--C Yorvit Torrealba, who didn't play after Aug. 25 and underwent surgery to repair a meniscus tear in his left knee, made his debut Oct. 23 for Margarita in the Venezuelan Winter League. He went 4-for-17 (.235) with a triple in six games -- four at first base, one at DH and one as a pinch hitter.
--Alan Cockrell, fired after spending the past two seasons as the Rockies' hitting coach and the past 11 as staff member in the organization, has spoken with the Reds about their Class AA managing job and the Braves about their Class AAA hitting coach job. --Losing RHP Casey Weathers for the 2009 season because of reconstructive elbow surgery won't impact the status of LHP Brian Fuentes, who is headed to free agency.
The Rockies had hoped Weathers, who was scheduled to undergo a ligament transplant Oct. 31 in what is known as Tommy John surgery, could wind up in their bullpen at some point next season but never viewed him as a candidate to take over Fuentes' ninth-inning role. Weathers has never been a closer above the Class AA level and had that responsibility there only briefly this year.
The Rockies are prepared to offer arbitration to Fuentes and pay him $10 million next season, but indications are they won't have that opportunity because Fuentes will end up receiving a sizeable multiyear contract on the free agent market.
--The World Series champion Phillies are expected to find out the asking price for LF Matt Holliday and 3B Garrett Atkins, both potential trade candidates. The Red Sox have had internal discussions about Holliday, and the Angels remain a possible candidate to acquire Atkins.
--INF Jayson Nix, 26, the Rockies' Opening Day starter at second baseman this year, signed with the White Sox after becoming a six-year minor league free agent. Nix will receive $400,000, the major league minimum, if he's in the big leagues and $70,000 in the minors.
Nix hit .125 (7-for-53) in 22 games with the Rockies. He was sent down to Class AAA Colorado Springs on April 26 after hitting .111 (5-for-45) in 17 games, including 12 starts. The Rockies recalled Nix on July 8 but again designated him for assignment on July 19 after he went 2-for-11 in five games, including three starts.
Nix, a member of Team USA that competed in the Beijing Olympics, played in 67 games for Colorado Springs and hit .303 with 17 homers and 51 RBIs.
BY THE NUMBERS: 11 2/3 -- Innings needed by RHP Aaron Cook for first place in franchise history in that category. Cook, who has spent his entire career with the Rockies, has pitched 929 2/3 innings. The franchise leader is Jason Jennings, who also holds the franchise record for wins (58). Cook is second in that category with 52.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I think this was a year for him that you definitely don't raise your hand and say, 'Hey, give me one of those.' But at the same time, numerous opportunities for self-evaluation and lessons learned were provided to him this season." -- Manager Clint Hurdle on SS Troy Tulowitzki, who went on the disabled list twice with leg and hand injuries, missed 60 games and hit .166 in 38 games before the All-Star break. After being reinstated July 21 from the second injury, he hit .327 with five homers, 30 RBIs and a .389 on-base percentage in 62 games.
