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Rockies offer arbitration to free agent closer Fuentes

By Tracy Ringolsby, Rocky Mountain News

Published December 1, 2008 at 6:12 p.m.

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Free-agent closer Brian Fuentes was offered arbitration by the Rockies.

Photo by David Zalubowski / Associated Press

Free-agent closer Brian Fuentes was offered arbitration by the Rockies.

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The Rockies assured themselves of receiving two draft choices if they lose free-agent reliever Brian Fuentes by offering the left-handed closer arbitration on Monday.

The Rockies declined to offer arbitration to five other players who filed for free agency - outfielder Scott Podsednik, left-handed pitcher Glendon Rusch, right-handed pitchers Matt Herges and Livan Hernandez, and catcher Adam Melhuse.

The Rockies, however, remain interest in re-signing Rusch as well as Podsednik, although they want to move outfielder Willy Taveras before working a deal with Podsednik.

Fuentes could accept the Rockies' arbitration offer, and would earn a projected salary of $10 million, but it would only be a one-year deal. Fuentes is in line for at least a three-year, $30 million deal, with his agents having talked to teams about as much as a four-year deal worth $44 million.

The Mets have been the most aggressive team, choosing to pass on the bidding for Francisco Rodriguez in hopes of getting Fuentes signed before the teams that lose out on Rodriguez turn their attention to Fuentes.

By offering Fuentes arbitration, the Rockies will receive two of the top 50 picks in next June's draft if Fuentes signs with another team.

If a team that had one of the 15 best records in baseball last year signs Fuentes, the Rockies would receive that team's first-round pick plus a bonus pick between the first and second round.

If one of the teams with the 15 worst records in 2008 signs Fuentes, the Rockies would get the bonus pick plus the team's second- round selection.