| January 14, 2009, 2:30 pm
Rockies re-sign Podsednik on minor-league deal
By Troy E. Renck
Scott Podsednik showed that he could stay healthy and proved he could be happy in a reserve role. As a result, the Rockies re-signed the center fielder on Wednesday to provide outfield depth and speed at the top of the lineup following the departure of Willy Taveras.
Podsednik hit .253 in 93 games last season, while stealing 12 bases. Only Clint Barmes swiped more (13) among returning players.
Other players invited to camp on minor-league deals include pitcher Matt Belisle, former Giants farmhand Dan Ortmeier, catcher Edwin Bellorin and pitcher Cedrick Bowers.
Categories: Rockies on Deck
Tigers avoid arbitration with Rodney
Fernando Rodney spent part of this winter playing with former Rockie Ray King in the Dominican Republic. He's preparing for the possibility that he could be the Detroit Tigers' closer. Detroit is still examining its free agent options, but at least it won't have any contract animosity with the hard-throwing Rodney.
According to a major league source, Rodney avoided arbitration today, agreeing to a one-year, $2.7-million contract. There are no incentives in the deal.
Rodney, 31, went 0-6 with a 4.91 ERA and 13 saves last season.
| January 14, 2009, 11:55 am
Grilli performs WBC encore for Italy
Sitting on the visitors' bench in Turner Field last September, Rockies' reliever Jason Grilli talked so passionately about his family's cooking you could practically smell the pasta. Grilli takes pride in his heritage, which is one of reasons he has verbally agreed to pitch for Italy in the second World Baseball Classic.
"You get to play some real competitive baseball, it's fun and it breaks up the monotony of spring training," Grilli said today. "When the people first heard about the WBC, they snickered and sneered, but I don't think that's the case anymore."
Grilli knows that some pitchers are leary of the WBC, citing the potential for injury or the difficulty of ramping up their offseason to be ready for intense innings in March. Grilli said his participation in the inaugural WBC in 2006 made him better.
"The first few times out in spring your stuff is not there, your timing is off. This enhances it a little more," Grilli said. "I am mature enough to know what my limitations are. No one is out there trying to hurt themself."
Grilli joked that he might make Team USA catcher Chris Iannetta a little uncomfortable. Grilli though that Iannetta was going to play for Italy until a few days ago.
"I don't know what happened there. I guess he wants to play a little longer in the tournament because Italy is not a favorite (in the pool with USA, Venezuela and Canada)," Grilli said. "He's going to have to look out. He might get a few high and tight (pitches)."
Grilli emerged as an important piece of the Rockies' the bullpen after arriving in a trade from the Tigers. He went 3-2 with a 2.93 ERA in 51 games. He will enter spring training as part of a late-inning mix that includes closer candidates Huston Street and Manuel Corpas and fellow setupmen Taylor Buchholz and Alan Embree.
Ep. 13 — 2017 Here We Come
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Ep. 11 — Rockies Manager Search Begins
Ep. 10 — Sit, DJ, Sit
Ep. 9 — There's Always Next Year
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