ROCKIES PLAYERS WOULD BE HAPPY TO SEE CARGO»

32-year-old outfielder with 215 home runs is missed “really badly” by Colorado players

SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ.» Carlos Gonzalez, the Rockies’ star outfielder for nine seasons who nearly slipped away into free agency, on Friday appeared close to signing a contract for a return to Colorado, according to multiple reports.

Rockies general manager Jeff Bridich said “no comment” in regard to his pursuit of Gonzalez, and manager Bud Black would not address Gonzalez’s situation. Any deal would require Gonzalez to take a physical before it can be finalized. But talk of Gonzalez’s pending return was greeted with enthusiasm in the Rockies’ clubhouse at spring training.

“I would love to have CarGo back,” center fielder Charlie Blackmon said.

Gonzalez and the Rockies are nearing a one-year deal, as Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports first reported — a short-term solution to a free-agency environment that was not kind to the right fielder. Gonzalez had one of his worst professional seasons in 2017. The Rockies let Gonzalez, 32, walk into free agency after his contract expired last year. But teammates have been lobbying this spring for his return, including all-star third baseman Nolan Arenado.

“I think it would be safe to say that everyone here misses him, really badly,” Arenado told The Denver Post.

Gonzalez is a three-time all-star and has 215 career home runs. But if he was hoping for a multiyear deal this offseason, he found instead a brick wall. He joined a group of free agents who remain unsigned well into spring training, including former Rockies Greg Holland, a closer, and Jonathan Lucroy, a catcher.