Rockies pass on Garland, add Contreras
By Steve Foster 
| August 31, 2009 | 10:29 PM
The Colorado Rockies traded for pitcher Jose Contreras from the Chicago White Sox just minutes before the deadline to set postseason rosters. The right-handed Contreras, once a highly touted Cuban signee of the New York Yankees and a key member of the White Sox’s 2005 World Series team, is 5-13 with a 5.42 ERA in 21 starts with the White Sox this season.
Contreras can fill Aaron Cook’s spot in the rotation until the Rockies right-hander returns from the disabled list.
The Rockies gave up minor-league pitcher Brandon Hynick in the deal. Hynick, a former eighth-round draft pick, had once been considered one of the team’s top pitching prospects. But in the past two seasons, his quick rise has slowed and his future with the team was in doubt after prospects like Jhoulys Chacin, Esmil Rogers, Chaz Roe and Samuel Deduno emerged in the past two season.
The Rockies also had been chasing the Arizona Diamondbacks’ Jon Garland, who eventually landed with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Tracy Ringolsby at InsideTheRockies.com reports the Rockies were close to a deal for the Garland and had agreed to assume a sizable chunk of Garland’s salary to complete the deal. But the Rockies balked when the Arizona demanded one of their top pitching prospects, Juan Nicasio, as well.
Garland went to the Dodgers, as did the White Sox’s Jim Thome. The San Francisco Giants signed Brad Penny earlier in the day.
Read more about it at InsideTheRockies.com.
arizona diamondbacks, brandon hynick, chicago white sox, colorado rockies, jon garland, jose contreras, juan nicasio
