Rusch likely to re-sign with Rockies

By Tracy Ringolsby, Rocky Mountain News

Published December 8, 2008 at 8:23 p.m.

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LAS VEGAS — Left-handed pitcher Glendon Rusch appears ready to return to the Rockies.

The club made an offer to re-sign Rush last week, and indications on Monday were that the two sides were moving forward. The deal is similar to the $850,000 Rusch made a year ago, and a key to Rusch’s desire to return to the Rockies is his relationship with manager Clint Hurdle.

The Rockies project Rusch initially in a long relief role, but with the idea that he could move into the rotation if a need arises. The Rockies currently have a projected rotation of Aaron Cook, Ubaldo Jimenez, Jeff Francis, Jorge De La Rosa and lefty Greg Smith, who came from Oakland in the Matt Holliday trade. Right-handers Greg Reynolds and Jason Hirsh, and lefty Franklin Morales will also be given a chance to win a starting job.

After joining the Rockies on May 31 last year, Rusch was used in various roles on the pitching staff, going 4-3 with a 4.78 ERA in 23 appearances, including nine starts.

SIDELINED

Outfielder Carlos Gonzalez, a key part of the trade that sent Matt Holliday to Oakland, has been sidelined by a viral infection that has kept him out of the lineup in Venezuela the past two weeks. Rockies general manager Dan O’Dowd said Gonzalez will play all three outfield positions in the spring, but will be among a group of players who will get a look in center field.

He said Seth Smith and Ian Stewart will both get time in left field with Stewart also playing some second base in light of the anticipated return of third baseman Garrett Atkins. In center, however, the candidates will be Gonzalez, Dexter Fowler, Ryan Spilborghs, and Willy Taveras “if he is still with us.” O’Dowd has admitted he is shopping Taveras, but three teams that were thought to have interest – Cincinnati, the Yankees and Boston – indicated on Monday they were looking at other options.

BACKUP

The Rockies have expressed interest in free agent catcher Josh Bard, but it isn’t likely to be a fit because initially their only opening would be at Triple-A. They are set with Chris Iannetta as the starting catcher, and given the contract of Yorvit Torrealba there is no interest in him on the trade market. Torrealba is guaranteed $4 million -- $3.5 million in salary in 2009 and $500,000 on a buyout of an option for 2010. O’Dowd isn’t concerned about how Torrealba will handle being the backup.

“He’s going to have to because that’s the way it goes,” he said.

CONTACT TALK

O’Dowd indicated the team will explore a multi-year deal with Jimenez after the holidays, “but we won’t be doing any of that once spring training starts.”

He said he would like to see Iannetta go into a season as the No. 1 catcher and handle the job for a full season before talking to him about a long-term deal.

FRANCIS OUT OF WBC

Mexico has shown interest in De La Rosa to pitch on the country’s WBC team that will be managed by Rockies special assistant Vinny Castilla, but the team is hesitant to give approach unless De La Rosa is used as a starter because they don’t want to interfere with his preparation for the regular season.

Francis is not a candidate to pitch for Canada. Players who finished the 2008 season on the disabled list cannot participate in the WBC if they are under multi-year contracts because the contracts are not covered against injuries in that instance. Francis was sidelined with left shoulder problems at the end of last season.

EXPOSED

Speedster infielder Cory Wimberly is being mentioned prominently by other organizations as a player likely to be taken in the winter draft on Thursday. Wimberly has spent four years in the Rockies organization and is draft eligible because he wasn’t placed on the 40-man winter roster. Right-handed pitcher Dave Patton also is being considered by several teams.

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