--The Rockies had pursued RHP Tim Redding, who is looking for a two-year deal. They weren't going to give Redding a multiyear deal, preferring one season with RHP Jason Marquis instead.
--INF Luis Gonzalez signed a minor league contract with the Rockies, a deal that includes salaries of $10,000 a month if he's at Class AAA and $500,000 in the big leagues. Gonzalez, 29, played in 291 games and hit 23 homers with 98 RBIs in 875 at-bats for the Rockies from 2004-2006 after they took him from Cleveland in the December 2003 Rule 5 draft. The Rockies sold the rights to Gonzalez to the Yomiuri Giants prior to the 2007 season because they had no needs at second base, which is Gonzalez's primary position, because of the presence of Kazuo Matsui and Jamey Carroll. Gonzalez was suspended in May for a year by Japanese baseball after testing positive for amphetamines. At the time, Gonzalez was hitting .307 (35-for-114) with two homers and 17 RBIs.
Gonzalez, who was the Rockies' Opening Day second baseman in 2004 and 2006, played all of the infield positions and the corner outfield positions with the Rockies. His best chance to make the team will be as a utility type. With Ryan Spilborghs, a key reserve last season, the favorite to start in center field following the departure of Willy Taveras, the Rockies need to add some right-handed hitting to their bench.
--The Angels' signing of closer Brian Fuentes will bring the Rockies two draft picks as compensation for losing him after offering arbitration. The Rockies will receive the Angels' first-round choice, either the 32nd or 33rd overall selection, depending on whether Seattle signs Josh Fields, its first-round pick last year. Colorado also will get a compensation pick between the first and second rounds, which will be the 39th or 40th pick. If Seattle fails to sign Fields, the Mariners will get a bonus pick in the first round.
--OF Ryan Spilborghs was 8-for-47 (.170) with 14 strikeouts in his first 13 games for Obregon in the Mexican Pacific League before going 5-for-16 with four walks in his next four games. Spilborghs is playing center field in winter ball to prepare for spring training, when he will try to become the regular at that position.
--OF Carlos Gonzalez, who will participate in the Rockies' Winter Development Program at Coors Field this month, hit .292 (26-for-89) with two homers and 14 RBIs for Zulia this winter in his native Venezuela. The two homers along with five RBIs came Dec. 18, when Gonzalez returned after missing nearly a month with a viral infection. After his return, Gonzalez went 10-for-37 in 10 games with 13 strikeouts.
Gonzalez, 23, has tremendous tools and was the key player acquired by the Rockies from Oakland in the November trade that sent LF Matt Holliday to the A's. But he was plagued by strikeouts last season, fanning 81 times in 302 at-bats with the A's before they sent him back to Class AAA. Gonzalez seems likely to start the season at that level in the Rockies organization unless he shows dramatic improvement in spring training as far as making consistent contact and putting the ball in play.
BY THE NUMBERS: 2.51 -- ERA for RHP Jason Marquis at Coors Field, where he is 3-0 in five games (28 2/3 innings).
QUOTE TO NOTE: "That nugget is out for him to finish the drill, to finish the season. It's another step that can be put in play, and I know it's a challenge that he's ready and willing to take on, because ... he didn't finish what he started. Everybody wants to finish what they start." -- Manager Clint Hurdle on RHP Aaron Cook, who made the All-Star team last year, led the Rockies with 16 wins and 211 1/3 innings but failed to win any of his final four starts to tie the franchise record of 17 and was scratched from his last outing due to fatigue.
