Rockies acquire RHP Marquis from Cubs

Jan 6, 2009 - 9:24 PM CHICAGO (Ticker) -- The Colorado Rockies added depth to their rotation on Tuesday, acquiring righthander Jason Marquis and cash from the Chicago Cubs for righthanded reliever Luis Vizcaino.

Marquis, 30, went 11-9 with a 4.53 ERA in 29 games for the NL Central Division champion Cubs last season. It was his fifth consecutive double-digit-win season.

"The addition of Jason to our ballclub brings us the veteran leadership and depth to our rotation that we have been seeking to add this offseason," Colorado general manager Dan O'Dowd said in a statement.

The Cubs acquire the 34-year-old Vizcaino, who went 1-2 with a 5.28 ERA in 43 games with Colorado a season ago. The 10-year veteran held righthanders to a .170 average last season.

Chicago now has three of the top six pitchers in that category from 2008. Carlos Marmol led the league with a .103 batting average allowed to righthanders, and Rich Harden ranked third with a .146 mark.

Aside from giving the Cubs another arm in the bullpen, the move also helps them clear salary for the impending signing of free agent outfielder Milton Bradley.

Marquis' departure cleared about $9 million from the Cubs' 2009 payroll.