National Baseball Report

Padres sign Yorvit Torrealba

The San Diego Padres signed catcher Yorvit Torrealba to a one-year, $1.25 million contract according to Buster Olney of ESPN.com.  The contract includes a mutual option for 2011 for $3.5 million.  Torrealba turned down a two-year, $4.5 million offer from the Colorado Rockies earlier in the offseason.  He hit .291 with two home runs and 31 RBI in 213 at-bats for the Rockies in 2009.

Rockies sign Miguel Olivo

The Colorado Rockies signed catcher Miguel Olivo to a one-year, $2 million contract according to Thomas harding of MLB.com.  Olivo hit .249 with 23 home runs, 65 RBI and a .781 OPS for the Kansas City Royals in 2009.  He led the Royals in home runs.

Olivo will share the catching duties with Chris Iannetta.  The Rockies pursued Olivo after they failed to reach an agreement with Yorvit Torrealba.

"We like his emotion, we like his passion, toughness and athleticism," Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd said of Olivo. "We thought he would be a very good fit on our club."

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"I think we can have some production, but they both need to put the ball in play a little bit more -- both are capable of doing that," O'Dowd said. "We think that we're going to be in a good, competitive position this spring. It's a position where we wanted to have the best two we could possibly have. It's a tough position to fix if something goes wrong during the season."

Rockies working on a contract with Miguel Olivo

The Colorado Rockies are talking with catcher Miguel Olivo according to Tracy Ringolsby of SI.com.  The Rockies have been focused on Olivo since they hit an impasse with Yorvit Torrealba.  Olivo hit .249 with 23 home runs, 65 RBI and a .781 OPS for the Kansas City Royals in 2009.  Olivo led the Royals in home runs.

Chris Ianetta is expected to get an opportunity to win the starting catcher job.  Olivo is expected to be the backup catcher, which he was not happy with in Kansas City behind John Buck.

Rockies sign Chris Iannetta

The Colorado Rockies signed catcher Chris Iannetta to a three-year, $8.3 million contract.  The Rockies have a club option on Iannetta of $5 million for 2013.  The contract also includes escalators based on playing time.

Iannetta hit .228 with 16 home runs and 52 RBI and an .804 OPS in 2009 for the Rockies.  He lost the starting job to Yorvit Torrealba in September.

"I felt he was behind me at all times," Iannetta said. "Even when I wasn't playing, he'd come and talk to me about hitting and catching. And he talked to Yorvit and me, so we both understood what was going on at all times. I understood totally. Yes, I want to play and I want to win, and I wasn't the best guy."

Blue Jays interested in Torrealba

The Toronto Blue Jays are expected to make a contract offer to Colorado Rockies free agent catcher Yorvit Torrealba.  The Blue Jays have inquired about Torrealba multiple times this offseason.

"They did call. They have called a few times already," said Roman, referring to the Blue Jays. "We have spoken about the possibilities with Toronto. They did call and ask about Torrealba."

Rod Barajas, Toronto's main catcher the last two seasons, is a free agent this offseason.  The other catcher they have with major league experience, Raul Chavez, is arbitration eligible and is expected to return as the backup.

The Blue Jays would not lose a draft pick if they sign Torrealba.  Torrealba is a Type B free agent.

Source: Jordan Bastian - MLB.com

Giants looking at Torrealba

The San Francisco Giants are interested in Colorado Rockies free agent catcher Yorvit Torrealba.  Torrealba was the backup catcher for the Giants from 2001-2005.  The Giants are looking for a catcher for one year until prospect Buster Posey is expected to be ready for the major leagues.

Source: Tom Singer - ESPN.com

Torrealba declines Rockies' contract offer

Jon Heyman reports that the Colorado Rockies declined the $4 million 2010 option on catcher Yorvit Torrealba.  The Rockies then offered the catcher a two-year $4.5 million contract.  Torrealba declined the Rockies' contract offer.

Victor Zambrano's mother kidnapped

ESPN is reporting that former major league pitcher Victor Zambrano's mother was kidnapped Sunday in Venezuela.

In Venezuela, which is home to dozens of major leaguers, the families of wealthy athletes are periodically targeted by kidnappers. Colorado Rockies catcher Yorvit Torrealba's son and brother-in-law were released by kidnappers a day after they were abducted in June.

Rockies decline options on Torrealba, Embree

Troy Renck reports that the Colorado Rockies have declined options on Yorvit Torrealba and Alan Embree.  Torrealba's agent said he could return to the team but that they would look at all options in the free agent market.