Fresh off their trade of catcher Chris Iannetta, the Colorado Rockies went out and signed veteran backstop Ramon Hernandez. Colorado and Hernandez reached a two-year agreement last night that is reportedly pending a physical. Fox Sports hears that Hernandez’s new deal is worth $6.5 million over his two years.
The Rockies were more willing to deal Iannetta, who had been their starting catcher, because they knew they had a deal in place with Hernandez. The veteran backstop has spent the last three seasons with the Reds where he has hit at a combined clip of .280/.348/.413. In 2011, Hernandez hit .282/.341/446 with 12 home runs and 36 RBI’s in his 91 games.
A career .266/.330/.419 hitter, Hernandez gives the Rockies the veteran catcher they were looking for to lead their young staff. Because Cincinnati offered Hernandez arbitration and he was considered a Type-B free agent, the Reds will receive a supplemental first round pick in next year’s draft.
Hernandez averaged less than 100 games played per year over his three seasons with the Reds, so the Rockies are not necessarily counting on the 35-year-old to play every day. The club has a pair of young catchers that figure to fight for playing time in 2012, Wilin Rosario (23) and Jordan Pacheco (26).
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