While lacking the splash of a big-name addition, the Rockies have added depth and addressed a key relief role this week.
The Rockies finally made their two-year, $7.5-million contract with reliever Luis Vizcaino official. Vizcaino can trigger a third-year option for $4 million if he makes a combined 168 appearances in the first two seasons of the contract or appears in 68 games in 2009, according to contract information obtained by The Denver Post.
Vizcaino will function as an eighth-inning setup man with Brian Fuentes, creating a bridge to closer Manny Corpas. That slides Matt Herges into an earlier role. The Rockies still expect Herges to address his appearance in the Mitchell report. It remains possible that Herges will be suspended at the start of next season, possibly 15 days if commissioner Bud Selig follows the blueprint applied to Jay Gibbons and Jose Guillen a few weeks ago.
With the bullpen needs met, Colorado continues trolling for a veteran second baseman to compete with rookie Jayson Nix in spring training. The Rockies have interest in Marcus Giles, Jose Castillo and Todd Walker, a former Rockie. Current Rockies like Garrett Atkins and Matt Holliday have expressed confidence in Nix and want to see him get a shot after his strong winter showing with Team USA.
As promised earlier in the week, the Rockies added several players on minor-league deals with pitchers John Koronka and Micah Bowie having the best chance to land a roster spot. Both are left-handed. The Rockies will also watch Brian Anderson throw next month, and he remains a candidate to sign a minor-league deal.
Other minor-league signings included pitcher Chris George, infielder Matt Kata, who spent part of last year with the Pirates, and catcher Mike Rose, a former minor-league teammate of Aaron Miles.
