What has been confirmed to be a minor league deal, Yorvit Torrealba agreed to a one-year deal with the Rockies. Those that have followed the team over the years will recognize one of the fan favorites that was a part of the 2007 and 2009 magical teams.
For his part Torrealba seems excited to get back to Colorado, as he tweeted (in spanish):
Good evening. I want to tell my fans that I have signed with Colorado for a year. Thank you all for the support.
It is still uncertain his roll, given that the team still carries Ramon Hernandez as well as Wilin Rosario, who showed great power last season mixed with terrible plate coverage.
The team also signed Jonathan “Sparkplug” Herrera to a one-year deal, avoiding arbitration. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.
One of my fondest memories is sitting in the front row of the club level down the left field line during Game 3 of the NLCS in 2007. Raining and very cold, but Yorvit brings us all to our feet with that 3-run blast to left and makes us forget the elements.
I have a funny feeling that he will beat out Hernandez this year.
Bob, one of my favorite memories is sitting 3rd row next to the dugout for that game and going CRAZY when Matt Holliday hit that HR in the 7th off Okajima (first pitch if i remember right). Yorvit only had 2 singles in that game. I love Abba (our nickname for him) and am VERY excited to have him back. He is extremely tough (almost as tough as Olivo, but close) and i like him back there better than a… Read more »
Let’s jog that memory of yours a bit, Jaredean! In Game 3 (the rain game) Holliday homered in the first inning, Yorvit in the sixth. Final score was 4-1. I believe you are talking about Game 4, but Holliday’s home run capped a 6 run 4th inning, and the Rockies won 6-4 with starting pitcher Morales throwing 64 pitches. Of course, Hurdle was writing the number 64 on the pre-game line-up card each night in honor of that boy who… Read more »
HA! I didn’t read NLCS. I just read game 3 and thought you were talking about the World Series – that was the game I was at that Holliday homered in! You are right about the NLCS, i watched from a hotel room in Mexico 🙂
I got front row tickets in the Club Level for the two NLCS games. Bought them the day before Game 3 by calling to see if any tickets had been returned by the visiting team. I was told there were none, but there were a few “obstructed view” seats available. Turns out the two seats on the outfield side of the aisles for sections well down the foul lines are obstructed slightly by the railing that is raised at the… Read more »
I went to the Rockies Winter Hot Stove invitational today and it confirmed what a lot of you have thought: they aren’t going to make any moves of any significance. Bill Geivett led off by saying they essentially like their players, especially when you get back all the injured pitchers and Tulo. Fowler, Cargo and Tulo won’t be traded based on what he told the crowd. The coaching staff was fun to listen to. Walt Weiss is a bit shy,… Read more »
I read somewhere that Jon “Spark Plug” Hererra and the Rox had a one year deal at $800k. The club offered 700k and Hererra wanted 900k. So they compromised at 800k avoiding arbitration.
You are low by $100,000.00 on each of your numbers. Herrera asked for $1 million, Rockies countered with $800,000 and signed him for $900,00.
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2013/01/rockies-herrera-avoid-arbitration.html
They also signed Chacin to a two year deal for $6.5 million.
I like the Spark Plug as well. But I don’t expect him to make the team out of spring training barring injuries. He think that he gets beat out by players such as LeMahieu, Nelson, Ruttledge, and Pacheco.
I just saw that the Rockies gave Chacin a two year contract. That surprised me.
I like the Torrealba deal. I’ve had lots of problems with the Rox moves (or lack thereof) recently, but not this one. For that matter, I also don’t have a problem with the Chacin extension. By Coors Field standards, his numbers haven’t been that bad.
I like Yorvits “fire”.I think he makes a much better teacher to help Rosario with his catching skills,including just CATCHING THE DAMN BALL!
At the “Hot Stove” someone asked about switching Rosario to a different position. Jerry Weinstein, the catcher’s coach, said it wasn’t his decision, but he thought Wilin has amazing athletic ability, and an upside that could lead to him being one of the best catchers in the game. He said he’s worked hard in the Dominican in December Winter Ball and now at their development camp. He said because he “skipped a grade” on his way to the Majors he… Read more »
I too like seeing Yorvit coming back. I don’t think it’s any coincidence that the Rockies pitching took downturns immediately after the departures of Girardi and Torrealba. Rosario is the future, but Yorvit will be a great mentor and, dare I say it, a great clubhouse guy.
I know what has been said about keeping Ramon Hernandez, but giving the complete lack of catching in NY, why not see if you can work out a deal for something. I dont think they would get a lot for him, but you can have Yorvit coaching and backing up Baby Bull, and clear Ramon’s salary plus whatever you get for him. Anyways, I know NY’s minor leagues is baren, but just a thought.