Cubs to ship RHP Marquis to Rockies

Jan 1, 2009 - 12:26 AM DENVER (Ticker) -- The Colorado Rockies and the Chicago Cubs have agreed in principle to a trade that would send righthander Jason Marquis to the Rockies in exchange for reliever Luis Vizcaino, according to the Denver Post.

The deal will not become official until next week, when the players are able to take physicals.

Marquis, 30, is scheduled to make $9.875 million next season while Vizcaino will be in the final campaign of a two-year, $8 million pact. According to the report, Chicago will pay $1 million of the money owed to Marquis.

Vizcaino, 34, was expected to assume a prominent role at the back end of Colorado's bullpen but struggled in his return to the National League, posting a 1-2 record with a 5.28 ERA in 43 games. The righthander was being used mainly in low-leverage situations by the end of the season and asked to be traded in October, according to the newspaper.

He owns a 34-27 record with a 4.34 ERA over 10 seasons with six teams.

Marquis went 11-9 with a 4.53 ERA and a 1.449 WHIP last season. He was pushed into the fifth starter's spot when Chicago acquired Rich Harden in July and Marquis was not in the playoff rotation.

In nine seasons, Marquis owns a 79-70 mark with a 4.55 ERA and 752 strikeouts. He is 3-0 with a 2.51 ERA in five career games - four starts - at Coors Field.