Harrington Negotiations Run Into Another Roadblock

The negotiations between Matt Harrington of Palmdale and the Colorado Rockies have reached another impasse.

The Rockies rejected a recent counterproposal of $4 million over four years, including a signing bonus of $2.4 million, submitted by Harrington and his agent, Tommy Tanzer, on Tuesday.

The counterproposal was in response to the Rockies’ offer last week of $4 million over seven years, including a signing bonus of $1.5 million.

Tension between the sides was believed to be easing two weeks ago when Harrington, drafted No. 7 in June, met in person with Rockies’ officials for the first time.

Harrington, whose fastball has been clocked at 97 mph, could reenter the draft if the Rockies do not sign him by May 24.

* Kennedy High will retire the No. 20 jersey of pitcher Jon Garland during ceremonies at its alumni game next Saturday at 11 a.m. on the Granada Hills campus.

Garland, who was a 1997 first-round draft choice of the Chicago Cubs, pitches for the White Sox. He will join Garrett Anderson and Jim Anderson as the only Golden Cougar baseball players to have their jersey numbers retired.

* The Chicago Cubs have signed Mike Mitchell, former Rio Mesa High and UCLA first baseman, to a minor-league contract.

Mitchell played last season at triple-A Tucson in the Arizona Diamondbacks’ organization, batting .308 with four home runs and 40 runs batted in.