The Rockies would be a lot better off sending money to Haiti, because this amounts to nothing more than charity.

The Rockies signed Payton, who didn’t play in the Majors in 2009, to a Minor League contract with an invitation to Major League Spring Training, Rockies player development director Marc Gustafson announced Wednesday.

Gustafson also said the Rockies completed work on a Minor League deal with catcher Paul Lo Duca, a former All-Star who also didn’t play in 2009.

Payton, 37, hit .309 with 33 home runs for the Rockies 2002-03 before signing with the Padres as a free agent. He last played for the Orioles in 2008, when he hit .243 with seven homers and 41 RBIs.

Lo Duca, who turns 38 on April 12, played for manager Jim Tracy with the Dodgers. A .286 hitter in 11 seasons, Lo Duca hit .243 for the Nationals and Marlins in 2008.

Thank God both contracts are Minor League deals, but what’s the point anyway?  I can’t think of two potential free agents with more of a ceiling than Payton and Lo Duca.  I didn’t even know that Jay Payton was still in baseball (and oh, by the way – you think he ever roided?!?!) and Lo Duca isn’t good for anything except having affairs with teenagers.

I really can’t think of a worse way for the Rockies to spend their money.  I mean, these guys weren’t even good enough for the Mets.  It would make about as much sense to sign a giraffe and a teacup.  That giraffe would have a hell of a strike zone, though,

[MLB.com]