SB Nation Denver - MLB Hot Stove 2012: Colorado Rockies Acquire 2B Marco Scutaro From Boston Red Sox

Colorado Rockies' Joe Torres Offers Explanation, Apology For Suspension

2012-02-22T23:44:45Z

Colorado Rockies minor league pitcher Joe Torres offered an explanation and an apology for recently being suspended by MLB for testing positive for amphetamines. Torres contacted the Denver Post today to discuss the matter, explaining that he uses the drugs for a prescribed medical condition.

Although my positive test was for a prescribed medication for a personal matter that I have been diagnosed for I would like to apologize to the Rockies organization, my family and any others that may have been affected by this.

He emphasized that he never intended to use the drug as a PED, and that's never been the case.

I can assure everyone that even though this medication falls under the 'PED' category I have never used it for such. This positive test does not reflect the person I am and what I stand for. I have a strong love and utmost respect for the game and would never cheat it.

The Rockies have already released a statement about the suspension displaying disappointment in the pitcher's actions. Last season in Double-A, he posted a 2.28 ERA in 51 appearances.

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Zack Segovia Signs With Detroit Tigers, Not Colorado Rockies

2012-02-15T20:43:15Z

UPDATE - Kevin Goldstein notes that he had the initial announcement incorrect. Zack Segovia signed with the Detroit Tigers:

To correct a previous tweet, former Phillies RHP prospect Zack Segovia signed with the Tigers, not the Rockies.
— Kevin Goldstein (@Kevin_Goldstein) February 17, 2012

The Colorado Rockies have agreed to a minor league contract with pitcher Zack Segovia, according to Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus. Goldstein notes that he was once a prospect in the Philadelphia Phillies system after being a second-round pick in 2002.

Segovia, 28, spent last season pitching in the Milwaukee Brewers organization. Pitching in relief for Triple-A Nashville, he posted a 3.98 ERA in 63 innings with 50 strikeouts and 38 walks. He was once considered a pretty good prospect after the 2006 season, during which he posted a 2.82 ERA in 156 innings while reaching Double-A as a 23-year-old.

Since then, Segovia has bounced around with a few different organizations. He's made two separate stints in the majors, pitching five innings for the Philadelphia Phillies in 2007 and ten innings for the Washington Nationals in 2009. He didn't pitch well, though, posting a combined 8.22 ERA in his short MLB career.

For more coverage of all things Denver sports, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more in-depth coverage of the Rockies, visit Purple Row. For more updates on the MLB Hot Stove, check out Baseball Nation and MLB Daily Dish.

Colorado Rockies Sign Jared Wells To Minor League Contract

2012-02-15T20:29:50Z

The Colorado Rockies have agreed to a minor league contract with pitcher Jared Wells, according to Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus. The prospect expert notes that he used to be "a decent prospect with the Padres 6+ years ago."

Wells, now 28, spent the 2011 season pitching in the minor leagues within the Houston Astros organization. He made 31 appearances with Double-A Corpus Christi, including eight starts, and posted a 3.81 ERA over 78 innings with 60 strikeouts and 46 walks.

In 2008, Wells had short MLB stints with both the Seattle Mariners and San Diego Padres, posting a combined ERA of 8.64 over 8.1 innings of work. He first reached Double-A as a 23-year-old Padres prospect in 2005, but he has struggled to get past that level.

Colorado Rockies Officially Sign Rafael Betancourt To Extension

2012-01-25T22:41:06Z

The Colorado Rockies announced through their official Twitter feed that relief pitcher Rafael Betancourt has signed a contract extension with the team through the 2013 season that includes a mutual option for 2014.

The deal guarantees that Betancourt will receive $4.25 million in 2013 with the 2014 option being worth the same amount. Betancourt's previous deal with Colorado had an option for 2013 worth $4.25 million, but this contract guarantees that salary and adds the additional option. He will receive $4 million for 2012.

The 36-year-old has been one of the top relievers in the game over the past few years. In 2011, he posted a 2.89 ERA over 62 innings with Colorado, also converting eight save opportunities. Betancourt is known for putting up spectacular strikeout-to-walk ratios; since the beginning of the 2010 season, no pitcher with at least 100 MLB innings has bested his 10.13 K/BB figure.

MLB Hot Stove 2012: Kevin Millwood Signs With Seattle

2012-01-23T00:09:32Z

After making nine appearances with the Colorado Rockies last season, it appears that Kevin Millwood's time in Denver has come to a close. According to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, Millwood agreed to a minor-league deal with the Seattle Mariners:

@JonHeymanCBS: Millwood has deal with #mariners

@JonHeymanCBS: millwood deal is minor-league deal but has good chance to make team. wedge & p. coach carl willis were w/ "wood'' in cleve

In his nine appearances last season, Millwood complied a 4-3 record with a 3.98 ERA in 54.1 innings. According to a recent report in the Denver Post, the Rockies didn't have financial room to bring back Millwood, who has 163 wins in his 15 year career.

MLB Hot Stove 2012: Colorado Rockies Finalize Deal With Boston For Marco Scutaro

2012-01-21T23:52:11Z

The Colorado Rockies have acquired their starting second baseman for 2012, acquiring Marco Scutaro from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for Clayton Mortensen, as first reported by Troy Renck of the Denver Post.

Scutaro, 36, was the starting shortstop for Boston in 2011 and was productive with the bat, finishing with a .299/.358/.423. The veteran is projected to bat second for Colorado (in front of Carlos Gonzalez) and also provides good depth at SS in case Troy Tulowitzki goes down with injury. With his acquision, the Rockies Opening Day lineup appears nearly set.

Money seems to be a major factor in Boston's motivation behind the trade, as Scutaro is owed $6 million for the 2012 season. The Red Sox are likely to become active in the starting pitching market, pursuing one of the few impact arms remaining like Roy Oswalt or Edwin Jackson.

Mortensen, 26, was a member of the Colorado Rockies organization for just one season. The right handed starting pitcher was acquired last offseason from the Oakland Athletics. The former first round selection bounced between AAA and the majors in 2011, throwing 58.1 innings for Colorado with a 3.86 ERA. He provides the Red Sox with another option at the back end of the rotation.

For more coverage, visit our Rockies blog Purple Row and ourRed Sox blog Over The Monster.

Marco Scutaro Trade Between Rockies, Red Sox Appears Back On According To Report

2012-01-21T22:48:52Z

That Marco Scutaro trade between the Colorado Rockies and the Boston Red Sox that was on and then off in a matter of minutes on Friday afternoon? Well, it's back on and close to being done, reports the Denver Post's Troy Renck. While Renck is unsure who will go back, though he believes it will be a pitcher, possibly Clayton Mortensen.

Mortensen was one of the revolving fifth starters for the Rockies in 2011 before moving to the bullpen later on in the season. He would be of no great loss to the Rockies when acquiring a career .270/.338/.389 hitter. Scutaro walks and strikes out a little over eight percent of the time and would provide decent defense at second base. He would immediately be penciled in as the starting second baseman.

MLB Hot Stove 2012: Colorado Rockies Remain Interested In Justin Turner

2012-01-21T14:58:22Z

The Colorado Rockies went from being close to finishing a deal for Marco Scutaro from the Boston Red Sox to the deal being backed out upon by Boston in a matter of moments on Friday afternoon. What would have been a nice get for the Rockies now turns into the team looking at less-than-desirable options. However, the Rockies appear ready to continue the pursuit of New York Mets 2B Justin Turner, according to the Denver Post's Troy Renck.

As a starting second baseman, Turner might turn into a better option than those already competing for the job: Chris Nelson, Jonathan Herrera and D.J. LeMahieu. Turner hit .260/.334/.356 with four home runs in 2011 with the Mets.