3/18 11:05: According to Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star, the Rockies are showing interest in reliever Juan Cruz.

Cruz, 31, was 3-4 with a 5.72 ERA in 46 games for the Royals in 2009. He’ll make $3.25 million in 2010 and there is a team option for $4 million in 2011.

3/18: 10:05: According to a source close to Troy Renck of  The Denver Post, the Colorado Rockies have interest in free-agent reliever Joe Beimel.  The report says that the Rockies are in need of a left-handed relief pitcher since closer Huston Street is expected to start the season on the disabled list and Franklin Morales will be transitioned to the closer role. Other Rockies left-handers Randy Flores and Jimmy Gobble have been going through injuries.

Beimel, 33 in April, pitched in 26 games for the Rockies in 2009 after he was traded from the Washington Nationals last July. It’s been reported in a recent days that the Mets have an interest in his services.

The deal may be a long shot, as Renck also reports that Rockies owner Dick Monfort has said the team does not have much payroll flexibility.