Hawpe, Rockies agree to three-year deal

By Tracy Ringolsby, Rocky Mountain News

Monday, March 3, 2008

Photo by Barry Gutierrez

Outfielder Brad Hawpe is poised to sign a three-year contract with the Rockies.

Rockies ownership took another step to reaffirm its commitment to the long-term stability of the franchise Monday.

Right fielder Brad Hawpe agreed to a three-year contract that includes a club option for 2011, which would be his first year of eligibility for free agency, making him the sixth player on the roster whom the Rockies have under contract through at least 2010.

The sides worked out final details Monday, agent Dan Horwitz said.

The Rockies declined to comment until the formal announcement is made today.

Before last year, left-handed pitcher Jeff Francis agreed to a four-year contract.

Since the end of last year, the Rockies have signed right-handed pitcher Aaron Cook to a three- year extension that guarantees him $34.5 million during the next four seasons; shortstop Troy Tulowitzki to a six-year, $31 million deal that includes an option on a seventh year; right-handed reliever Manny Corpas to a four-year, $8.25 million deal that includes two options; and Hawpe, who will be guaranteed $17,425,000 and has the right to negate the $10 million option if he is traded. Tulowitzki received a similar veto on his option.

Todd Helton already was signed to a long-term deal that goes through 2011, with the Rockies holding an option on 2012.

"It is an indication they are willing to pay the money to keep most of the guys," outfielder Matt Holliday said. "Hopefully, Garrett (Atkins) and me, too. What this means for me, I don't know, but it is a positive for the direction of the franchise."

What each of the contracts in the past 14 months has shown is not only have the Rockies been willing to provide guaranteed multiyear deals, but the players have made financial concessions in return.

The Rockies made a run at third baseman Atkins a year ago when they signed Francis, but no progress was made and preliminary discussions during the past offseason didn't advance, either.

Then there is Holliday, who is seen as a completely separate issue from the other contracts the Rockies have addressed recently.

There was a first step taken in trying to build a long-term deal when Holliday signed a two-year, $23 million deal in January that covers his final two years of arbitration eligibility.

The next move will be to find out if a multiyear extension can be agreed upon. It figures to take at least a five-year extension, but the Rockies are more likely to land in the average of $18 million a year, as opposed to $20 million.

"Whether all this bodes well for me or not, I don't know," Holliday said. "It's probably not a question for me to answer."

But what Holliday does know is the Rockies have made the effort to keep the nucleus of the team together.

The situation is in place that, if Holliday were to sign, he won't face the scenario Helton was in the past couple of years or Larry Walker dealt with in his final seasons, where their contracts constantly were raised in public discussions as being impediments to the Rockies being able to afford to sign other key players.

Each player who has signed has indicated he was willing to make concessions because he was comfortable with his situation in the field, in the clubhouse and in the community.

"This is the direct result of the fact that Brad is happy with the Rockies and the direction they are taking and he wants to be a part of what they are doing," Horwitz said. "I'm an advocate of a young player getting a deal that allows him to set his family up (financially), knowing that they will have another opportunity (at free agency) when they are still in the prime of their careers."

Hawpe, who turns 29 in June, would be 32 at the expiration of the contract if the Rockies exercise the option, which would put him in position to sign another long-term deal.

In two seasons as the Rockies' everyday right fielder, Hawpe has hit .292 with 51 home runs and 200 RBI.

He has struggled against left- handed pitchers (.220 career), but he went 7-for-14 against left-handers in the final days of the Rockies' surge last season to the postseason.

The converted first baseman also had 32 assists the past three years. He platooned in right field in 2005.

SECOND STUFF

Jeff Baker came off the bench and played the final four innings of Monday's game at second base, continuing to impress with how quickly he has adjusted defensively. He also went 1-for-2 with an RBI single in the Rockies' 7-5 victory against Arizona at Tucson Electric Park.

"We have a more acute eye on his defense," manager Clint Hurdle said of evaluating Baker's attempt to convert to second base.

Ian Stewart, another third baseman who is going to get a look at second during spring training, will make his second appearance, and first start, at second base in today's game against Kansas City at Hi Corbett Field.

WORKING

Aaron Cook faces Arizona enough that he knows there are no secrets. In spring training, , Cook might create some doubts in the minds of Diamondback hitters because of the way he mixes up pitches.

He allowed one run - a home run by Chris Young - in three innings Monday.

"In spring training, you experiment with pitches, throwing different things in different situations, and you work on pitches," Cook said. "Last year in spring training, I worked on a change. This year, I'm working on a four-seam fastball and cut fastball."

CHALLENGED

Kip Wells was working in his three innings. He gave up only one run, but that was thanks to two double plays. Six Arizona batters reached base, including three on walks and one hit batter.

"He was able to get out of the situation, but when you are working out of the stretch, you put yourself in vulnerable situations," Hurdle said.

QUICK HITS

* The Rockies signed all their pre-arbitration players to contracts, avoiding having to renew anyone.

* Minor-league pitchers and catchers checked into camp last weekend. The position players will report Friday. The minor-league exhibition season begins March 13.

Tuesday's game

* Rockies (Ubaldo Jimenez) vs. Royals (Brett Tomko), Hi Corbett Field, Tucson, 1:05 p.m. No TV or radio.

Also scheduled to pitch for the Rockies: Victor Zambrano, Taylor Buchholz, Casey Weathers, Brandon Hynick, Luis Vizcaino, Alberto Arias and Sean Thompson.

Brian Lawrence, who asked out of his deal with the Rockies when he didn't make the major league team last spring, is among the Royals pitchers scheduled to follow Tomko.

Rockies 7, Arizona 5

Colorado ab r h bi Arizona ab r h bi

Taveras cf 2 0 0 0 Young cf 3 1 2 2

Spilborghs cf 1 0 0 0 Raines Jr. cf 2 0 0 0

Giles 2b 2 1 0 0 Burkee ss 3 0 0 0

Baker 2b 2 0 1 1 Rahl rf 1 0 0 0

Helton 1b 2 2 1 0 Hudson 2b 1 0 1 0

Colonel 1b 2 0 0 0 D'Antona 3b 1 0 0 0

Holliday lf 3 0 0 0 Reynolds 3b 1 0 0 0

Smith lf 1 1 1 0 Romero lf 1 0 0 0

Hawpe rf 2 1 1 3 Jackson 1b 3 0 0 0

Barker rf 2 0 1 1 Brito 1b 1 0 0 0

Torrealba c 3 1 1 1 Salazar lf 3 0 0 0

Corpas p 0 0 0 0 Merchan 2b 1 0 1 0

Kata ph-3b 0 0 0 0 Hammock c 2 0 0 0

Stewart 3b 4 0 2 1 Castillo c 2 1 0 0

Fuentes p 0 0 0 0 Parra rf 3 1 1 0

Clarke p 0 0 0 0 Oeltjen ph 1 1 1 0

Herrera ss 4 0 0 0 Nixon ph 1 0 0 0

Cook p 0 0 0 0 Kelly ss 1 1 1 3

Wells p 1 0 0 0 Robertson p 1 0 0 0

Rose ph-c 1 1 1 0

Totals 32 7 9 7 Totals 32 5 7 5

Colorado300 002 011 - 7 0 0

Arizona001 010 003 - 5 0 0

LOB - Colorado 7, Arizona 5. 2B - Young, Parra, Torrealba, Barker. 3B - Hudson. HR - Kelly (1), Young (1), Hawpe (1). SB - Hudson. S - Cook.

Colorado IP H R ER BB SO

Cook (W, 1-1) 3 2 1 1 0 2

Wells 3 2 1 1 3 0

Corpas 1 0 0 0 1 0

Fuentes 1 0 0 0 0 2

Clarke 1 3 3 3 0 1

Arizona IP H R ER BB SO

Nippert (L, 0-2 2 2 3 3 2 0

Robertson 2 0 0 0 1 0

Goocher 1 0 0 0 1 1

Elliott 1 3 2 2 0 2

Shappi 1 0 0 0 1 0

Rosen 1 2 1 1 1 2

Kinsey 1 2 1 1 2 1

WP - Cook.

T - 2:50. A - 4,039.