Colorado
Rockies

News: According to Patrick Newman's NPB Tracker, former Colorado hurler Jose Contreras is considering pitching in Japan next season.
Impact: Apparently Contreras has contacted the Hanshin Tigers and will be visiting Japan next week. He's entering his 16-year-old son in an exchange program, but will likely reach out to some pro clubs while overseas. The 37-year-old finished last season with a 4.92 ERA and 1.47 WHIP in his 23 starts, so he likely won't be fantasy relevant even if he stays stateside.  

News: Corpas (elbow) still hasn't pitched in winter ball this offseason.
Impact: Reports about Corpas' health have been positive this fall, but we'd like to see him back on the mound with his velocity back to normal before endorsing him as a staff filler option -- or even as an insurance policy for closer Huston Street in 2010. 

News: Catcher Paul Phillips has signed a one-year contract to stay with the Rockies, according to the Denver Post.
Impact: It's a minor league contract that will pay him $450,000 if he's added to the major league roster. Chris Iannetta will be the Rockies starter in 2010.  

News: Phillips signed a minor-league deal with the Rockies on Friday, the Denver Post reports.
Impact: Phillips would likely back up Chris Iannetta if Yorvit Torrealba doesn't re-sign with the club. 

News: The Denver Post is reporting that the Rockies will not release third baseman Garrett Atkins before the December 12 non-tender date. The team would like more time to try to trade Atkins to get something in return.
Impact: Atkins is obviously not in the Rockies' plans for next season, but they want to get something in return for him when he goes. There are several teams interested, but they all might wait until his release before going after him. 

News: SI.com is reporting that Rockies' manager Jim Tracy has been named the NL Manager of the Year. Tracy is only the second man to win the award after taking over his team in the middle of the season.
Impact: The Rockies were dead in the water when Tracy took over, and he lit a fire under his players and led them to a Wild Card berth. He received all but two of the first place votes. 

News: Marquis, a Staten Island, NY native, told the NY Post that he considers the Mets "a perfect fit" while expressing his admiration both for their lineup and Citi Field.
Impact: A source said the Mets like Marquis, but have him below John Lackey and Joel Pineiro on their pecking order of potential rotation additions. Marquis, like Pineiro, is more of a bottom-of-the rotation fit, and the team's pursuit of him will likely depend on if other personnel changes were made. 

News: The Phillies are reportedly interested in trade talks with the Rockies regarding outfielder Ryan Spilborghs, according to Troy Renck of the Denver Post.
Impact: That is of course if the Rockies are willing to deal Spilborghs and go with another in-house option like Matt Murton. The Phillies would like to add him to improve their outfield depth and another option as a pinch-hitter and runner.  

News: The Rockies declined their $5 million 2010 option on Betancourt on Friday, the Denver Post reports.
Impact: He'll become a free agent, but the Rockies are likely to pursue a two-year contract with Betancourt, who is a Type-A free agent. 

News: The Rockies have declined a $5 million option on Betancourt, a key setup man as the Rockies won the NL wild-card race.
Impact: Betancourt can now become a free agent. Colorado general manager Dan O'Dowd says the team will continue to negotiate with the reliever. 

News: The Rockies have declined their $5 million, 2010 option on reliever Rafael Betancourt, according to Ed Price of AOL Fanhouse.
Impact: However, they have a strong interest in keeping him. A new deal could be worked out in the next few days. 

News: The Baltimore Sun reports that the Orioles are interested in Rockies third baseman Garrett Atkins.
Impact: The O's likely won't make a move until they find out if Atkins is non-tendered in December, but their interest is legit. Despite having a terrible season (.226/.308/.342) the third baseman is expected to be awarded around $7 million in arbitration and the Rockies likely won't pay it. If Baltimore can wait it out, they won't have to give up any prospects in return for him. Wherever he lands, Atkins will be a dicey fantasy choice in 2010. 

News: Texas would be interested in Atkins if he's non-tendered by the Rockies as expected, the Dallas Morning News reports.
Impact: Texas doesn't really need a corner infield bat, particulary with Justin Smoak nearly ready for the majors, so the interest figures to be minimal. 

News: Rosario earned Player of the Week honors in a week which he hit .545 (6-for-11) with three homers.
Impact: His wrist no longer appears to be an issue, and with Rockies' backup catcher Yorvit Torrealba filing for free agency, the stage is set for Rosario to make an appearance in the Majors before 2010 is up. 

News: Roe has been bitten by the flu bug, the team's official site reports.
Impact: "I was feeling good, and was ready to go, then I woke up the morning of my first start and could barely move," Roe said. He is finally beginning to live up to his reputation, and may see time in the majors, but likely not before 2010. 

News: Contreras filed for free agency Monday, the team's official site reports.
Impact: Contreras performed well for the Rockies in a stop-gap role, earning a 1.23 ERA over 7.1 innings with the club. Colorado seems an unlikely spot for him to land in the off season. 

News: Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports that the Rockies intend to shop outfielder Brad Hawpe this offseason.
Impact: The Rox have an abundance of young talent in the outfield, and often benched Hawpe down the stretch in 2009, despite the fact that he made the All-Star team. With there being many, many teams in search of corner outfielder, and Hawpe being under contract through 2011 (with '11 being a team option), there should a lot of interest.  

News: Corpas' return this season still remains questionable following right elbow surgery. He's currently throwing in the Arizona Instructional League.
Impact: Corpas, who hasn't pitched since July 20, has been on the disabled list following surgery to remove bone spurs from his throwing elbow. It's possible he'll be available to help the Rockies late in the regular season or in the playoffs should they advance. 

News: Buchholz will have season-ending Tommy John surgery on his right elbow.
Impact: Buchholz sprained the ligament while warming up in the bullpen before his first spring training appearance on Feb. 26. An MRI revealed a partially torn ligament, but not torn enough where the medical staff felt he needed surgery. Instead, they chose a rehab schedule that would allow him to come back without doing surgery. That ended with a bullpen session Saturday when four pitches into it he began to experience discomfort in the same area. 

News: The Rockies transferred Embree to the 60-day disabled list on Wednesday, officially ending any chance of playing in the regular season.
Impact: Embree, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list, was broke his right tibia July 10 when he was struck by a line drive off the bat of the Atlanta Braves' Martin Pardo in the seventh inning of the Rockies' 4-1 loss. He underwent surgery to repair his leg the next day. 

News: The Colorado Rockies have declined their part of mutual options on Embree, who filed for free agency.
Impact: Embree gets a $250,000 buyout instead of a $3 million salary. Embree was 2-2 with a 5.84 ERA in 36 games. His season ended when he broke his right leg on a liner off the bat of Atlanta's Martin Prado on July 10. 

News: The Colorado Rockies have declined their part of mutual options on Torrealba, and they both filed for free agency.
Impact: Torrealba receives a $500,000 buyout instead of a $4 million salary. The 31-year-old Torrealba came up big for the Rockies down the stretch, helping them win the NL wild card for the second time in three years. He hit .291 ands drove in 17 of his 31 RBIs from Sept. 1 on. 

News: The Rockies declined to exercise their 2010 option on Embree (leg) on Friday, the Denver Post reports.
Impact: Embree will become a free agent, and should catch on with a club in need of some bullpen depth. 

News: The Rockies declined to exercise Torrealba's 2010 option on Friday, the Denver Post reports.
Impact: Torrealba will become a free agent, but could end up back with the Rockies at a salary less than the $4 million his option required. 

News: Marquis, along with Jason Giambi, will likely be too high priced for the Rockies, the team's official site reports.
Impact: Marquis' strong start to the season and All-Star selection could make him one of the most attractive veteran right-handed pitchers on the free agent market in this offseason, and the Rockies would be better off investing in young talent. 

News: Giambi, along with Jason Marquis, will likely have too high a price tag for the Rockies, the team's official site reports.
Impact: He had a good run with the Rockies, helping them to the playoffs and raising his own free agent value. However, he is much more suited for an American League team that won't have to suffer through his defense. 

News: The Colorado Rockies say they've agreed to terms on a one-year deal with Flores.
Impact: Flores, a reliever, went 0-1 in 27 games and had a 5.25 ERA. 

News: The Colorado Rockies say they've agreed to terms on a one-year deal with Belisle.
Impact: Belisle, a right-hander, made 24 appearances with the Rockies this season, going 3-1 with a 5.52 ERA. 

News: The Rockies outrighted Quintanilla to Triple-A Colorado Springs on Thursday, the Associated Press reports.
Impact: Quintanilla proved once again in 2009 that his bat can't cut it at the major league level (.172 average in 58 games). 

News: Colorado outrighted Peralta to Triple-A on Thursday, but Peralta declined the assignment and elected to become a free agent, the Associated Press reports.
Impact: He pitched well in the minors last season, but surrendered 17 runs in 24.2 big league innings. 

News: Flores agreed to a one-year, $650,000 contract with the Rockies on Thursday, the Associated Press reports.
Impact: The deal includes a series of performance bonuses that could raise the value of the contract by as much as $100,000 based on games pitched. Flores appeared in 27 games last season for Colorado, going 0-1 with a 5.25 ERA. 

News: Belisle agreed to a one-year, $850,000 contract with the Rockies on Thursday, the Associated Press reports.
Impact: The deal includes a series of incentives that could raise the value by as much as $425,000 based on games pitched and games finished. He went 3-1 with a 5.52 ERA in 24 appearances for the Rockies last season. 

News: The Mets have expressed interest in Torrealba, Tracy Ringolsby of insidetherockies.com reports.
Impact: If he returns to Colorado in 2010, it would have to be for a lot less money. Still, it's not impossible that he would remain a Rockie, as he showed a real chemistry with the team late in the regular season and into the postseason. 

News: Reynolds (back) underwent exploratory arthroscopic surgery on Wednesday to remote some scar tissue and remove an inflammed bursa, insidetherockies.com reports.
Impact: Reynolds will be able to resume throwing activities in 3 months. He should be ready to go by spring training, which will give us an opportunity to see how he responds to the surgery. We don't recommend holding your breath. 

News: Greg Reynolds underwent exploratory arthroscopic surgery Wednesday on his ailing scapula, according to InsideTheRockies.com.
Impact: The procedure performed by Dr. W. Ben Kibler removed some scar tissue in the area of the muscle surrounding the scapula or shoulder blade and also removed an inflammed bursa. His recovery timetable is yet to be set, but Reynolds is hopeful of being ready to participate at the start of spring training. 

News: Fowler was selected to Baseball America's All-Rookie team as a right fielder, Tracy Ringolsby of insidetherockies.com reports.
Impact: There were a lot of questions coming out of spring training regarding Fowler's leapfrog over the Triple-A level, but the young speedster looked plenty durable throughout the 2009 season. Often hitting leadoff, he swiped 27 bases and hit 10 triples. To be a top tier fantasy outfielder, he'll have to put some power on display and cut down on the strikeouts. 

News: Corpas (elbow) will pitch for Escogido in the second half of the Dominican Winter League season, the team's official site reports.
Impact: He's still not the Corpas of 2007, but his health is improving, and he seems to have regained velocity on his fastball.