Baseball’s free-agent market bustled a bit Friday but the Rockies made no moves the day after a new collective bargaining agreement was reached between Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Union.
The Rockies have been tied to free-agent sluggers Kris Bryant, Kyle Schwarber, Michael Conforto and Nick Castellanos, but other teams are also in the mix. As for Conforto, a major-league source said that while Colorado remains interested in the former New York Mets outfielder, landing Conforto is “not a top priority.”
Meanwhile, Rockies general manager Bill Schmidt played things close to the vest Friday as several Rockies players reported to Salt River Fields.
“We’re looking to try to get better,” “We’ll see what happens. I don’t know how itap going to play out. We’re going to make attempts.”
Moves made by other clubs Friday will have an effect on the Rockies. According to , left-hander Clayton Kershaw and the Los Angeles Dodgers have agreed to a one-year, $17 million deal to keep the future Hall of Fame pitcher with the only organization he has ever known. Kershaw, a three-time Cy Young Award winner and eight-time All-Star, pitched a no-hitter against the Rockies in 2014.
There had been speculation that Colorado was interested in veteran Andrelton Simmons as a defense-first shortstop to fill the hole left by the departure of Trevor Story to free agency. Simmons, however, agreed to a one-year, $4 million deal with the Cubs, according to several national reports.
Gomber’s good. Left-hander Austin Gomber, acquired from St. Louis last February as part of the trade for third baseman Nolan Arenado, was among a handful of players who showed up at camp Friday. Gomber told MLB.com that he’s completely healed from the stress fracture in his lower back that curtailed his 2021 season.
Gomber finished his first season with the Rockies 9-9 with a 4.53 ERA and a 1.240 WHIP over 23 starts (115 1/3 innings). The southpaw starter began the season slowly, then pitched very well from mid-May through mid-June, before showing inconsistent results. He also missed a month due to left forearm tightness before returning to the mound on July 21.
Cactus League revised. MLB’s 99-day lockout delayed spring training and forced the Rockies’ Cactus League schedule to be revised. The Rockies now open their spring season by hosting Arizona on March 17 at Salt River Fields. The 19-game schedule concludes on April 5 against Cleveland at Salt River.
Opening day tickets. The Rockies announced Friday that tickets for the home opener vs. the Dodgers on April 8 will go on sale beginning March 18. Tickets for the final two games of the opening-weekend series against the Dodgers went on sale on Friday via the Rockies website. Also, tickets for other popular series featuring the Giants, Cubs, Cardinals, and Braves, as well as the annual fireworks games (July 1 and 2) are also currently on sale.
Tickets may be purchased online at
