Rockies monitoring but not prioritizing Trumbo

Mark Trumbo's big bat is still available on the free-agent market, but teams don't appear too inclined to strike a deal with the slugger.

The Colorado Rockies did express interest in Trumbo in December when general manager Jeff Bridich revealed the club was "keeping track" of last season's home-run leader, but though they're continuing to monitor his situation, Bridich isn't considering the 30-year-old as a priority right now.

"We certainly remain in touch, for good reason. Mark is a very good player. So we remain in touch," Bridich said Tuesday, according to Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post. "But as I mentioned prior, we have certain priorities that we are trying to push here, so there are probably some prior priorities ahead of (anything) we would do with Trumbo."

Rather than add another bat in free agency, Bridich admitted the club's current needs lie in the bullpen, revealing the Rockies have been in contact with free-agent relievers Greg Holland and Joe Blanton.

Related - Report: Rockies have contacted Blanton, Holland

He also reiterated a desire to extend outfielder Carlos Gonzalez, though admitted there are no current plans for an extension with third baseman Nolan Arenado, who's expected to earn a big raise in his second year of arbitration.

"We will work on trying to get a one-year deal done and if things come up, just like anything else, we are going to keep an open mind to anything," Bridich said regarding Arenado, according to Saunders.

Colorado was reported to be in negotiations with Trumbo earlier in December - as well as Edwin Encarnacion, who eventually signed with the Cleveland Indians - though talks do not appear to have gone far between the two sides.