According to the Rocky Mountain News, Royce Clayton is close to signing with the Colorado Rockies.

The Rockies have had interest all along in Clayton, who played last season in Milwaukee, feeling he could fit as a super utility infielder or protection at second base if they signed shortstop Rich Aurilia. In the past week, however, the Rockies have begun to doubt their ability to make a deal with Aurilia, and Clayton could be projected into the starting lineup at shortstop.

The Rockies offered Aurilia a $2.5 million deal, but agent Barry Axelrod has said the proposal is below what other teams have offered. The Rockies, however, are the only National League team to approach Aurilia that trains in Arizona and wants him to play shortstop.

Royce Clayton's value last year was all in his defense. He put up zero offensive win shares last year. The only other player to have at least 480 AB and zero offensive win shares was Jose Hernandez. I guess the Brewers found the appropriate replacement for him. Aurilia, at this point in his career, isn't exactly a prize, but I'd much rather have Rich than poor Royce Clayton starting for me.