Iglesias eager to slide into Rockies SS hole left by Story

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Needing to fill a shortstop hole, the Colorado Rockies think they’ve got a smooth fit with José Iglesias.

Iglesias signed a one-year, $5 million contract to step in for franchise fixture Trevor Story, an addition made with an eye toward extending the Rockies’ defensive prowess in the middle infield.

Story is a free agent and hasn’t yet signed with a team.

The 32-year-old Iglesias hit .271 with 27 doubles, nine homers and 48 RBIs in 2021, playing 114 games with the Los Angeles Angels before joining Boston during the September stretch.

Iglesias committed a career-high 16 errors with the Angels, but the Rockies consider that a minor blip for a player who committed more than 10 errors in only one of his previous seven full seasons.

Bryant, Freeman make NL West even tougher with big deals

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — The NL West was already a good division and it should be even tougher in 2022.

The Los Angeles Dodgers added Freddie Freeman and the Colorado Rockies secured Kris Bryant in free agency, giving the five-team division a few more big bats.

It’s a group of teams that want to win now and aren’t afraid to spend money. The Dodgers have been spending for years while the Padres and Giants haven’t been afraid to open their pocketbooks, either.

Even the Rockies got into the act, nabbing Bryant on a $182 million, seven-year deal.