Rockies have internal options to replace Marquis

The Denver Post reports that right-hander Jason Marquis(notes) likely will leave the Colorado Rockies as a free agent, but that general manager Dan O’Dowd doesn’t believe he’ll need to spend big to replace the 15-game winner.

O’Dowd tells the newspaper prospects Samuel Deduno(notes), Esmil Rogers(notes) and Jhoulys Chacin(notes) are rotation options, as well as Greg Smith(notes) and Greg Reynolds(notes), both of whom are coming off injuries. Colorado also expects former ace Jeff Francis(notes) to be ready after missing the 2009 season because of shoulder surgery.

In other Rockies news, the Post speculates third baseman Garrett Atkins(notes) will be traded or non-tendered. He hit just .226 with nine homers and 48 RBIs this season.

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