"With their best and final offer on the table, the Rockies were growing increasingly confident Thursday night that they would land free-agent outfielder Michael Cuddyer.

The Rockies have extended themselves as far as they will go — believed to be three years and $27 million — in an attempt to land their first big-ticket free agent since 2000. Cuddyer was weighing interest from Philadelphia and Seattle, but Colorado is considered the strong favorite.

The Rockies' interest in Cuddyer began at season's end. The aggressive pursuit began a week ago when general manager Dan O'Dowd cleared $9 million off the year's payroll in trades of reliever Huston Street? and third baseman Ian Stewart. O'Dowd, as he stressed in Wednesday's conference call with season-ticket holders, wants to change the clubhouse culture. Cuddyer would provide another veteran leader with playoff experience."