Rox have interest in Marquis

The Rockies have internally discussed Cubs right-hander Jason Marquis, who is on the trading block, but don't yet have a feel from the Cubs about the situation. The Rockies don't have the versatile left-handed bat the Cubs seek (it's not known if right-handed hitting Jeff Baker will do), and Marquis' $9.875 million salary for 2009 is greater than that of any Rox pitcher. The Rocky Mountain News mentions a pitcher who might fit the Rockies' desires for a front-of-the-rotation pitchre even better -- the Angels' Joe Saunders. However, the Rockies aren't likely to give up infielder Garrett Atkins for him.

Meanwhile, the Rockies join the Giants and Phillies in their interest in right-handed hitting Delmon Young. Also, the Denver Post reported that the Rockies have signed catcher Paul Phillips, formerly of the Royals and White Sox, to a Minor League contract.

Heard around the hallways of the Bellagio Resort in Las Vegas during the first full day of the Winter Meetings.

-- The Rockies are asking a high price for reliever Huston Street, obtained last month from the Athletics in the Matt Holliday trade.

-- Brent Mayne, a former catcher with the Rockies and several other Major League teams, is in town promoting his new, self-published 98-page manual, The Art of Catching: Secrets and Techniques of Baseball's Most Demanding Position. Mayne has been getting inquiries from catchers and coaches, so he decided to place his years of knowledge into a much-needed book. He also has a Web site on which he posts interviews with experts on the subject.

-- Thomas Harding