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O'Dowd aims to stick to plan

Tracy Ringolsby, Rocky Mountain News

Published November 16, 2006 at midnight

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NAPLES, Fla. - The Rockies are headed into the fourth year of their rebuilding plan.

General manager Dan O'Dowd is headed into the final year of his contract.

O'Dowd isn't looking for any shortcuts now.

"I feel very clear and confident in what we are trying to do," he said, "and I'm not going to mess up how hard we worked to get to this point and take a step backwards for anything short term."

This is a challenging time for O'Dowd.

After spending the 2004 season with a patchwork of veterans, buying time for another year of development for players in the farm system, the Rockies went through a get-acquainted season in 2005, took a step forward in 2006 and are expected to be a factor in the National League West in 2007.

But the Rockies do have some areas of concern, particularly in the eighth-inning relief role and center field and, to a lesser degree, the back end of the starting rotation, where Josh Fogg remains a viable fifth-starter candidate.

They have discussed the possibility of building a trade around right- hander Jason Jennings with several teams, the most interested of which appear to be Houston and Minnesota.

They have looked at the free- agent market, but mainly in search of bargains with upside potential, such as center fielder Darin Erstad, who, after battling injuries, could be the Frank Thomas of this offseason. Thomas signed with Oakland last year for a $500,000 base salary with $2.5 million in incentives and revived his career with the A's.

O'Dowd, though, isn't looking to overhaul the Rockies roster and isn't going to get caught up in the suddenly skyrocketing free-agent market, which has created scenarios in which a backup catcher (Henry Blanco) gets a two-year, $5 million guarantee from the Cubs or setup reliever Justin Speier is in line for a three-year, $12 million deal in Boston.

"I understand it is the last year of my contract, and I really want to win, but I firmly believe in the direction we are heading and will keep grinding," O'Dowd said. "All I can do is focus on getting better with the guidelines I have."

The Rockies are expected to go into the season with a payroll budget, including salaries and benefits, of about $65 million, which means O'Dowd has slightly more than $6 million remaining for a fifth starter, an eighth-inning reliever and possible center fielder.

JENNINGS ON HOLD: Jennings, who has a $5.5 million guarantee for 2007, was offered a two-year extension that would add $16 million to the guarantee.

The Rockies, meanwhile, have had discussions with several teams about a possible trade. They have talked with Houston about packages that could center on either reliever Brad Lidge or outfielder Chris Burke. With Minnesota, a package would include right-hander Jesse Crain, who grew up in Boulder, and a younger starting pitcher.

Texas officials indicated they remain interested in Jennings but most likely will have to wait until the Rockies exhaust talks with the Astros and Twins.

HUBBARD RETURNS: Former outfielder Trenidad Hubbard, a Rockies fan favorite because of his hustle, has rejoined the organization as a minor league outfielder and baserunning instructor. The position recently was added to the budget. Hubbard spent parts of the 1994, 1995 and 1996 seasons on the Rockies' big league roster. He also appeared in the big leagues with San Francisco, Cleveland, the Dodgers, Atlanta, Baltimore, Kansas City, San Diego and the Cubs during a career that spanned parts of 10 seasons from 1994 to 2003.