fun with stats...

by DenverBears on Aug 23, 2005 9:36 AM MDT

I was just looking at espn's sortable stats and found some interesting things. First, the Rockies are up to 185 runs scored on the road--a mere 51 runs behind 29th place (the Phillies)--ouch. That works out to 3.3 Runs/game. Given that some of those runs are unearned and some games go extra innings--the opponent ERA would be somewhat lower than that even. By comparison, the Cardinals lead the majors in ERA at 3.43--ugh.

I also looked up the Rockies' rank in OPS by position, which I found interesting--obviously not adjusted for park--so make your own adjustments accordingly
C 11th
1B 4th
2B 22nd
3B 17th
SS 15th
LF 15th
CF 21st
RF 5th
P 17th (11th in NL)

A couple of things stand out--I'm actually surprised at how well the 1B rank given Helton's down year. And RF? Also, the catchers aren't too bad? Lastly, it makes apparent what we already knew---Miles needs to sit and CF is a problem

Eat. Drink. Be Merry. But the above FanPost does not necessarily reflect the attitudes, opinions, or views of Purple Row's staff (unless, of course, it's written by the staff [and even then, it still might not]).

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Very interesting

I think the thing with catcher is that most people are more comfortable with a complete player starting most days instead of a multiple platoon. Looking at the sad sack of free agent catchers, the only one I would consider would be Jason LaRue, if he isn't offered arbitration, but that isn't much to be proud of. Instead, I wouldn't mind a platoon of Todd Greene and Danny Ardoin until Chris Iannetta is ready. This gives Closser a chance to get consistent at bats in the Springs, and provide average to below hitting in case of injury. Greene has the pop to be a force in the bottom half of the lineup, while Ardoin is a capable defensive replacement. Any of these would be better than overpaying for Rod Barajas, which is what the media has suggested. Barring any trade, our core of catchers at their price is better than any free agent option, unless Hernandez comes cheap and accepts a three-four year deal.

I'd like to know what mid-teir free agent centerfielder the media is talking about picking up in free agency. Here is a complete list of free agent outfielders available I found on this site: http://www.mlb4u.com/freeagent.html

Rickey Henderson (Agent Jeff Borris) (Playing in Indep. League)
Rusty Greer (Retired)
Raul Mondesi
Ray Lankford
Bubba Trammell
Reggie Sanders
Eli Marrero
John Mabry
B.J. Surhoff
Quinton McCracken
Carlos Lee (Team Option)
Bobby Higginson
Hideki Matsui* (please see his contract for details)
Rondell White
Randy Winn (Mutual Option)
Jeff Conine
Jeffrey Hammonds (Retired)
Todd Hollandsworth
Marty Cordova (Retired)
Ruben Rivera
Eric Owens
Tom Goodwin
Doug Glanville (Retired)
Chris Singleton (Pursuing broadcasting)
Marquis Grissom
Brian L. Hunter (playing in Indy league)
Michael Coleman
Roger Cedeno
Jacque Jones
Carl Everett (Team Option)
Craig Biggio
Preston Wilson
Kerry Robinson
Jay Payton (Team Option)
Bernie Williams
Kenny Lofton
Curtis Pride
Roosevelt Brown
Johnny Damon
Dee Brown
Peter Bergeron
Trenidad Hubbard
Orlando Merced
Jong-Soo Shim (Agent: John Kim)
John Vander Wal (Retired)
Armando Rios (Playing in Atl. League)
Darren Bragg (Playing in Atl. League)
Michael Tucker
Sammy Sosa (Team Option)
Larry Walker (Team Option)
Juan Encarnacion
Gabe Kapler
Matt Stairs
Orlando Palmeiro
Jose Cruz Jr.
Jacob Cruz
Richard Hidalgo
Juan Gonzalez
Dustan Mohr (Mutual Option)
Moises Alou (Player Option)
Jeromy Burnitz (Mutual Option)
Danny Bautista (Retired)
Brian Jordan
Matt Lawton
Brian Giles

Sorry that's so long, but it is quick reference. The list of pure centerfielders is underwhelming. I guess Richard Hidalgo would be intruiging if his price has returned to its rightful level. There was once a time when he was a good defenisve centerfielder, and there's always that chance he hits .285/.370/.500, making him great mid-season trade bait or a quality role player, but again, he has to command a price in-line with his recent performance.

by David "ohno" on Aug 23, 2005 12:39 PM MDT reply actions

naive question....

I think I already know the answer.

How about Spilborghs in CF? I actually don't know anything about his defense, but he played CF in college and from his stats (triples and SBs) I gather he isn't that slow. He plays RF quite a bit, so I gather his arm is ok. It is an 'out of the box' (I hate that expression) solution, but if I were GM I might consider it. His bat seems much further along than Salazar at this point. He never seems to play CF in the minors, so I am guessing somewhere along the line somebody determined that he can't handle the position.

Maybe I'm just biased, but I've taken up Spilborghs as my cause (even though I know nothing about him except his stats and that we share a birthday). It just seems to me that guys like Choo Freeman and Salazar get hundreds of chances before Spilborghs gets one. Maybe, he just has had a fluke year, but only one of those three guys looks like he has figured out how to hit.

by DenverBears on Aug 25, 2005 5:28 AM MDT up reply actions

I don't think it's that naive

I've seen him gun a guy at home from the left field corner in Driller Stadium, so I've seen his arm, and it is above average. I'm not sure about his range or anything, but he seems to take good angles so it may be worth looking into. As for his hitting this year, it is a bit flukey, and I wouldn't expect him to repeat such numbers. Still, his fluke season is considerably better than anything Freeman has put forth, and I think Spilborghs has earned a chance just as much as the others. It's worth a shot, I'd like to see it.

Tony Miller is another guy. Does this program just not like him? Despite high on base skills demonstrated in Tulsa, he's been forced to repeat a level. He's fast, and steal a bag, and has shown suprising pop for a player his size. He seems like a quality leadoff/centerfielder with plus pop. He too is deserving of a shot in center.

by David "ohno" on Aug 25, 2005 12:29 PM MDT up reply actions

I agree...

about Miller...I dont know what the organization doesnt like about him....but for some reason, he is shown no love at all.

David

by Rockiesbiggestfan on Aug 25, 2005 12:48 PM MDT up reply actions

maybe somebody is listening....

I noticed that Spilborghs played CF last night in Colorado Springs.

by DenverBears on Aug 29, 2005 1:58 AM MDT up reply actions

I agree with OhNo on this,

First, as far as catcher, the offense has never been the problem for the Rockies (well okay, it was a problem for Closser at the beginning of the year) but more the run prevention side, and catcher is a pretty vital cog in that regard.

Second, I read those reports about CF too, and I really don't see a quality second tier candidate I'd readily choose over giving Jeff Salazar a shot. Particularly for a team building for the year after next at the earliest. No, I could possibly see us pursuing a cheap plan B backup type that the entire blogging community will thrash, maybe even bringing back Quentin McCracken for instance, but don't expect a move you really feel good about at this position.

I see us pursuing two things in the FA market in the offseason. One, a mid-grade catcher not named Ramon Hernandez, and two, replacements for the bullpen members we're sloughing off like Acevedo and Miceli and whoever.

by Rox Girl on Aug 23, 2005 7:24 PM MDT reply actions

I don't disagree....

Regarding a Catcher, I was just suprised that the Catchers have performed that well considering all the ABs given to a sub-.230 Closser. I also agree at C, that the main problem is D. I actually think that at the end of the day, Closser will hit as well as Iannetta. Closser and Iannetta performed pretty similarly in the minors at similar ages.

Closser
Age 21    A-LANCASTER    .377    .506    .291
22    AA-CAROLINA    .369    .498    .283
23    AA-TULSA    .359    .471    .283
24    AAA-COLO SPRNGS    .384    .440    .299

Iannetta
Age 22 A-MODESTO .381 .490 .276

Actually, look at the similarity between the two in A-ball with Closser being a year younger.

Anyway, I think they both have the potential to hit above average in the majors for a catcher, but I am hoping that Iannetta's D is as good as I've read.

As for CF, I don't know what the answer is, but I agree it is certainly not paying a lot of money for a FA. I'm not optimistic about Salazar, but it might be worth giving him a shot. Otherwise, there is Bigbie, who at least won't embarass himself in CF.

One of the things that jumps out at me about the stats above is that the rockies are 15th or lower at 5 of the 8 positions, despite hitting at Coors field. To be competitive, I believe the Rockies need to be leading the NL in runs scored as they used to when they were competitive. The Rockies will probably improve somewhat at a few of those weak positions--2B (no Miles), 3B (Atkins with a year more experience), SS (a full year with Barmes) and possibly LF, but most of these improvements will be modest.

by DenverBears on Aug 24, 2005 5:18 AM MDT reply actions

I won't dispute that

claim on Closser's offense compared to Iannetta's, and will concur that J.D.'s offense this season is below what is to be expected of him. Looking at a platoon situation for next season, the reason I chose Greene over Closser is that Greene's ability to hit for power and decent average will play well in Coors. His defense compared to Closser's is a wash, but he has more pop and seems to be more comfortable at the plate. Closser's best chance in Colorado may be as an eventual backup to Iannetta, if Chris's defense holds true (I've seen him hit in about four games, always in the DH role) as J.D. handles the bat well enough to play every fourth day.

by David "ohno" on Aug 24, 2005 12:20 PM MDT up reply actions