Saturday Morning Rockpile:

by Rox Girl on Sep 8, 2007 7:07 AM MDT in Rockpile

Now even Elmer Dessens goes down. Who do we try next? Try this, how about Brandon Hynick in the Rockies rotation this year? In a somewhat convoluted chain befitting the rumor, according to Rocky Mountain News columnist Dave Krieger, Rockies beat reporter and resident farm guru Jack Etkin thinks it's a possibility. Frankly, this is one of the better ideas I've heard thrown out there. At any rate, Hynick is expected to join Franklin Morales and Greg Reynolds at the Springs next year.

As desperate as the team is, I'd rather lose Dessens for the season than an integral piece like D-backs second baseman, Orlando Hudson. Arizona might have given itself enough of a cushion to overcome this injury and still make the playoffs, but their offense definitely lacks one of its biggest threats if he's out.

Clint Hurdle, 2007 NL manager of the year.

Okay. If you knew that by winning a playoff spot we would also secure Clint this particular trophy, would you still want it? Of course you would (Mark Kiszla, I know you're the exception here) but if you're like me it has to at least give you a moment's pause, doesn't it? ESPN's power rankings says he deserves consideration. In the end, him winning could be a good thing, as it means another team might be willing to pay him more than the Rox are.

Tweet Comment 2 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

More injury trouble for the frontrunners

I forgot to mention that Milton Bradley might be down for a while with an oblique strain. I'm hoping he's gone until after the Rox visit San Diego later in the month, as he's been a key part of their success in the second half.

by Rox Girl on Sep 8, 2007 7:12 AM MDT reply actions

Hurdle Manager of the Year?

Naturally my first reaction was a smirk, because I'm one of the group here who is driven nuts by many of his decisions, especially his propensity to go to the sac bunt, his prejudice to using journeyman veterans over up and coming talent, and other little in game decisions too numerous to mention.

But then I wiped the smirk off my face. We are in the midst of a wild card run, and he is the manager. And he has been making some pretty good decisions lately, especially with respect to pitching, and especially last night. Also, maybe he's learned a bit after the Mabry/Finley disasters. He's used Spilly, Sully, and Stewart pretty well for the most part. While we may disagree with his lineup construction, the Rox are number two in the league in runs scored. I think that Willy and Kaz set a great tone at the top of the lineup. Helton hitting fourth is seen as poor lineup construction by a lot of us, but his ability to get on base and hit into the gaps is not negligible, and I think it makes the lineup more balanced from top to bottom. Even though his triple crown numbers look pretty bad, he is ranked ahead of Matt Holliday in runs created per 27 outs. I would guess Adkins high rbi totals the past few months have a lot to do with Helton, even though Todd's not scoring a whole bunch of those runs. Also, Hawpe and Tulo have been so good at the bottom of the lineup that we've been able to live with Yorvit/Ianetta in the eight spot.

If we find a way into the playoffs despite our decimated pitching staff, Hurdle will get a lot of the credit. Maybe some of it is actually justified.

by jlikesrockies on Sep 8, 2007 12:24 PM MDT reply actions