Rockies exercise option on LaTroy Hawkins, decline option on Brett Anderson

The Rockies made decisions on two of their pitchers this weekend, exercising their $2.25 million option on reliever LaTroy Hawkins and declining their $12.5 million option on Brett Anderson. Anderson will receive a $1.5 million buyout as a result. The Anderson news was first reported by Jeff Passan of Yahoo! Sports.

Hawkins, who turns 42 in December, returns to the Rockies for the second season of his second stint with the team. His option was expected to be picked up after his solid 2014 season, in which he was 4-3 with a 3.31 ERA in 54.1 innings.

Anderson, 26, made only eight starts for the Rockies due to injuries to his finger and back, but posted a solid 2.91 ERA in his short time with Colorado. He is expected to draw tons of interest from teams looking for a starter on the free agent market due to his age and past success, and could be looking to sign a one-year deal to re-establish value before potentially looking for a multi-year deal on the open market after next season.

Who has 2 thumbs and is a free agent...this guy.

— Brett Anderson (@BAnderson_30) November 1, 2014