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RHP Maine picks Rockies over Phillies

John Maine agreed to a minor league deal with the Rockies. (Lynne Sladky/AP Photo)
John Maine agreed to a minor league deal with the Rockies. (Lynne Sladky/AP Photo)Read more

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Former Mets pitcher John Maine will not be joining the Phillies on a minor league contract.

The veteran righthander has agreed to a minor league deal with the Colorado Rockies, a source said Thursday afternoon.

As of Wednesday, there was a possibility that Maine would end up signing with the Phillies. The club is hardly in need of starting pitching, but if Maine was willing to sign a minor league contract, the Phillies likely would have been open to adding the depth he would provide. Agent Rex Gary, who has a close relationship with the Phillies, said Wednesday afternoon that the club was still a possibility for Maine.

Maine's best season for the Mets was 2007 when he made 32 starts and went 15-10 with a 3.91 earned run average.

While his win total declined and his ERA rose each of the last 3 years, he consistently allowed fewer hits than innings pitched despite shoulder problems that landed him on the disabled list each season.

He had season-ending surgery last July. Coincidentally, it was Phillies team doctor Michael Ciccotti who performed the procedure to repair a small tear in his shoulder capsule.

He became a free agent when the Mets failed to offer him arbitration.