. “It would be nice to see this group stay together.”
The Rockies remain interested in keeping Hawkins at greatly reduced salary, and spelled out a specific plan. He would be a candidate to man the seventh inning, just as he did from May on this past season. Hawkins said he had no problem with that role.
“Why would I? It worked this year didn’t?” Hawkins said. “Again, I am confident we can get something worked out.”
Hawkins, 34, struggled in April, posting an 8.59 ERA, before revealing that he was pitching with a strained right forearm. After returning from the disabled list, he helped stabilize the bullpen. He had a 2.90 ERA after the All-Star break and held opponents to a .133 average in five postseason appearances.
The Rockies bullpen faces a restructuring because of the potential loss of free agents Matt Herges, Jeremy Affeldt, Jorge Julio and Hawkins, with a likely infusion of youth. Manny Corpas is certainty along with Taylor Buchholz, and possibly Ryan Speier and Juan Morillo. Setup man Brian Fuentes, while affordable on a payroll that’s expected to be around $70 million, could be used as trade bait to land a frontline starter.
Footnotes
Rockies general manager Dan O’Dowd said today that he doesn’t a good read yet on whether the team would be able to retain catcher Yorvit Torrealba. Torrealba made $1.075 million last season, and the Mets and Marlins are among the teams that have interest in the free agent.
The Rockies haven’t spoken with the agent for Kazuo Matsui. Matsui is expected to double his salary from $1.5 million, though the impact could be lessened if he signs a multi-year deal. The Cubs like the idea of adding more speed to their order, meaning they could make a run at Matsui.
Rockies bench coach Jamie Quirk has expressed interest in the Pirates’ managerial vacancy. The Pirates haven’t yet contacted the Rockies to ask for permission to speak with Quirk. Dave Holliday, a scout for the Rockies, is also a candidate for the club’s farm director job.
Mark Wiley, a special assistant to O’Dowd, is continually mentioned as a candidate for the Marlins’ pitching coach job, but the Marlins haven’t sought permission to talk to him.
Troy E. Renck: 303-954-1301 or trenck@denverpost.com
