Rockies Rumors: LaTroy Hawkins announces retirement after 2015 season, still closer?

Colorado Rockies veteran closer LaTroy Hawkins announced on MLB Network's Hot Stove broadcast on Friday that 2015 will mark his final season as an active MLB player.

"Next Sunday, I'll be 42 and 2015 will be my last year playing professional baseball," Hawkins said, via Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post. "Hopefully not my last year of professional, but it'll be my last year playing professional baseball."

Hawkins is currently entering his 21st season as an MLB pitcher, and according to Rockies manager Walt Weiss, the plan is still for the ageless reliever to remain the team's closer.

"There are some options, but I think LaTroy is the guy that's closed games down there, he's got experience doing it," Weiss said during the winter meetings in San Diego. "He did a nice job for us last year. So as we sit here today, he's the guy in that spot.

"I think we have some young emerging arms, like I said, some guys with some power, and maybe they develop into a closer. But as we sit here today, LaTroy will be the guy pitching in the ninth inning."

The team picked up Hawkins' $2.25 million option at the end of the 2014 MLB season after he converted 23 of 26 save opportunities and posted a 3.31 ERA in 57 appearances.

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