"Although it had been anticipated for months, Melvin Mora's career with the Orioles officially ended Sunday when he agreed to a one-year, $1.3 million deal to be a utility player with the Colorado Rockies. The contract is pending a physical examination this week.

"I do have to get a physical, but I think they'll give me more money because I am stronger than ever before," Mora said jokingly in a phone conversation from Venezuela.

Mora, who turns 38 next Sunday, knew toward the end of last year that he wouldn't be returning to Camden Yards for his 11th season but said it still is not an easy thing to accept.

"What can I say? The fans know my heart is with them and with the organization and with this city. It's completely a part of my life," said Mora, whose family, including his 8-year-old quintuplets, will continue to live in Bel Air. "I am going to love the Orioles for the rest of my life. I'll never forget how they treated me."

Both sides, however, felt it was time to separate, Mora said. Ten seasons of losing wore on him, and he clashed with manager Dave Trembley in the second half of last season, publicly accusing Trembley of disrespect. Now, Mora is joining an organization that captured the National League wild-card berth last season.

"This is a good opportunity for me and especially for myself to smell the playoffs," Mora said. "I know the Rockies have a pretty good team. And I had a lot of discussions with my wife and the family, and we've decided to go with Colorado."

Mora said he and his agent talked to at least a half-dozen other teams- the Texas Rangers, Seattle Mariners, Los Angeles Angels, New York Mets, Cincinnati Reds and St. Louis Cardinals - but the Rockies were the most interested and most aggressive.

Earlier in the offseason, he had an extended phone call with Jim Tracy, the Rockies' manager and the 2009 NL Manager of the Year, and said he knew then that he wanted to be with the Rockies."