Ryan Spilborghs signed a two-year deal on Monday that buys him out of his final two years of arbitration.

The Colorado Rockies are experiencing a problem for the first time in their history.  They have too much depth.

As they head into the 2010 season looking to make the playoffs for a second straight season, the Rockies have signed outfielder Ryan Spilborghs to a two-year deal worth $3.25 million according to the Denver Post.

Spilborghs was slated to be the Rockies centerfielder heading into the 2009 campaign until the team made the decision to have prized prospect Dexter Fowler make the jump from Double-A to the big leagues.  On top of losing his starting job, Spilborghs struggled through a tough season.  He hit a career low .241 with an on base percentage of just .310.

Spilborghs, however, did have his moment in the spotlight.  On August 24th, with the Rockies battling the Giants for the Wild Card lead, the righty smashed the Rockies first ever walk-off grand slam to seal the victory for the Rockies.

The move provides the Rockies with a solid outfielder who has been able to hit for average as well as power.  More importantly it gives the Rockies the glue that keeps their clubhouse together.  Spilborghs is well known for his antics and his ability to keep the team loose.

The contract buys him out of his final two years of arbitration and gives the Rockies something that they try so often to achieve, cost-certainty.

The Rockies will probably have Spilborghs be the fifth outfielder, getting playing time behind Fowler, Carlos Gonzalez, Brad Hawpe and Seth Smith.  Having Spilborghs as a fifth outfielder shows the Rockies extreme depth.  The Santa Barbara, CA native would be a starter on at least 10 teams in the league.

Orlando Hudson may be a great addition to the Rockies clubhouse.

The Rockies offseason has been incredibly quiet.  Besides the signing of Miguel Olivo and the departure of Yorvit Torrealba, little will be different for the 2010 Rockies.  While the Rockies were the best team in the National League after Jim Tracy took over on May 29th, some fans believe that the team should not rest on its laurels and should go after some free agents.

One area for improvement could be on the offensive side at second base.  No one argues that incumbent Clint Barmes is a great defender.  With him and Troy Tulowitzki up the middle it doesn’t get much better.  However, Barmes’ approach at the plate leaves a feeling of something lacking.  Despite a power surge in which he hit 24 home runs, Barmes’ on-base percentage was under .300.  That is an unacceptable number for an every day starter.

One option that the Rockies have been linked to is free agent Orlando Hudson.  Hudson is also a slick-fielding second baseman, but he brings a spark at the plate.  Although age is taking a toll on the switch-hitter, Hudson hit .283 with a .357 on base percentage.

Acquiring Hudson may not be as difficult as most would think.  The four time gold glove winner was not offered arbitration by the Dodgers, and many teams looking for a second baseman have filled their needs elsewhere, meaning Hudson could come cheap on a one-year deal.

The front office has downplayed any efforts to talk with Hudson, making it clear that they want to fill their need for a power-hitting right hander who can come off the bench and play both third base and first base.

Hudson would not fit that role, but with Brad Hawpe getting time at first base and Barmes relegated to bench duty, the Rockies could easily slide Barmes into third base and play Hawpe at first base when needed.

If Hudson can be had for cheap, he may be worth taking a chance on.

If you don't like opinionated baseball talk from a stange looking redhead, this site is not for you!

My name is David Martin and I will be the administrator for this site.  I bring a unique perspective on the Colorado Rockies baseball club.  I have been watching them since their inception in 1993.  There have been good times and bad times.  I have seen the Rockies go through the Blake Street Bombers era, the Mike Hampton era, the Todd and the Toddlers era and the current era, which I like to refer to as the “patience is rewarded” era.

I have been blogging about the Rockies for almost a year now.  My website is www.rockiesreview.com if you want to check it out.  On that site I write about the Rockies, with mostly my perspective and views.  My articles on Rockies Review are syndicated on www.InDenverTimes.com, a news site that was formed by members of the former Rocky Mountain News.

I would like this site to be dedicated to the fans perspective, a place for the casual Rockies fan to voice their opinions.  Sports is a great place for fans from all different walks of life to come together and root for a common cause.  This site should be a gathering place for those fans.  I look forward to watching Roxpile grow into the premier location for Rockies fans to congregate.