Rockies catch break with Ojeda

October 12, 2005
Colorado Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd's off-season focus will be to add a proven catcher.
Tuesday, he added depth at the position without sacrificing roster flexibility.
Miguel Ojeda was claimed off waivers from the Seattle Mariners, giving the Rockies a potentially strong defensive catcher with some power to team with Danny Ardoin.
A key is that Ojeda, 30, signed by San Diego out of the Mexican League three years ago, has an option left, meaning the Rockies could send him to the minor leagues as insurance if they are able to swing a deal for another catcher.
Ojeda has a .221 batting average with 13 home runs and 57 RBI in 182 major-league games.
Josh Bard, of the Cleveland Indians, a Cherry Creek High graduate, and Boston Red Sox prospect Kelly Shoppach are believed to be at the top of the Rockies' wish list.
Ojeda, signed for $340,000 in 2006, gives the Rockies a defensive presence similar to Ardoin, whose ability to slow an opposing running game was considered a key part of the Rockies' second-half climb to respectability.
Meanwhile, first baseman Ryan Shealy, looking for a way to make the team despite the presence of Todd Helton, has started monthly off-season workouts as an outfielder with Rockies coach Dave Collins.
Shealy also was selected to participate in tryouts for the U.S. team in the Olympic qualifying tournament in November. Marcel Lachemann, special assistant to O'Dowd, will be the pitching coach for that team.
Bob McClure, the Rockies' Class AAA pitching coach, has emerged as the No. 1 candidate for the Kansas City Royals pitching coach job and is on Seattle's list of candidates for the same job.
Former Rockies coach Fred Kendall, most recently the team's roving catching instructor, has accepted the job as bullpen coach with the Royals, major-league sources said.
Thad Levin, the Rockies' senior director-baseball operations, has been offered the assistant general manager job with the Texas Rangers. John Daniels, a former intern in the Rockies' scouting department, is the new Rangers general manager.

Source: http://www.rockymountainnews.com/