While the door might be closing on veteran catcher Yorvit Torrealba rejoining the Rockies, it’s wide open for free-agent reliever Matt Capps.
“I just don’t think it’s going to work out,” Rockies general manager Dan O’Dowd said Tuesday when asked about Torrealba. “Negotiations can always change, but right now I’m not optimistic.”
O’Dowd did confirm the club is interested in free- agent catcher Miguel Olivo.
“He is certainly on our list of possibilities, but it’s a very fluid situation right now,” O’Dowd said.
Last week, the Rockies and Torrealba seemed close to agreeing to a two-year deal. However, the two sides are now in a stalemate over contract details. Torrealba is seeking a two-year, $6 million deal, according to major- league sources, while the Rockies offered $5.6 million.
Torrealba is scheduled to be in New York today to resolve his pending grievance with the Mets. Ironically, Torrealba could begin talks on a new contract with the Mets if the club is unable to reel in free-agent Bengie Molina.
As for Capps, O’Dowd said the Rockies are “absolutely interested” in the former Pirates closer. At least nine teams have called agent Paul Kinzer about Capps since he was nontendered by Pittsburgh.
Capps, just 26, has 67 saves since 2006, but he slumped last year, going 4-8 with a 5.80 ERA. However, he did convert 27-of-32 save chances.
Rockies manager Jim Tracy was Capps’ manager in Pittsburgh in 2006-07. That could work to Colorado’s advantage.
“Tracy has a good relationship with him,” O’Dowd said. “Plus, he is a good bounce- back candidate, and we’ve had some success with that here.”
While the Rockies have been pursuing a long-term deal with closer Huston Street, there are no guarantees that will get done.
“Our closer (Street) is entering the final year of his contract, so you never know how things are going to play out,” O’Dowd said.
Footnotes.
Former Angels utility man Robb Quinlan has emerged as a solid candidate for the Rockies’ bench. . . . Former Rockies third baseman Garrett Atkins, nontendered by the club Saturday, is receiving a lot of attention, according to his agent.
Patrick Saunders: 303-954-1428 or psaunders@denverpost.com
