Rockies plan to meet with Rodriguez

Associated Press

DENVER — The Colorado Rockies are tentatively scheduled to meet with Seattle shortstop Alex Rodriguez and his agent on Nov. 29 in Denver.

"We’re very serious about it," said Josh Byrnes, the Rockies’ assistant general manager. "We’ve got a chance to sit down with A-Rod face to face and tell him about the our team and the city. This is a major deal and we hope he buys into what we have here."

The Rockies also planned to fly to Houston on Nov. 28 to meet with left-handed pitcher Mike Hampton and his agent, Mark Rodgers.

Colorado’s major hurdle for luring Rodriguez may be money.

In a meeting with agent Scott Boras two weeks ago, the Rockies were led to believe it would take a 12-year, guaranteed deal at about $20 million per year with no deferred money.

Clauses after the third and sixth seasons would ensure Rodriguez would remain the game’s highest-paid player. There would be an escape clause after the seventh year.

There are other hurdles, too.

"One thing we don’t have here is a track record for winning," Byrnes said. "We hope A-Rod will look at our organization himself and see young players like Ben Petrick, Todd Walker, Todd Helton, Todd Hollandsworth and Juan Pierre.

"You put them with Jeff Cirillo and Larry Walker and that’s a nucleus that should stay around a while. Our minor league system has a lot of young pitching including a couple who should be top-of-the-rotation guys.

"And then the second thing is the offensive potential. … You put A-Rod in there with Todd Helton and Larry Walker and that’s a pretty fearsome trio."

The 25-year-old Rodriguez has averaged 42 homers, 122 RBIs while hitting .305 in his last three seasons.

To get Rodriguez, the Rockies would either move Neifi Perez to second base, or trade him for two quality pitchers.