Wilin Rosario enters spring training as a catcher, but he’s working hard to become a competent first baseman. (AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post)
Catching up on various Rockies rumors and reports:
* General manager Jeff Bridich tells me that the team is confident that catcher Wilin Rosario can make the transition from catcher to first base, and possibly even right field.
Rosario spent a full week at the team’s training complex in Scottsdale, Ariz. earlier this month, working at first base and the outfield. He will also spend time at the team’s academy in the Dominican Republic before reporting for spring training around Feb. 20.
“I think Wilin has the athletic ability to do this, and he certainly has the work ethic,” Bridich said.
That said, Rosario still will be considered a catcher when he reports to spring training. The other catchers in the mix are newcomer Nick Hundley and Mike McKenry.
The Rockies did explore trades for Rosario, but right now he appears to be part of their 2015 plans. The Rockies value Rosario’s powerful right-handed bat and are confident he will bounce back from a rough 2014 season. Rosario is particularly effective against left-handed pitching. He has a career 1.009 OPS against lefties.
* Concerning last weekend’s reports about the for pitching, a major-league source tells me that while the Rockies have fielded calls about Blackmon throughout the offseason, the club “is not initiating trade talks” for Blackmon.
In other words, the Rockies are willing to listen, but they are not actively looking to trade the outfielder, who made the NL All-Star team last season.
* Earlier this month, there were whispers that the Rockies might have been the ague source told me recently that the Rockies “unequivocally did not make Shields an offer.”
Tags: Charlie Blackmon, James Shields, Jeff Bridich, Wilin Rosario
