DENVER (AP) — Nolan Arenado likes where he's at and the direction the Colorado Rockies are headed.So he's staying put. For possibly a long, long time. And for a chance to finish what this team has been brewing.The All-Star third baseman agreed to a $260 million, eight-year contract on Tuesday, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal has not been finalized.Arenado's agreement includes a provision that allows him to opt out after three years and become a free agent.If the deal is finalized, Arenado's $32.5 million average annual value would be the second-highest in baseball history behind the $34.42 million for pitcher Zack Greinke in a $206.5 million contract with Arizona that began in 2016. Arenado's deal would replace a $26 million, one-year contract he agreed to Jan. 31.Arenado, who turns 28 on April 16, was on track to be eligible for free agency after this season. But there's comfort in remaining... [More]

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — It may not seem right, but Charlie Blackmon will be in right field for Colorado this season.Blackmon, a four-time All-Star who has anchored center field for the Rockies since 2014 and has played more games there than anyone else in franchise history, said Monday he spoke to manager Bud Black about the switch and is fine with it."He assured me this was going to help the Rockies win more games, and I'm all about that," Blackmon said.With Ian Desmond slated to play center field, the issue became which corner spot Blackmon would fill."If I had my choice, I would pick right," Blackmon said.The new alignment puts David Dahl in left.Blackmon has played all three outfield spots while hitting .302 in his eight-year career with the Rockies, but he has been almost strictly a center fielder since 2015, when he made four starts in each of the corner spots. He started 64 games in right field in 2014.He has played 691 games in center."I really enjoy playing center field," Blackmon... [More]

A team-by-team look at the National League West entering spring training, including key players each club acquired and lost, and dates of the first workout for pitchers and catchers, and the full squad:___Los Angeles DodgersManager: Dave Roberts (fourth season).2018: 92-71, first place, lost to Boston in World Series.Training Town: Glendale, Arizona.Park: Camelback Ranch.First Workout: Feb. 13/19.He's Here: CF A.J. Pollock, RHP Joe Kelly, C Russell Martin, RHP Homer Bailey, 3B Justin Yorchak, LHP Adam McCreery, RHP Jaime Schultz.He's Outta Here: SS Manny Machado, OF Matt Kemp, OF Yasiel Puig, C Yasmani Grandal, LHP Alex Wood, 2B Brian Dozier, RHP Ryan Madson, C Kyle Farmer, 2B Chase Utley, RHP John Axford, RHP Daniel Hudson, LHP-RHP Pat Venditte.Going campin': The Dodgers arrive at camp with unfinished business yet again, having lost in the World Series for the second straight year. They won their sixth consecutive NL West title and second straight NL pennant only to fall short in seven... [More]

A team-by-team look at the National League West entering spring training, including key players each club acquired and lost, and dates of the first workout for pitchers and catchers, and the full squad:___Los Angeles DodgersManager: Dave Roberts (fourth season).2018: 92-71, first place, lost to Boston in World Series.Training Town: Glendale, Arizona.Park: Camelback Ranch.First Workout: Feb. 13/19.He's Here: CF A.J. Pollock, RHP Joe Kelly, C Russell Martin, RHP Homer Bailey, 3B Justin Yorchak, LHP Adam McCreery, RHP Jaime Schultz.He's Outta Here: SS Manny Machado, OF Matt Kemp, OF Yasiel Puig, C Yasmani Grandal, LHP Alex Wood, 2B Brian Dozier, RHP Ryan Madson, C Kyle Farmer, 2B Chase Utley, RHP John Axford, RHP Daniel Hudson, LHP-RHP Pat Venditte.Going campin': The Dodgers arrive at camp with unfinished business yet again, having lost in the World Series for the second straight year. They won their sixth consecutive NL West title and second straight NL pennant only to fall short in seven... [More]

A team-by-team look at the National League West entering spring training, including key players each club acquired and lost, and dates of the first workout for pitchers and catchers, and the full squad:___Los Angeles DodgersManager: Dave Roberts (fourth season).2018: 92-71, first place, lost to Boston in World Series.Training Town: Glendale, Arizona.Park: Camelback Ranch.First Workout: Feb. 13/19.He's Here: CF A.J. Pollock, RHP Joe Kelly, C Russell Martin, RHP Homer Bailey, 3B Justin Yorchak, LHP Adam McCreery, RHP Jaime Schultz.He's Outta Here: SS Manny Machado, OF Matt Kemp, OF Yasiel Puig, C Yasmani Grandal, LHP Alex Wood, 2B Brian Dozier, RHP Ryan Madson, C Kyle Farmer, 2B Chase Utley, RHP John Axford, RHP Daniel Hudson, LHP-RHP Pat Venditte.Going campin': The Dodgers arrive at camp with unfinished business yet again, having lost in the World Series for the second straight year. They won their sixth consecutive NL West title and second straight NL pennant only to fall short in seven... [More]

DENVER (AP) — First baseman Mark Reynolds says he has agreed to a minor league contract with the Colorado Rockies.His deal includes an invitation to major league spring training. If he is added to the 40-man roster, Reynolds would receive a $1 million, one-year contract and a chance to earn $1 million in performance bonuses.The 35-year-old spent 2016 and '17 with the Rockies before joining Washington last season. He hit .248 with 13 homers and 40 RBIs in 86 games and 235 plate appearances. Reynolds made $1,395,161, including $250,000 in performance bonuses.The front-runner to play first base for Colorado this season is Daniel Murphy, who was teammates with Reynolds last season before he was traded to the Chicago Cubs. Ryan McMahon is slated to be the backup. Ian Desmond is looking at a move to the outfield.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

DENVER (AP) — First baseman Mark Reynolds says he has agreed to a minor league contract with the Colorado Rockies.His deal includes an invitation to major league spring training. If he is added to the 40-man roster, Reynolds would receive a $1 million, one-year contract and a chance to earn $1 million in performance bonuses.The 35-year-old spent 2016 and '17 with the Rockies before joining Washington last season. He hit .248 with 13 homers and 40 RBIs in 86 games and 235 plate appearances. Reynolds made $1,395,161, including $250,000 in performance bonuses.The front-runner to play first base for Colorado this season is Daniel Murphy, who was teammates with Reynolds last season before he was traded to the Chicago Cubs. Ryan McMahon is slated to be the backup. Ian Desmond is looking at a move to the outfield.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

DENVER (AP) — Daniel Murphy had no second thoughts about the Colorado Rockies bringing him in to play first base.As for taking his kids to get a picture with Santa at the mall just days before the holiday? Hey, at least the whole family was wearing Rockies purple for the photo."Stood in line for an hour and a half," Murphy cracked Friday in a teleconference call from Jacksonville, Florida. "I'm just excited it all went through."The 33-year-old Murphy signed a $24 million, two-year deal that includes a mutual option in 2021. Although he's played way more games at second base, the plan is for Murphy to take over at first. That means Ian Desmond will move to one of the outfield spots.It's another way to add a little more sizzle to the lineup after the Rockies batted a franchise-worst .256 in 2018. A lifetime .299 hitter, Murphy figures to raise that batting average."A professional hitter for a long period of time," general manager Jeff Bridich said. "He has a lot of different skills as an... [More]

DENVER (AP) — The Colorado Rockies have brought in Daniel Murphy to play first base, signing the veteran to a $24 million, two-year deal.The 33-year-old Murphy started slow last season as he recovered from right knee surgery. He still hit .299 over 91 games with Washington and the Chicago Cubs.The plan is for Murphy to take over at first base, meaning Ian Desmond moves to the outfield.Murphy is a three-time All-Star who finished second in the NL MVP voting in 2016 after hitting .347 with the Nationals. He's been a postseason regular, including the 2015 World Series while with the New York Mets.The Rockies have been to the playoffs in back-to-back seasons for the first time in franchise history.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

DENVER (AP) — The Colorado Rockies have brought in Daniel Murphy to boost an offense big on pop but lackluster in batting average.The veteran infielder has agreed to a $24 million, two-year contract with the Rockies, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Thursday night. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal was subject to a successful physical.The Rockies hit .256 last season, their lowest mark in team history. The team had 210 homers, the fifth-most in franchise history and the most since 2001.Murphy figures to raise that batting average. He is a .330 hitter in 26 games at Coors Field.The 33-year-old Murphy spent last season with the Washington Nationals and Chicago Cubs, where he hit a combined .299 with 12 homers. The three-time All-Star missed the start of the year after undergoing right knee surgery.Murphy could play second base for the Rockies if DJ LeMahieu departs in free agency. The Rockies also may be looking at Murphy to take... [More]

DENVER (AP) — The Colorado Rockies have brought in Daniel Murphy to boost an offense big on pop but lackluster in batting average.The veteran infielder has agreed to a $24 million, two-year contract with the Rockies, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Thursday night. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal was subject to a successful physical.The Rockies hit .256 last season, their lowest mark in team history. The team had 210 homers, the fifth-most in franchise history and the most since 2001.Murphy figures to raise that batting average. He is a .330 hitter in 26 games at Coors Field.The 33-year-old Murphy spent last season with the Washington Nationals and Chicago Cubs, where he hit a combined .299 with 12 homers.Murphy could play second base for the Rockies if DJ LeMahieu departs in free agency. The Rockies also may be looking at Murphy to take over at first base should Ian Desmond move to the outfield. The team figures to lose outfielders... [More]

DENVER (AP) — A person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press that infielder Daniel Murphy has agreed to a $24 million, two-year contract with the Colorado Rockies.The person spoke Thursday night on condition of anonymity because the deal was subject to a successful physical.Murphy spent last season with the Washington Nationals and Chicago Cubs, where he hit a combined .299 with 12 homers.The 33-year-old Murphy could play second base for the Rockies if DJ LeMahieu departs in free agency. The Rockies may also be looking at Murphy to take over at first base should Ian Desmond move to the outfield.Murphy has hit .330 in 26 games at Coors Field.___AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum contributed to this report.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Chris Iannetta made contact, all right.He slammed his bat over his right knee, splitting it in half after a strikeout with the potential tying run at third base in the seventh inning.Connecting with the ball? Not so much.It was the same old story for the Colorado Rockies in Game 2 of the NL Division Series: Their power-laden lineup couldn't score runs.No wonder they're down 2-0 in the series following a 4-0 loss on Friday at Miller Park. Game 3 is Sunday in Denver, with the Rockies sending German Marquez to the mound against Milwaukee's Wade Miley.Facing elimination, maybe the thin mountain air will do Colorado some good."You just keep fighting through it and having good at-bats," manager Bud Black said. "So we've got to keep fighting the good fight."The Rockies finished among the major league leaders in several offensive categories this year. But they've scored just six runs in four games since slugging five homers in a 12-0 victory over Washington on Sunday that left... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Chris Iannetta made contact, all right.He slammed his bat over his right knee, shattering it in half after a strikeout with the potential tying run at third base in the seventh inning.Connecting with the ball? Not so much.It was the same old story for the Colorado Rockies in Game 2 of the NL Division Series: Their power-laden lineup couldn't score runs.No wonder they're down 2-0 in the series following a 4-0 loss on Friday at Miller Park. Game 3 is Sunday in Denver, with the Rockies sending German Marquez to the mound against Milwaukee's Wade Miley.Facing elimination, maybe the thin mountain air will do Colorado some good.The Rockies finished among the major league leaders in several offensive categories this year. But they've scored just six runs in four games since slugging five homers in a 12-0 victory over Washington on Sunday that left them tied for the NL West lead after 162 games.They dropped a tiebreaker with the Dodgers for the division title and then squeaked... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Right fielder Carlos Gonzalez will hit cleanup when the Colorado Rockies try to break out of their slump in Game 2 of the NL Division Series against the Milwaukee Brewers.The left-handed slugger moved up after hitting sixth in the order in a 3-2 loss in 10 innings in Game 1 on Thursday at Miller Park.Manager Bud Black also inserted Gerardo Parra into the lineup, hitting sixth and playing in left. Parra has hits in both postseason games for Colorado. David Dahl, who started Game 1 in left, will come off the bench.The Rockies have managed just six runs in three games since a 12-0 win over Washington on Sunday.The top of the order hasn't changed with center fielder Charlie Blackmon, second baseman DJ LeMahieu and third baseman Nolan Arenado leading off. They're followed by Gonzalez, shortstop Trevor Story and Parra.First baseman Ian Desmond, catcher Chris Iannetta and starter Tyler Anderson round out the lineup.For the Brewers, Mike Moustakas has moved up one spot in the order to fifth, a day after driving in the winning run in Game 1.Center fielder Lorenzo Cain, right fielder Christian Yelich and left fielder Ryan Braun top the lineup. First baseman Jesus Aguilar, Moustakas and shortstop Hernan Perez are next.Second baseman Travis Shaw hits seventh after hitting cleanup in Game 1. He's followed by catcher Erik Kratz and starting pitcher Jhoulys Chacin.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Nolan Arenado and Colorado had one good stretch at the plate. That was it for the whole afternoon.Tough couple of days for the Rockies' star-studded lineup.Arenado helped Colorado rally against Milwaukee's vaunted bullpen in Game 1 of the NL Division Series, but the Rockies were unable to finish off Jeremy Jeffress. Mike Moustakas then hit an RBI single in the 10th inning to lift the Brewers to a 3-2 win Thursday.Led by Arenado and Trevor Story, Colorado finished among the major league leaders in several offensive categories this year. But the Rockies have been held in check since they bashed five homers in a 12-0 victory over Washington last Sunday, leaving them in a tie for the NL West lead."We've got to put better at-bats together, all of us," Arenado said. "I think we're having a little trouble there the last few games. But at the same time, we're facing good pitching. It's tough. These guys are good."Colorado had just one hit Thursday before Gerardo Parra and Matt... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Colorado Rockies have some of baseball's best hitters — and not much to show for it on the scoreboard lately.Nolan Arenado helped Colorado rally against Milwaukee's vaunted bullpen in Game 1 of the NL Division Series on Thursday, but the Rockies were unable to finish off Jeremy Jeffress. Mike Moustakas hit an RBI single in the 10th inning to lift the Brewers to a 3-2 win.Colorado had just one hit before Gerardo Parra and Matt Holliday opened the ninth with consecutive singles off Jeffress, who had made 11 consecutive scoreless appearances since Aug. 31. Charlie Blackmon then singled in Parra, and DJ LeMahieu reached on an error before Arenado tied it at 2 with a sacrifice fly to center.The Rockies had a chance for more, but Blackmon was tagged out in a rundown on David Dahl's grounder to first and Jeffress struck out Trevor Story to end the inning.That missed opportunity proved costly when Moustakas came up with the game-ending hit against Adam Ottavino.Game 2 is back... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Ryan Braun will hit third for the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 1 of their National League Division Series against the Colorado Rockies.The veteran outfielder, who hit .346 with five homers over the final seven games of the regular season, will hit behind table-setters Lorenzo Cain and Christian Yelich.A third-place hitter for most of his career, Braun has been hitting lower in the order at times this season, especially with the emergence of power-hitting first baseman Jesus Aguilar.But the Game 1 lineup has second baseman Travis Shaw and Aguilar following Braun. Third baseman Mike Moustakas, catcher Manny Pina, shortstop Orlando Arcia and pitcher Brandon Woodruff round out the rest of the lineup.The Rockies will lead off with a formidable top three of center fielder Charlie Blackmon, second baseman D.J. LeMahieu and third baseman Nolan Arenado.He's followed by left fielder David Dahl, shortstop Trevor Story and right fielder Carlos Gonzalez. First baseman Ian Desmond, catcher Chris Iannetta and starter Antonio Senzatela round out the lineup.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

A look at the best-of-five National League Division Series between the Colorado Rockies and Milwaukee Brewers:___Schedule: (All times EDT) Game 1, Thursday, at Milwaukee, 5:07 p.m. (FS1); Game 2, Friday, at Milwaukee, 4:15 p.m. (FS1); Game 3, Sunday, at Denver, 4:37 p.m. (MLB); x-Game 4, Monday, Oct. 8, at Denver, TBA; x-Game 5, Wednesday, Oct. 10, at Milwaukee, TBA.x-if necessary.___Season Series: Brewers won 5-2.___Projected Lineups:Rockies: CF Charlie Blackmon (.291, 29 HRs, 70 RBIs), 2B DJ LeMahieu (.276, 15, 62), LF David Dahl (.273, 16, 48) or Matt Holliday (.283, 2, 3, 12 walks, .849 OPS in 65 plate appearances), 3B Nolan Arenado (.297, 38, 110), SS Trevor Story (.291, 37, 108), RF Carlos Gonzalez (.276, 16, 64), 1B Ian Desmond (.236, 22, 88), C Chris Iannetta (.224, 11, 36).Brewers: CF Lorenzo Cain (.308, 10s, 38, 30/37 steals, .395 OBP), RF Christian Yelich (NL-best .326, 36, 110, 22/26 steals, 1.000 OPS), 1B Jesus Aguilar (.274, 35, 108, .890 OPS), 2B Travis Shaw (.241, 32, 86)... [More]

A look at the best-of-five National League Division Series between the Colorado Rockies and Milwaukee Brewers:___Schedule: (All times EDT) Game 1, Thursday, at Milwaukee, 5:07 p.m. (FS1); Game 2, Friday, at Milwaukee, 4:15 p.m. (FS1); Game 3, Sunday, at Denver, 4:37 p.m. (MLB); x-Game 4, Monday, Oct. 8, at Denver, TBA; x-Game 5, Wednesday, Oct. 10, at Milwaukee, TBA.x-if necessary.___Season Series: Brewers won 5-2.___Projected Lineups:Rockies: CF Charlie Blackmon (.291, 29 HRs, 70 RBIs), 2B DJ LeMahieu (.276, 15, 62), LF David Dahl (.273, 16, 48) or Matt Holliday (.283, 2, 3, 12 walks, .849 OPS in 65 plate appearances), 3B Nolan Arenado (.297, 38, 110), SS Trevor Story (.291, 37, 108), RF Carlos Gonzalez (.276, 16, 64), 1B Ian Desmond (.236, 22, 88), C Chris Iannetta (.224, 11, 36).Brewers: CF Lorenzo Cain (.308, 10s, 38, 30/37 steals, .395 OBP), RF Christian Yelich (NL-best .326, 36, 110, 22/26 steals, 1.000 OPS), 1B Jesus Aguilar (.274, 35, 108, .890 OPS), 2B Travis Shaw (.241, 32, 86)... [More]