LaTroy Hawkins had to settle for a minor league deal with the Mets last offseason, but he has found a new home as a closer just one year later.
Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports that the Rockies have signed Hawkins to a one-year, $2.5 million contract, pending a physical. The Mets, Braves, and Indians were the other teams in the mix, but he jumped at the chance to close games for Colorado. His addition means that the hard-throwing Rex Brothers will slide back into a set-up role.
Hawkins, who turns 41 in December, is coming off an excellent season in which he posted a 2.93 ERA and 55/10 K/BB ratio over 70 2/3 innings. He was impressive while filling in for the injured Bobby Parnell late in the year, going 13-for-16 in save chances. He hasn’t had that many saves since his age-31 season with the Cubs in 2004.
