Morning Links: Rockies News 3/30

The Colorado Rockies wrap up their endless 2013 spring training schedule with a game against the Seattle Mariners today. The game starts at 1:05 P.M. MT and will be televised on Root Sports. Here’s what else is happening with the Rockies and around the NL West.

Fowler. Image: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

From Patrick Saunders: After nearly 50 days of Rockies spring training, here’s some food for thought (Denver Post)

"Best position player: Dexter Fowler, by a landslide. His stats were eye-popping: .412 batting average, four homers, six doubles, two triples, .843 slugging percentage and a .455 on-base percentage. Spring stats often lie, but Fowler did everything well in the Cactus League. He made several excellent catches in center field, ran with speed and smarts on the bases and has emerged as a clubhouse leader."

From Thomas Harding: Tyler Colvin sent to Minors as Rockies set roster (MLB.com)

"In other moves, the Rockies purchased the contracts of right-handed pitcher Chris Volstad, who nosed out Manny Corpas for a middle-relief job, and catcher Yorvit Torrealba, whom the Rockies preferred over Ramon Hernandez…Volstad will join right-handers Adam Ottavino (5-1, 4.56 ERA in 53 games last season) and Edgmer Escalona (0-1, 6.04 in 22 games last season; 1.13 ERA in seven games this spring) in middle relief. Those pitchers will face left-handers or right-handers, and can be called upon to face as few as one batter or pitch multiple innings."

From Kevin Jordan: Last Minute Observations (Blake Street Bulletin)

"Even better is Rosario, who shares the team home run lead with Arenado (4) and seems determined to avoid the sophomore slump. In 41 at-bats, he’s only struck out four times, which is a huge improvement in plate discipline since last season. If he continues to hit like that, he should be hitting from the 5-hole by May and forming one of the scariest 3-4-5 trios (with Gonzalez and Tulowitzki) in the league."

From Chris Lacey: Arizona Diamondbacks Lock Up Paul Goldschmidt (Venom Strikes)

"The Diamondbacks are showing a lot of faith in Goldschmidt by signing him to this extension. He only has one season under his belt, but he made great progress in his first season in all aspects of his game that warranted the club making this decision. Goldschmidt will be a staple in the Diamondbacks line up for years to come."

From Bryan Rosa: San Francisco Giants And Buster Posey Agree On Nine Year, $167 Million Dollar Deal (Around The Foghorn)

"The deal is worth a reported $167 million dollars and includes a full no-trade clause along with a yearly $50,000 donation to San Francisco Giant sponsored charities…The extension will buy out Posey’s remaining years of arbitration (three years) and keep Posey in orange and black through the 2021 season, with a club option for 2022 worth $22 million or a $3 million dollar buyout. A Good Friday, indeed."