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Rockies sign P Betancourt
The Colorado Rockies on Friday announced they agreed to terms with right-hander Rafael Betancourt to a two-year contract.
In November, Colorado opted not to exercise the option on Betancourt's contract, making the reliever a free agent, but Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd said the two would continue to negotiate.
The Rockies acquired the 34-year-old right-hander from the Cleveland Indians this past July. In 61 combined games with the Tribe and Rockies last season, Betancourt posted a 4-3 record with a 2.73 earned run average.
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Rockies avoid arbitration with Barmes, Buchholz
The Colorado Rockies avoided salary arbitration on Thursday with infielder Clint Barmes and right-hander Taylor Buchholz, signing both to one-year deals. Financial details were not released.
Barmes, 30, set a Rockies single-season record for home runs by a second baseman last year with 23, while setting a career-high with 76 RBI in 154 games. He also enjoyed career bests in hits (135), doubles (32) and runs scored (69).
The Rockies' Opening Day starter at shortstop from 2005-06, Barmes made 130 starts at second base a year ago.
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Eight more elect for free agency
Paul Byrd was among eight MLB players to file for free agency on Friday.
Byrd, who turns 39 on December 3, pitched in seven games for the Boston Red Sox last season, going 1-3 with a 5.82 earned-run average. Over his 14-year career, Byrd has compiled a 109-96 record with a 4.41 ERA.
Red Sox third baseman Chris Woodward also filed for free agency, while the Rockies had three relievers hit the market: Chad Fox, Juan Rincon and Rafael Betancourt.
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NLDS Preview - Colorado Rockies vs. Philadelphia Phillies
"This one was a little harder than people think," manager Charlie Manuel said. "We're a good team, but we had pitching problems all year. We had some holes. We were short in the bullpen all year."
Speaking of the bullpen, the Phillies enter the postseason with perhaps the biggest question mark of any team in the playoffs with regards to its closer situation. Brad Lidge was the driving force behind last year's championship, but has been abysmal in the closer's role this season.
Colorado, meanwhile, stumbled out of the gates this year and fired Clint Hurdle after a 18-29 start, replacing him with Jim Tracy. Not exactly the recipe for success, but something clicked with this team after Hurdle was relieved on May 29.
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Rockies, Iannetta agree on three-year deal
The Colorado Rockies signed catcher Chris Iannetta to a three-year deal on Friday. The Denver Post reports that it is for $8.3 million and includes a $5 million club option for his first year of free agency.
"The Rockies made a nice commitment. Chris really enjoys being in Colorado and believes the team has a chance to do something special," his agent Lou Jon Nero of Octagon Sports told the paper. "This provides security and allows him to look forward, not back."
Iannetta, who would have been eligible for arbitration for the first time in his career, had a down year offensively last season, as he hit just .228 with 16 home runs and 52 RBI.
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