12/31 03:01am PST update: Troy E. Renck of The Denver Post reports that there have been several discussions with Olivo involving a variety of deals from a one-year with a club option to a one-year with either a vesting or mutual option. They expect the deal to be completed by Thursday or Friday of this week.
The Rockies were close to signing Torrealba a few weeks ago, but the team wanted lower base salaries and a higher buyout, while Torrealba preferred the opposite. Talks ended before Christmas, signaling the Rockies were prepared to move in a different direction.
12/30 15:58 PST: According to Tracy Ringolsby of Fox Sports, the Colorado Rockies are close to signing free agent catcher Miguel Olivo.
The Rockies fully intend on giving Chris Iannetta a chance to be the full time catcher, but the team wants to have a proven veteran such as Olivo to back up Iannetta. The Rockies previously offered incumbent backup Yorvit Torrealba a two-year, $4.6 million, but Torrealba insisted on $6 million over two years.
Olivo, 31, made $2.7 million with the Kansas City Royals last season. He hit 23 home runs, drove in 65 runs and had a .249 batting average in 114 games. Olivo had a mutual option with the Royals for $3.3 million which the Royals declined in November. You can see Olivo’s contract history and statistics here.
Free agent veteran catchers left on the market include Torrealba, Bengie Molina, and Rod Barajas.
Related posts:
- Rockies close to signing Chris Iannetta to 3 year deal
- Torrealba and Rockies are close to signing 2 year deal
- Kansas City Royals offer 2 year contract to catcher Jason Kendall
- Rockies are interested in Brian Schneider
- Colorado Rockies Rumors: New deal for Carlos Gonzalez
