The Colorado Rockies have officially declined options on both Jeff Francis and Octavio Dotel.
Francis, a left-handed pitcher and ace of the 2007 National League champions had a rough recovery from labrum surgery during the 2008 season. He returned to the rotation during 2010 and showed promise (while healthy), but the front office decided to decline the $7 million option for next season, officially making him a free agent. The two sides have agreed to continue talks and hope to reach a deal for less guaranteed money.
Octavio Dotel, a right-handed relief pitcher who wore three separate uniforms in 2010, will also become a free agent after the Rockies declined his option. Dotel, acquired at the waiver wire deadline from Los Angeles for a player to be named later, was acquired in the hopes of shoring up a weary bullpen for a playoff run. Instead, the team collapsed down the stretch and failed to qualify for the postseason.