Rockies report: Inside pitch Nov. 10, 2005
The Sports Xchange

The Rockies have some money to spend this offseason, but it is not going to be a spending spree.

With a reduced payroll but having finally gotten out from under the long-term contracts that had bogged them down the last couple of seasons, general manager Dan O'Dowd has roughly $9 million of flexibility this offseason. It seems like enough money to address the team's needs in light of the Rockies' commitment to their home-grown program.

The Rockies' offseason shopping list consists of two relievers and possibly a third if it's a left-hander, a veteran starting pitcher, a catching alternative and fourth outfielder who can play center field.

None of them will be high-ticket items, so there doesn't figure to be a lot of activity by the Rockies until December, after the Dec. 7 deadline for teams to tender arbitration to free agents, and also after the Dec. 20 deadline for tendering contracts to players on the 40-man roster.

The Rockies are looking at Marquis Grissom as a possible outfield addition, although the club could decide to give the opportunity to farm products Choo Freeman and Ryan Spilborghs.

The October waiver claim of catcher Miguel Ojeda from Seattle provided some protection for Dan Ardoin, but the Rockies could look for additional help. Ojeda does have an option remaining.

Among the catchers who have created interest are Kelly Shoppach, whom the Rockies thought they had acquired from Boston in a trade last July, and Josh Bard, who originally signed with the Rockies but was dealt to Cleveland.

The main area of interest is pitching. They already have had serious talks with right-hander Elmer Dessens, who has shown an interest in Colorado but would like a two-year deal. Other names that have surfaced include right-hander Pedro Astacio and left-handers Shawn Estes and Terry Mulholland. Astacio and Estes both have pitched for the Rockies and enjoyed success in Coors Field.

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Are we giving up on Closser? I think he could still do well at catcher, but whatever. We got the pieces we need, this team will be improved next year with some solid FAs.