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The Colorado Rockies and the family of manager Jim Tracy are monitoring the coach in a Florida hospital after the 54-year-old collapsed this morning in an Orlando-area hotel. The Denver Post reports that Tracy was in Florida with his family at his part-time home when he drove to the hotel to meet with team executives in town for baseball’s annual winter meetings. Tracy is apparently alert and responsive and was undergoing tests. There’s no word on the long-term prognosis for the coach.
Beyond the concern of his family and friends, this is a busy time for the Colorado Rockies. The team is coming off the monster deal it just signed with shortstop Troy Tulowitzki and the two-year, $21 million deal that keeps left-hander Jorge De La Rosa in town. The Rox aren’t done shopping and are apparently close to signing backups for first baseman Todd Helton and third baseman Ian Stewart. According to Fox Sports, the Rockies are nearing a deal with Ty Wigginton, a move that would solidify the team’s lineup and that could provide some much-needed offensive power to take the pressure off the bats of Tulowitzki and outfielder Carlos Gonzalez. The Rockies will then focus on adding a backup catcher and perhaps another relief pitcher.