TUCSON — It was cold, wet and miserable this morning in the Arizona desert. Snow frosted nearby mountain peaks.
But all things considered, Yorvit Torreabla would still rather be here than in sunny Port St. Lucie, Fla. with the Mets.
“The truth is, I always wanted to stay with the Rockies,” the catcher said. “These are the guys I went to the World Series with. These are guys I like being around. I think you have to say it all worked out for the best.”
But Torreabla’s offseason dance with the Mets was more than a flirtation. The free agent signed a term sheet with the Mets for a three-year, $14.4 million deal, but the deal collapsed in the 23rd hour. Initial reports were that the Mets pulled out over concerns about the catcher’s right shoulder. But as it turned out, the deal fell through at the last minute when the Mets reversed course and traded for veteran catcher Johnny Estrada.
“My shoulder feels good, way better than last year,” said Torrealba, who threw out just 17.6 percent of base stealers last season. “I’ve been throwing five days a week for the last two months.”
Torrealba said he’s close to correcting the bad throwing habits he developed after injuring his shoulder two years ago.
Torrealba’s new contract with the Rockies — a two-year, $7.25 million deal with a mutual option for 2010 — ensures he opens spring training as the club’s No. 1 catcher. Last year, highly touted rookie Chris Iannetta departed Tucson as the club’s top catcher before hitting woes landed him on the bench.
“There is a little relief,” Torrealba said. “Two years ago I got hurt, and then last year was a little frustrating for me. But now I know these guys believe in me and I don’t have to worry about it too much. I just have to keep working.”
Fuentes loses arbitration.
The Rockies defeated reliever Brian Fuentes in salary arbitration today when a panel ruled the reliever should get $5.05 million this year rather than the $6.5 million he was seeking.
Arbitrators Robert Bailey, Dan Brent and Elliott Shriftman made the decision after listening to arguments from both sides Thursday. Fuentes made $3,525,000 last year, when he saved 20 games. However, he lost his role as closer to Manny Corpas and will be a setup man for the Rockies this season.
Right fielder Brad Hawpe avoided a hearing when he reached a deal with the club Thursday for a one-year contract worth $3,925,000.
Redman wants to start.
There is room left at the back of the Rockies’ rotation, and lefty Mark Redman wants to move in permanently.
“My mindset is to be starter,” Redman said. “That’s what I’ve done throughout my major-league career. That’s how I have to approach it and that’s the way the Rockies want me to approach it. If it doesn’t work out, I guess I could end up in the bullpen.”
Redman, 34, went 2-0 with a 3.20 ERA in five games (three starts) with the Rockies last season. He opened 2007 with the Atlanta Braves but went 0-4 with an 11.63 ERA. He believes the lackluster stuff he showed with the Braves was an aberration.
“I’m ready to be a starter,” he said. “I’ve been working really hard on a cutter (cut fastball). It worked for me real well in some big games last year, so it’s going to be exciting. I think I’m much more consistent with it.”
Late additions.
Several veterans found jobs on the eve of spring training.
Former Rockie Greg Norton, whom Colorado had some interest in bringing back, signed a minor-league deal with the Mariners on Friday.
Norton was once one of the Rockies’ best pinch-hitters before reviving his career as an everyday player in Tampa Bay the past few seasons. Norton will make $550,000 if he makes the team.
Former San Diego outfielder Brady Clark, who had a difficult day in center field during the Rockies’ tiebreaker win over the Padres, signed a minor-league deal with the Mets.
Craig Wilson, a former utilityman, is hoping to re-energize his career with the Reds after a disappointing season last year. He will make $850,000 if he’s on the major-league club.
Footnotes.
The Rockies hold their first official workout of spring training Saturday. Position players don’t have to report until Feb. 22, but a number of them are already practicing, including first baseman Todd Helton; starting second base candidates Jayson Nix, Clint Barmes and Jeff Baker; and center fielder Willy Taveras. After today’s wet weather, skies are supposed to clear with temperatures in the mid-60s on Saturday.
Patrick Saunders: 303-954-1428 or psaunders@denverpost.com
