January 9, 200422 yr Associated Press DENVER -- The Colorado Rockies failed to reach an agreement with Greg Norton, leaving one of baseball's best pinch hitters free to negotiate with other teams. The Rockies offered salary arbitration to Norton and Mark Sweeney last month, but Norton declined it on Dec. 19. Sweeney agreed to a minor league deal on Monday. The Rockies had until Thursday to sign Norton, but will now have to wait until May 1 if they want to re-sign him. Norton has been one of Colorado's most versatile players in his three seasons there. His .275 average as a pinch hitter is the best in the majors since 2001, and his 41 RBIs and nine homers are also tops in that span. A switch hitter, Norton led the majors with 23 pinch hits and 17 RBIs last season, and hit .324 in 78 appearances off the bench. He hit .263 overall with six homers and 31 RBIs in 114 games. Norton played mostly third base for the Rockies, but he's also played in the outfield and appeared at every infield position. Norton is a career .249 hitter with 59 home runs and 226 RBIs in a six-year career that started with the Chicago White Sox. Sweeney's signing made it unlikely the Rockies would make an offer to Norton. Sweeney is a good pinch hitter -- .295 last season -- can play several positions, and his minor league contract was more in line with what the Rockies wanted to pay a utility player. Norton made $600,000 last season and was expected to get a raise.
January 9, 200422 yr I would love to see Greg Norton back. Come on Kenny, theres your back-up third baseman.
January 9, 200422 yr This would be a quality pickup for a pinch hitter, instead of using Konerko like we did last year.
January 9, 200422 yr I wouldn't mind having Norton here again. He actually gave the fans alot to cheer about when he was here because of hawk n wimpy always saying that line. I wouldn't mind at all going to a sox game and holding up a sign.."Norton..your da greatest."
January 9, 200422 yr did anyone actually see Norton play 3rd base? nice guy but I don't want him back at all
January 9, 200422 yr I wouldn't mind having Norton here again. He actually gave the fans alot to cheer about when he was here because of hawk n wimpy always saying that line. I wouldn't mind at all going to a sox game and holding up a sign.."Norton..your da greatest." I wouldn't mind having better players rather than signing players who one can hold a sign for I woiuld rather win than have signage
January 9, 200422 yr Just don't let him put a glove on and go out in the field. Does anyone else remember the series at Tiger Stadium in 1999 where he hit 5 homeruns in 3 games? That was awesome.
January 9, 200422 yr Just don't let him put a glove on and go out in the field. Does anyone else remember the series at Tiger Stadium in 1999 where he hit 5 homeruns in 3 games? That was awesome. big deal, something happend 5 seasons ago so we should sign a player you don't want in the field because he once gave you a thrill? a spot on a 25 player roster is too valuable to waste on a guy who gave a thrill in 1999 why do people always want to go back to their old girlfriends? Once you break up, you are done. move on.
January 9, 200422 yr big deal, something happend 5 seasons ago so we should sign a player you don't want in the field because he once gave you a thrill? a spot on a 25 player roster is too valuable to waste on a guy who gave a thrill in 1999 why do people always want to go back to their old girlfriends? Once you break up, you are done. move on. You totally misunderstood the point. I do not want him back here. I was just pointing out my favorite Greg Norton moment (or days). Anything wrong with that?
January 9, 200422 yr I wouldn't mind having better players rather than signing players who one can hold a sign for I woiuld rather win than have signage Norton will fill alot on needs as far as his versitility. He also makes good contact. Your acting like if he was a willie harris type player. And we need as many fans as possible for this cheap bastard of a owner. I think he could bring alot of fans back here.
January 9, 200422 yr You totally misunderstood the point. I do not want him back here. I was just pointing out my favorite Greg Norton moment (or days). Anything wrong with that? sorry I misunderstood - I don't want him back either he was not, is not, a good fielder at all
January 9, 200422 yr Your acting like if he was a willie harris type player. And we need as many fans as possible for this cheap bastard of a owner. I think he could bring alot of fans back here. Willie Harris is better and not one fan will one one ticket because Greg Norton is on the bench, but liable to have some fans buy less tickets because the team is weaskened with Norton back
January 9, 200422 yr Author Norton would be a nice backup for 1B. Unless you want big Frank out there giving Pauly a day off.
January 9, 200422 yr Norton would be a nice backup for 1B. Unless you want big Frank out there giving Pauly a day off. CW is a big Frank Thomas fan so I would imagine that is exactly what he would want.
January 9, 200422 yr CW is a big Frank Thomas fan so I would imagine that is exactly what he would want. very astute!
January 9, 200422 yr Norton is horrible. He hits .220 and may be the worst 3rd baseman of all time. Just say no.
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