The Rockies were proactive in trading LF Matt Holliday, who can be a free agent after this season, to the A's for three players in November, knowing there would be a glut of corner outfielders on the market and it behooved them to move quickly. 

Among the things I don't like about covering the NHL are the minimal standards for vetting trade rumors before they're tossed out into print, on the air or into cyberspace. 

Among the things I don't like about covering the NHL are the minimal standards for vetting trade rumors before they're tossed out into print, on the air or into cyberspace. 

The Colorado Rockies are watching Carlos Gonzalez closely in every batting session, bunting drill and outfield station, especially his control at the plate. 

The Rockies were proactive in trading LF Matt Holliday, who can be a free agent after this season, to the A's for three players in November, knowing there would be a glut of corner outfielders on the market and it behooved them to move quickly. 

The Rockies were proactive in trading LF Matt Holliday, who can be a free agent after this season, to the A's for three players in November, knowing there would be a glut of corner outfielders on the market and it behooved them to move quickly. 

The Rockies were proactive in trading LF Matt Holliday, who can be a free agent after this season, to the A's for three players in November, knowing there would be a glut of corner outfielders on the market and it behooved them to move quickly. 

Left-hander Jeff Francis is scheduled to undergo exploratory arthroscopic surgery on his left shoulder Feb. 

--As LHP Jeff Francis' shoulder problems lingered in the offseason, the Rockies made a contingency move by acquiring durable RHP Jason Marquis from the Cubs in January. 

Left-hander Jeff Francis is scheduled to undergo exploratory arthroscopic surgery on his left shoulder Feb. 

--As LHP Jeff Francis' shoulder problems lingered in the offseason, the Rockies made a contingency move by acquiring durable RHP Jason Marquis from the Cubs in January. 

Left-hander Jeff Francis is scheduled to undergo exploratory arthroscopic surgery on his left shoulder Feb. 

--As LHP Jeff Francis' shoulder problems lingered in the offseason, the Rockies made a contingency move by acquiring durable RHP Jason Marquis from the Cubs in January. 

Colorado Rockies left-hander Jeff Francis will have exploratory surgery on his pitching shoulder next week and expects to miss the 2009 season. 

Colorado Rockies left-hander Jeff Francis says he will have exploratory surgery on his pitching shoulder next week and will likely miss the 2009 season.