Colorado Rockies Interested In Young, Ibanez

Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

According to Troy Renck of the Denver Post, the Colorado Rockies have reportedly expressed interest in free-agents Michael Young and Raul Ibanez, but he states that there is nothing serious brewing at this point.

Michael Young is 37 years old and coming off of a season where he was traded from the Philadelphia Phillies to the Los Angeles Dodgers at the trade deadline. Young would be accepting a bench role for the first time in his 14-year career. If the Rockies do sign Young, he will be in a similar position as he was while on the Dodgers. Young in his short-stint with the Dodgers would appear in 21 games, he would go 16-for-51 at the plate with a .314 average. Young would be a valuable option of the bench for the Rockies in a pinch-hitting role, even an option to play third or first base on off-days for Nolan Arenado and Justin Morneau. Ideally, he could play first base when the Rockies face left-handed pitchers. Against LH starters last season, Young would hit .304/.366/.466, 45 hits in 148 at-bats.

Raul Ibanez on the other hand, is 41-years-old, coming off of a good season with the Seattle Mariners. Ibanez would hit for a low-average of .242/.306/.487 but would provide pop in the line-up for a offensively challenged Mariners team. He would slug out 29 home runs, adding 65 runs batted in. If signed, he could be challenging for a starting spot in left field, with the likes of Corey Dickerson and Charlie Blackmon.

The Rockies still are in search of a power-arm in the bullpen as they as may other teams are interested in Joaquin Benoit. Benoit has spent his last three seasons in Detroit, going 4-1 with a 2.01 ERA in 66 games with the team last season. Jose Veras is another free-agent on the Rox radar, who also spent last season with the Houston Astros and Detroit Tigers. He would appear in 25 games for Detroit, supporting a 0-1 record with a 3.20 ERA.