http://0rz.tw/d02kw 　洛磯山新聞報 The Rockies were rewarded for their persistence Sunday when pitcher Brian Lawrence agreed in principle on a one-year deal with a club option for 2008, according to his agent. Page Odle, the agent for Lawrence, 30, said the right-hander chose to return to the National League West after weighing other offers from Seattle, Pittsburgh and San Diego, where Lawrence began his career. "It really came down to the Rockies and the Mariners," Odle said, "and the Rockies just creating what he felt was a better opportunity for himself." The Rockies, Mariners and Pirates offered major-league contracts to Lawrence. The Padres’ deal was a minor league contract. Rockies assistant general manager Bill Geivett, special assistant Marcel Lachemann and scout Dave Snow have repeatedly watched Lawrence throw this winter as clubs tried to gauge his health after he missed the entire 2006 season following shoulder surgery "(The Rockies) were on him the earliest," Odle said, "and probably on him the most." After his first bullpen session with Washington last year in spring training, Lawrence, acquired by the Nationals from San Diego for third baseman Vinny Castilla after the 2005 season, complained of shoulder soreness. On Feb. 26, he underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum and during that procedure, a rotator cuff was detected. The Rockies are likely to be cautious with Lawrence and have him remain in Tucson to build up arm strength in their extended spring training program followed by rehabilitation starts in the minor leagues. That course, however, could change once Lawrence reports to spring training. "Brian’s comfortable that if he’s ready out of the chute he’s going to be on that club," Odle said. "And that’s what they’ve expressed to him. And if he’s not, he’ll take the necessary time to go do a rehab assignment. He feels strongly he’s going to be ready. Everything is pointing in that direction; obviously there can be setbacks. But everything is leading toward him being able to compete for one of those five spots in spring training." Lawrence, who is from Fort Collins, is 49-61 lifetime with a 4.10 ERA. Between 2002-2005, he averaged nearly 205 innings a season and topped 200 innings in three of those four seasons with the Padres. Lawrence wanted a major-league deal, and the Rockies insisted on the option year, fearing Lawrence could spend much of 2007 returning to form only to leave and in 2008 contribute significantly elsewhere. The addition of Lawrence makes it easier for the Rockies to trade either Josh Fogg or Byung-Hyun Kim, particularly if Lawrence is ready at or near the start of the season, and move recently acquired Taylor Buchholz to the bullpen. The latter has two plus pitches, and his fastball-curveball mix might play better in relief. -- 一次大意，便是永久的放棄 幸福的靈光，只一閃爍，便無聲跡.... --

※ 發信站: 批踢踢實業坊(ptt.cc) ◆ From: 140.112.250.35