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Rockies' closer plans unchanged by loss of Weathers

By Tracy Ringolsby, Rocky Mountain News

Published October 23, 2008 at 4:58 p.m.

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The loss of reliever Casey Weathers for a year because of reconstructive elbow surgery is a setback for the Rockies, but it does not impact the status of closer Brian Fuentes, who is headed to free agency.

The Rockies had hoped Weathers could fill a spot in the bullpen at some point in the coming season, but he was never expected to be a candidate to replace Fuentes in the ninth-inning role.

Weathers, the Rockies' first-round draft choice in 2007, was in the Futures Game and on the United States Olympic team, but he has not been a closer above the Double-A level.

The Rockies would like to find a way to retain Fuentes, but growing indications are Fuentes is going to command a major contract on the free-agent market.

* Philadelphia will check out the asking price for left fielder Matt Holliday and third baseman Garrett Atkins, both potential trade candidates.

Boston also has talked internally about Holliday, and the Angels remain a solid possibility for Atkins.

If the Angels were to acquire 2007 NL Cy Young Award winner Jake Peavy from San Diego, it could work in favor of an Atkins deal because the Angels then could feel they had enough depth to move lefty Joe Saunders to the Rockies.

* A year ago Jayson Nix was preparing for a chance to claim a big-league job. Now he's looking for work.

The Rockies' Opening Day second baseman last year, Nix never established himself, hitting .125 in 56 at-bats. After spending the last three years with Triple-A Colorado Springs, Nix was given his release by the Rockies.

His brother, Laynce Nix, an outfielder, also was let go since season's end by Milwaukee. He spent the bulk of last season with Triple-A Nashville.

* Rookie Casper pitching coach Eduardo Villacis, 29, has been let go. Originally a pitcher in the Rockies' system, Villacis, who is from Venezuela, spent the past two years in Casper.

Comments

  • October 28, 2008

    2:46 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Bmac writes:

    When you finally have a few proven good pitchers - you don't lose them. If we lose Fuentes then this proves the Rockie's management/coaches don't know how to win.