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Caroll traded

By Tracy Ringolsby, Rocky Mountain News

Published December 7, 2007 at 8:21 p.m.

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Infielder Jamey Carroll was traded to the Cleveland Indians on Friday for a player to be determined in a move that ostensibly clears up some of the middle infield logjam and should create payroll flexibility in efforts to add veteran relievers.

The Rockies also continued to wait for final details to be worked out before announcing Aaron Cook agreeing to a three-year, $30 million extension.

The Rockies did not announce or confirm the Carroll deal, but Carroll said he was contacted by Cleveland general manager Mark Shapiro and manager Eric Wedge, who welcomed him to the Indians.

``There seems to be a good fit there, where I can bounce around at a number of positions,’’ said Carroll. ``Obviously it’s a good team. It was one game away from the World Series. It has a good family atmosphere. It seems a lot like the Rockies except it is in Cleveland.’’

Carroll, who was guaranteed $2.3 million in 2008, played two years with the Rockies, spending the bulk of 2006 as the starting second baseman, but moved back into a utility role in 2007.

With the loss of free agent second baseman Kazuo Matsui to Houston this season, the Rockies had four legitimate in-house candidates for that job with Carroll, rookie Jayson Nix, Clint Barmes and Omar Quintanilla, but Nix was expected to get the initial shot at the job and there also have been discussions with free agent Tadahito Iguchi about a two-year deal.

The Rockies appear to be Iguchi’s most viable alternative. While several teams have been in touch with agent Rocky Hall, the Rockies and Philadelphia are the only teams that have had serious conversations, and Philadelphia not only wants Iguchi to play third base, but under baseball rules cannot re-sign him until May 15 because he was released at the end of the season.

The Rockies also continue to talk with right-hander LaTroy Hawkins about returning on a one-year contract. They also have had conversations with Shawn Chacon, but his agents have indicated a number of teams have been in touch, and they still feel a multi-year contract is possible. Rockies officials have said they are reluctant to give a relief pitcher more than one year.

Hawkins originally sought a multi-year deal, but the only firm offer he has is a one-year deal with an option from Texas. The Yankees and Rockies have both discussed parameters of a one-year offer with Hawkins, but other teams that have been identified as having interest in Hawkins have said their talks were exploratory and nothing more.