Rockies, Paulino strike one-year pact

Rockies, Paulino strike one-year pact

Rockies, Paulino strike one-year pact
DENVER -- The Rockies reached a one-year, $790,000 deal with right-hander Felipe Paulino on Tuesday, avoiding arbitration.

Paulino, acquired from the Astros in November for infielder Clint Barmes, could be a part of the rotation or a hard-throwing member of the bullpen. Paulino went 1-9 with a 5.11 ERA in 19 games, including 14 starts, for the Astros last season.

The Rockies are still hoping to reach agreements with right-handed pitcher Jason Hammel and third baseman Ian Stewart before their arbitration hearings, which will be scheduled for next month.

The club and the players exchanged salary figures on Tuesday that will be used during their hearings, but the parties can continue to negotiate a deal. If they can't settle on a contract, there will be a hearing before a three-judge panel, with the panel selecting either the player's figure or the club's for the player's 2011 salary.

Hammel is seeking $3.7 million, while the club has offered $3.1 million. Stewart is seeking $2.6 million, with the Rockies submitting a $2.15 million proposal.

In other contracts of the Rockies' arbitration-eligible players, infielder Jose Lopez reached a one-year, $3.6 million agreement with the Mariners before being traded to the Rockies during the offseason, right-handed reliever Matt Belisle signed for one year and $2.35 million, and righty reliever Matt Lindstrom, obtained from the Astros in a separate deal, signed for two years and $6.6 million with a club option for 2013 on Monday.
