Mets sign Tim Redding to One Year Deal

Home-state boy Tim Redding, a former top prospect in the Astros organization who spent all of 2006 in the minors, only to seem to find his way last year, signed a one year, $2.25 million contract with the New York Mets to be a starter with that organization. Redding, 30, was 10-11 with a 4.95 ERA with the Washington Nationals last year but was non-tendered by that team. Redding likely will battle rookies Jonathon Niese and Bobby Parnell for the fourth or fifth spot in the Mets' rotation. The Colorado Rockies had been showing interest in Redding over the last few weeks before the Mets got it done.

Jason Marquis to Rockies?

It appears as if Jason Marquis, long rumored to be in need of a new home to save Chicago Cubs payroll, is going to be headed to Colorado in exchange for middle reliever Luis Vizcaino (although reportedly details are still being worked out). Although many may surmise this means the Cubs are back in the Jake Peavy hunt, likely the Cubs ownership situation (and all of the political hub-bub surrounding criminal investigations related thereto with the Illinois Governor) will need to be resolved before committing to Peavy's $60 million left on his multi-year deal. The longer that goes on, the less likely that Peavy will swap teams prior to pitchers and catchers reporting.

Now if this had been done by the Winter Meetings, it would have been a completely different story. How quickly things can change.

Alan Embree signs with Colorado Rockies

LH Setup Reliever Alan Embree, 38, joined the Colorado Rockies by agreeing to a one-year deal with a mutual option for 2010 that will pay him $2.25 million. The contract was officially announced on Saturday, December 13. He pitched the last two seasons with the Athletics and is in line to pitch for his 10th Major League club.

Rockies close to re-signing Glendon Rusch

The Colorado Rockies have apparently tendered an offer to free agent LHP Glendon Rusch, and both parties are rumored to be wanting to continue the relationship. Rusch joined the Rockies in 2008 after being released by the Padres and went 4-3 with a 4.78 ERA in 23 games making nine starts. Rusch was a former standout starter with the Minnesota Twins.