In late December, Colorado signed Jeromy Burnitz to a one-year, $1.5M contract that includes a $250,000 buyout on a $3M mutual option for 2005. Due to the Rockies desire to alternate left and right-handed batters in their lineup, Burnitz currently is slotted to hit seventh in the Colorado lineup while replacing Jay Payton, who the Rockies non-tendered, in left field.