Rockies sign Hawkins

[avsfan4ever33]

From the Rocky Mountain News:

The Rockies filled their glaring late-inning void in the bullpen, agreeing to terms with veteran right-handed reliever LaTroy Hawkins, the Rocky Mountain News has learned.
The Rockies are expected to announce the signing today. Hawkins received a one-year contract with a base salary of $3.5 million plus a mutual option, according to a source close to the negotiations.

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/mlb/article/0,2777,DRMN_23924_5182239,00.html

Not a bad signing I guess. I don't particularly think Hawkins is that great, but he's a good veteren in the bullpen to have with all the youngsters the Rox have there right now.

[Matthias]

I always liked The Hawk from his days in Minnesota. At least as a clubhouse guy. Seemed likable. Nice guy. Only time I remember him ever getting thrown out of a game was about 2/3 of the way through the season, an umpire asked him to remove the folding chair he had set up in foul territory on the home side near the bullpen. And he got mad. Because he always sat there. Every game. So he got tossed.

You just can't use him as a closer. As a setup man, he was lights out. As a closer? Well, my friend always called him, "The Equalizer."

[PlayingWithFire]

3.5 is reasonable in this market for a top setup man. Maybe the Rockies can get something useful for him when they are out of contention...

[1337_Dude]

He's a pretty good setup guy, he'll just kill you as a closer.

[acsguitar]

Decent setup to go with Ramon Ramirez and Mesa..do we still have Ray King.

I thought the rockies were gonna spend money this offseason...

liars

[tal1286]

His value plummeted because Dusty didn't know how to use him despite his repeated failures to close out games.

I kinda doubt he will be able to recapture his old skill since he's 34 but maybe he can become productive again, at the very least.

[FalcoAtL]

Yeah, I think its safe to say his best days in the league are behind him. Not exactly the best place to try and get your career turned back in the right direction, but who knows? He could surprise just like I predict the Rockies as a team to next year.