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Torrealba likely to return; Matsui almost certainly gone

By Jack Etkin, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published November 28, 2007 at 6:19 p.m.
Updated November 28, 2007 at 6:19 p.m.

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Catcher Yorvit Torrealba completed the first portion of a physical Wednesday in Denver, an indication he and the Rockies have agreed to terms on a contract.

Passing a physical typically is the last step before a contract is finalized and signed. Reliever Matt Herges is scheduled to undergo a physical today in Denver.

Torrealba and Herges filed for free agency after the World Series.

So did second baseman Kazuo Matsui, whom the Rockies have conceded they will lose. Matsui, 32, is expected to sign a three- year deal for about $15 million with the Chicago Cubs or Houston Astros.

Torrealba's new two-year contract is believed to be for about $7 million. That was the Rockies' initial offer to Torrealba before he began negotiation with the New York Mets.

This deal will be the first multiple-year contract for Torrealba, 29, who became the Rockies' regular catcher last season after rookie Chris Iannetta struggled.

"This is the team that actually gave me a chance to play," Torrealba said Wednesday. "I appreciate that. I'm really happy to be back here."

For a time, it appeared Torrealba was headed to the Mets on a three-year, $14.4 million deal. The Rockies were adamant about not offering Torrealba a three-year contract.

"Over there was three years guaranteed," Torrealba said. "It was something I thought about, something that was good for me and my family."

Indications are that with the contract set to be finalized, the Mets balked at a three-year deal. Torrealba said he never really wanted to leave the Rockies and had no reason to do so with Colorado and the Mets offering two- year contracts.

"They kind of tried to renegotiate and we back out," Torrealba said. "Now I have a chance to be where I want to be. I'm looking forward to seeing the fans and my teammates."

Torrealba hit .255 last season with eight home runs and 47 RBI in 113 games. Those were career highs for Torrealba, whose 105 starts at catcher were the second most in club history. Joe Girardi started 119 games in 1995.

Torrealba capitalized on Coors Field, where his .296 average was 84 points higher than on the road. He made seven errors and was tied for sixth among National League catchers with a .991 fielding percentage.

But Torrealba threw out only 13-of-74 (17.6 percent) runners attempting to steal and just two of his last 32.

Herges, 37, whose new contract will be for one year, proved to be a godsend to the Rockies bullpen when he began his second tour with the team July 4.

The Detroit Tigers had been pursuing Herges, who went 5-1 with a 2.96 ERA in 35 games for the Rockies and was effective against left- (.216 average) and right-handed (.184) hitters.

Comments

  • November 29, 2007

    10:49 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    FreeToChoose writes:

    Solid signing since the Rockies don't really have a ready replacement, but the guy is a career back-up who MAY have had a career year or MAY have had a breakthrough year in 2007. The guy did help his case in the NL playoffs with some timely hits. However, he does have plenty of red flags. He handled the staff well, BUT couldn't throw out even average baserunners. He hit well at Coors Field BUT his bat shrunk to demonstrably below average on the road. The Rockies were right to offer only two years for the veteran security, but I bet they'll move Iannetta in to replace him if (or when) they can.

    As important as Torrealba was to the development of that pitching staff, I think Kaz Matsui's presense at the top of the line-up was even more key to their success. I just wonder how the line-up will shake out with Taveras and Tulow at the top for the season. My sense is they'll really miss Matsui up there since Taveras is rather streaky and the pitchers seemed to have Tulow figured out in the playoffs. Taveras will have to find some consistency and Tulow may have to make some adjustments as the league adjusts to him if he wants to avoid a sophmore slump. Otherwise, Holliday may see a lot less pitches to hit next season with the bases empty on a more frequent basis...