Matt Holliday: "I'm leaving Denver, and all I got from Purple Row was its 2008 Batter of the Year Award."

by Russ on Nov 12, 2008 7:46 AM MST in Purple Row Awards Comment 43 comments

Somehow I neglected to give out the Purple Row Batter of the Year Award. But first a recap:

Back in September, we voted on the Rockies' reliever of the year. The three candidates were Taylor Buchholz, Brian Fuentes,and Jason Grilli. Taylor Buchholz won the award, garnering 74 of the 151 votes cast.

A week later, Aaron Cook took home Purple Row's Starter of the Year Award. He was a shining light in an otherwise abysmal pit of despair.

In the middle of October, Ian Stewart won the non-existent hardware for Purple Row's Rookie of the Year Award.

At the end of October, we had a close vote for the game of the year. Of the 98 votes cast, 54 of them went to the July 4 comeback win against the Marlins.

Now we turn to the Batter of the Year Award. The winner is:

via i2.cdn.turner.com

Join me after the jump as we look at Matt Holliday's 2008 season.

**2006-2008 Batting**
Year	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	K	SF	IBB	HBP	GDP	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	OPS+	TB
2006	155	667	602	119	196	45	5	34	114	10	5	47	110	3	3	15	22	0.326	0.387	0.586	0.973	137	353
2007	158	713	636	120	216	50	6	36	137	11	4	63	126	4	7	10	23	0.340	0.405	0.607	1.012	150	386
2008	139	623	539	107	173	38	2	25	88	28	2	74	104	2	6	8	9	0.321	0.409	0.538	0.947	140	290

**2006-2008 Special Batting**
Year	RC	GPA	P/PA	LD%	BABIP	GB%	IF/F	HR/F	BA/RISP
2006	103	0.300	3.6	21.00%	0.351	44.60%	6.50%	18.20%	0.281
2007	125	0.304	3.7	19.80%	0.377	44.20%	3.80%	17.90%	0.333
2008	99	0.292	3.9	21.70%	0.359	45.50%	9.10%	16.20%	0.289

This entry was originally designed to be the start of another series where I would look at the three-year numbers of each player currently on the roster. But now Oakland can debate his numbers and skills and whatnot. In the wake of Holliday's departure, as Jim Armstrong (somewhat bombastically) opines, there's a huge hole to fill in the lineup.

via blogs.rockymountainnews.com

We'll always have Rocktober with you, Matty.

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Comments

My Holliday Jersey

is now a “throw back” like a #3 Yankees jeresy, or a Cal Ripkin Orioles jersey. At least mine has the World Series patch, to commemorate a moment in history.

And Armstrong thinks we will struggle with a hole in our line up? Really? with a hole in our rotation, the size of Cleveland, I don’t think Holliday was the difference. Oh, and Jim…yes Spillbourghs, Iannetta, or Tulo could be our #3 hitter.

In fact Jim here’s the Rockies line up for 09 barring any position addition:
1) Spillbourghs lf
2) Helton 1b
3) Iannetta c
4) Hawpe rf
5) Tulo ss
6) Stewart 3b
7) Baker/Barmes 2b
8) Gonzales cf

Is lefty righty from top to bottom. Not sure it helps a guy like Gonzales that lacks plate discipline to bat in front of the pitcher, but any other set up gets 2 lefties back to back.

Thought Clint Hurdle should be fired before it was cool.

by Redhawk on Nov 12, 2008 9:19 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

Now if we can get Orlando Hudson or Brandon Phillips or Brian Roberts

the line up would be:
1) 2b (Hudson/Phillips/Roberts)
2) Helton
3) Spilly
4) Hawpe
5) Iannetta
6) Stewart
7) Tulo
8) Gonzales

Thought Clint Hurdle should be fired before it was cool.

by Redhawk on Nov 12, 2008 9:23 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Not too bad...

Compare it to:

1 Stephen Drew
2 Chris Young
3 Chad Tracy
4 Mark Reynolds
5 Justin Upton
6 Conor Jackson
7 Chris Snyder
8 Augie Ojeda

1 ?
2 ?
3 Matt Kemp
4 Andre Ethier
5 James Loney
6 Russell Martin
7 ???
8 DeWitt

And things aren’t looking too bad relatively speaking right now.

by Rox Girl on Nov 12, 2008 9:34 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

The Dodgers

really are an interesting case. Following the playoffs, all my Dodgerfan friends (including the rare Dodgerfan who actually knows anything at all about baseball, which is indeed uncommon) were convinced they’d have Manny and Furcal back, which would make their lineup nasty again. But I’m not so sure. If those ?s are filled with Pierre, Berroa and Hu types…yikes. For them.

An interesting development is the new brouhaha about Russell Martin. Lots of leaks out there that the pitching staff doesn’t like him and the FO is souring. There was even a prevalent rumor that they would trade him and sign Varitek instead, man that would be nice. For us.

by Teekalong on Nov 12, 2008 9:48 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm calling hogwash on that

From what I’ve read, anyone who’s looked into Martin has been told “no chance.” Can’t imagine they’d let him go anywhere.

You know you want to check out Matt's Korea blog: http://koreamatt.wordpress.com

by MattTheRock on Nov 12, 2008 7:28 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree

that it makes no sense, but there are a lot of rumblings. Whatever. He’ll be in Dodger blue for sure.

by Teekalong on Nov 12, 2008 11:31 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

I was listening to him in the afternoon when the trade broke. I wanted to reach through my radio and strangle him. He and Sandy clearly do not understand how baseball works. Advocating paying 1 guy 150mil/7-8yrs on a team where that represents 1/3 of your payroll is DUMB DUMB DUMB. I’m still fired up about it.

by Hizilla on Nov 12, 2008 9:52 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

How realistic

do you think it is that the Rockies acquire Brandon Phillips and Homer Bailey from the Reds? Atkins and Street and a 2b are probably a starting point. Too bad the Reds aren’t interested in Taveras and/or Torrealba anymore…

by Resolution on Nov 12, 2008 10:01 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

I wouldn't advocate acquiring Phillips

I’m not a 3rd level stat geek, so I’m flying by seat of the pants, but my thinking is that going after Orlando Hudson, and trying to use some combinations of Atkins/Street/Taveras towards the best starter possible, whether that’s a young starter with possible huge upside, or any kind of real front line starter.

Watching the purple row from high atop the big brown monolith on California Ave

by Mondogarage on Nov 12, 2008 10:27 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Good point

I keep forgetting Hudson is available. I guess if Phillips and Bailey could be acquired for less than they should be and then Taveras could get a solid bullpen arm, I’d be happy. But otherwise yea, the priority is def a top starter, and either Hudson or an in-house solution (Barmes?) could be used at 2b for now…

by Resolution on Nov 12, 2008 10:47 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

And just when...

I get a little more OK with the deal, I read this:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/baseball/mlb/11/12/bp.hollidaytrade/index.html

Ugh.

by Teekalong on Nov 12, 2008 2:34 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Best part:

I fail to see how this trade makes the Rockies better over any time frame. They got an arm for the bullpen in Street who’s much better-suited to two-inning work or Steve Reed’s old job than one in which he’ll be asked to face every lefty in the world in the ninth inning with the game on the line. They got Smith, who’ll be a middle reliever in two years. They got Gonzalez, who isn’t as good as Dexter Fowler, and who might well be the next Juan Encarnacion.

Second half run?

by moomacher on Nov 12, 2008 2:55 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

ugh

This is a very good deal for the A’s, and an inexplicable one for the Rockies, for whom October 2007 seems a lifetime ago.

Well,except it’s very explainable….it’s a 13.5 million dollar salary dump. The A’s gave up nothing they will miss. And the big point for me…this deal could have been made at the trade deadline, if the Rockies were out of contention.

Now….use the money saved from Atkins and Holliday (about $20 million) and go after Sabathia (no way the Rockies out bid the NY’s or Boston, or the LAs) or Ben Sheets and I’ll be ok with the deal(s)

Thought Clint Hurdle should be fired before it was cool.

by Redhawk on Nov 12, 2008 2:57 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

I don’t get how people think that they could get a great package for Holliday at the deadline in 2009. Look at what Atlanta paid for Tex at the deadline in 2007 (maybe overpaid), and what they got back in 2008. The situations are pretty comparable IMO.

by Hizilla on Nov 12, 2008 4:25 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Interesting quote coming from Sheehan,

Who never gave the Rockies credit for October of 2007 until November of 2008 and was surprised that Holliday was still as good as he was last season.

At any rate, a key part of his thesis seems to be that Dexter Fowler is better than Gonzalez right now and ready to go in April, which if that’s the case, we’re in better shape than most of us thought. I don’t buy it. His second major point seems to be that Gonzalez won’t be better than Hawpe or Spilborghs in a couple of seasons, or at least won’t be better than another corner outfielder that the Rockies could easily acquire. I don’t know if this is true. We’ll see how he develops and certainly there’s considerable risk there, but Sheehan’s mentally stuck on Gonzalez in center, which isn’t letting him see a more complete picture.

The second thing is, while I agree with most of the rest of his points about Huston Street and Greg Smith, he seems to fail to see that Street has almost that exact same trade value for the Rockies right now as he did for the A’s, and in fact, he almost acknowledges that the A’s sold low on him. The Rockies get more value from this trade in two ways. One, like you’ve been saying is to use the leftover money for decent players (I don’t think they have to be the superstars you do, but we definitely shouldn’t be dumpster diving) or two, by flipping the acquired parts for a better return. I think both scenarios are still in play right now, Sheehan doesn’t touch on the money changing hands, so maybe he’s not aware of this, but if the team stays salary neutral to where they would have been with Matt next season, then it could still turn out to be a win for the Rockies.

by Rox Girl on Nov 12, 2008 5:33 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Opening salvo

Whether this was the opening move in an attempt to rebuild the team into a more competitive unit or it was the opening move in a fire-sale there are still several moves still to be made.

Until the Rockies decide what to do with Atkins, decide what to do with Street and decide what to do with the payroll that they have freed up there is no reasonable conclusion that can be drawn.

Since everything that the organization (and O’Dowd in particular) has said so far this off-season indicates that they are looking to improve on the 2008 team and no real evidence of a fire-sale has been found it seems logical to me to give them the benefit of the doubt.

By the time that pitchers and catchers report everyone in baseball will know if the Rockies are slashing payroll and that will still leave an entire season’s worth of time to complain about the horrible ownership. There is no need to jump the gun.

So far I still think that the opportunities are available for the Rockies to have an improved club next year (improved over if they had no zero roster turn-over).

by MADness on Nov 12, 2008 6:47 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Off topic, but not really...

Okay, this is going to probably be a bit off topic (but not really), but I haven’t seen it discussed here much…… When it comes to salaries (and the Rockies just dumped close to $10M per year unless I’m mistaken), are teams going to take the economy into consideration when they’re making trades? I know baseball team owners tend to be in the income brackets that are almost above what scares you and me, but I have to believe there’s going to be less families of 4 that are able to drop $300 for a night at the ballpark next year. Maybe making the decision to buy the tickets less on the quality of the players for their team as they are the money in their wallets. Could this also make dealing $13M players for cheap but promising labor that much harder? I mean, I don’t want to start a political or economical discussion here (very boring), but I’d think it may be a factor going into the off-season.

by IowaRockie on Nov 12, 2008 6:47 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

I've seen this discussed in some places.

And there’s evidence that teams are taking this into account, some more than others. Arizona’s basically frozen their payroll and have slashed staffing at their front office. The Rockies move has been seen as a sign that they might be more interested in cutting payroll than they are letting on and there have been whispers that there will be a lot of free agents settling for bargain contracts in late January because nobody will want to spend what they have in the past. I think you’ll see the marquee names like Teixeira and Sabathia get their bloated salaries, but it will be interesting to see how far up the free agent food chain the economic troubles will creep.

by Rox Girl on Nov 12, 2008 6:56 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

You should look at Gammons new piece

He basically praises Billy Beane’s omnipotence in seeing the crashing economy happen. Maybe not in so many words, but take a look for yourself:

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=3695225&name=gammons_peter

You know you want to check out Matt's Korea blog: http://koreamatt.wordpress.com

by MattTheRock on Nov 12, 2008 7:34 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

A timely post, IMO

I’ve been thinking about the very same thing. The one thing owners want, regardless of their tax bracket, is fannies in seats. With the economy in the tank, and likely will be well into next fall, I’d have to think that many owners are more than a bit worried about what’s going to happen at the gate this season. Consider that the Sawx aren’t going to raise ticket prices for the first time in 14 years. Not that they’ll have any problem selling tickets, but the move does seem to speak to the times.

And you can’t count me as one of those who are watching their wallets pretty closely. If the Rox decide they want $70 (or more) for lower level seats on Opening Day this year, I’ll have to pass. Much as I love being there, I can’t justify that expense.

I cannot say whether things will get better if we change; what I can say is they must change if they are to get better. -Georg C. Lichtenberg:

by rockhead on Nov 12, 2008 8:45 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Dang it

And you can count me as one of those….

I hate doing that.

I cannot say whether things will get better if we change; what I can say is they must change if they are to get better. -Georg C. Lichtenberg:

by rockhead on Nov 12, 2008 8:47 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Here as well

Since it would probably cost me over $300 just to fly out to Denver…. Sadly I’m going to have to miss opening day for about the 10th straight time. Never missed one while I was in Denver, but now I just settle for dropping $150 on the DirectTV season package. That will be the last thing I cut though. Even in the worst of times I figure that’s a net savings since it keeps me at home and out of trouble. Maybe MLB can compensate for the lack of ticket sales by increasing advertising. Everybody will be so poor they’ll have to either listen to the games on one of those hand cranked radios, or watch on the HDTVs not selling at Best Buy. I don’t think I could go back to the days when I used to have to scour the boxscores for my favorite team (Twins prior to 1993) in the following morning’s newspaper. How 20th century…..

by IowaRockie on Nov 12, 2008 9:14 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Economy, shmconomy

I have to miss opening day because I’ll be in Ohio working a trial. I’m sick over it, but gotta pay the mortgage.

Watching the purple row from high atop the big brown monolith on California Ave

by Mondogarage on Nov 12, 2008 11:02 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Dealin' Dan Lettin' Us Down

According to the news, the Rockies aill not be in the market for any front line free agent starting pitching:

"O’Dowd said the Rockies will not be a player in the free-agent market for top-level starting pitching. He said he is looking for such a talent in a trade, but he believes it may play out that the Rockies possess what they need to augment the front of their rotation — Aaron Cook, Jeff Francis and Ubaldo Jimenez.

Young left-hander Franklin Morales, who helped the team to the 2007 World Series during a late-season callup but flamed out last April, has given up one run in his last three games in Venezuela in winter ball. O’Dowd recognized him as the type of talent who can transform the rotation.

“That guy could be down in Venezuela, where he threw six shutout innings the other night,” O’Dowd said. “He could be working out down in Florida, the way Greg Reynolds is. He could be working out downstairs [at Coors Field].”

Yes, Morales can still become a stud, but nothing says “play for 2010” more than going into 2009 with the same rotation you started 2008 with.

Watching the purple row from high atop the big brown monolith on California Ave

by Mondogarage on Nov 13, 2008 9:27 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

Here's what I don' t understand

O’ Dowd still thinks he can get a number 2 or a 3 starter via trade. Yet such an offer was apparently not in cards for Holliday. So Atkins is supposed to bring back what Holliday couldn’t? Does the extra year till free agency give him more value or something? Or is O’dowd willing to include some prospects the other way, like one of our numerous AAA/MLB 4th and 5th starters (looking at you, Hirsh)?

Second half run?

by moomacher on Nov 13, 2008 10:03 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Yes and likely

I think those are your answers to your last two questions.

Regarding “going into 2009 with the same rotation you started 2008 with.”… is it not reasonable to project 2009 Jeff Francis and 2009 Ubaldo Jimenez to be better than their 2008 versions? I think that while there’s no true ‘ace’ in the Cook-UBall-Franchise trio, you’ve got three guys who can play stopper and match pitch for pitch with the best in the division. JDLR’s second half gives us a bit to dream on in the four spot. And more importantly, I don’t see a Mark Redman or Kip Wells in the bunch – though I suspect that might be because I’m a bit more bullish on Smith’s ability to live on the margins and have success as the #5 than most.

With improvement from UBall, and a rebound from Francis, I have far fewer questions and doubts about the 09 rotation than I did at this time last year about the 08 rotation (can UBall and Morales handle a full season, who will our last two starters be, can Cook pitch 200 innings in a season… and so forth).

Staying on the sunny side of Blake Street since 1993.

by Franchise26 on Nov 13, 2008 10:20 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm not sure we can bank

on improvement from Jimenez, and if anything, I think he’ll hold the line. Jimnez only made one improvement last year, and that was keeping contact on the ground. I don’t see his command getting any better, but he has enough K’s and grounders now to live comfortably in the danger zone. His FIRP was lower than his actual ERA at 3.83, which is pretty good for a guy with his walk rate. If he could bump his K rate above 8 per 9 and drop the walk rate below 4 per 9, he could see a huge improvement. I think he can handle the former but not the latter. My best guess is that we’re looking at the Ubaldo jimenez that he’s going to be, and that’s not bad.

Francis is a tough call as well, but his rates could revert back to his career averages and he could see a modest improvement.

I think banking on these three holding the line or improving isn’t an easy sell. It’s possible, but it wasn’t like Francis was way out of line with his career rates, nor did Jimenez make any progress with his command.

The biggest improvement could come from De La Rosa. His K rate really spiked, but he was still pretty dang hit unlucky, and that’s perplexing considering his stuff. I don’t know how a lefty with a big curve and hard fastball/cutter gives up a career .327 BABIP. If he has a year where it’s below .300, we’ve got another Oliver Perez on our hands. It’s De La Rosa, not Morales, that is the real rotation wild card this year.

by David OhNo on Nov 13, 2008 8:09 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

On the plus side

according to this article, it seems Cinci is in fact still interested in Torrealba and Taveras along with Atkins, which is good to hear.

by Resolution on Nov 13, 2008 9:41 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

Interesting

“FoxSports.com reported that the Reds are interested in three players on the Colorado Rockies: center fielder Willy Taveras, catcher Yorvit Torrealba and third baseman Garrett Atkins. The Reds’ interest in the players is believed to be in that order.”

That is the opposite order I would put them in. Strange.

If Torrealba goes I will mis him. It’s not his fault he isn’t the most talented batter in the world, nor that Hurdle had him as the starter for the first half of 2008. But he was very clutch in 2007, and I love how he pumps his fist on big strikeouts. He’s a fun player to watch.

by Roberbola on Nov 13, 2008 10:44 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Careful

Torrealba compliments don’t generally go well here. FWIW, I agree with you. I definitely don’t like seeing his turn come up in a crucial spot, but I can’t help cheering for the guy. Its probably the same sort of thing that explains Bostonfan’s love for Varitek, etc. Intangibles guys are easy targets…and there’s obvioulsy a lot of justification for it, because at the end of the day production is what matters. But its not like he was Kirt Manwaring. In the brief history of Rox catchers, he’s gotta be near (if not at) the top, even if its only based on a few clutch hits in Rocktober and a ton of visible emotion.

That said, I’m stoked for the CDI era.

by Teekalong on Nov 13, 2008 12:53 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

True that, but I think we've toned down our Torrealba non-love

Since the decision to put him in his proper lace on the team was made. Before the Arizona Fall League, I would have worried that the drop from him to our next best catcher was too far for it to be beneficial to the team to explore trading him. McKenry’s performance (9 HR’s thus far) has me feeling better about that prospect, but I think I’d still rather give Michael some regular season play above A ball before moving Yorvit. I don’t think Edwin Bellorin or anybody else has justified pushing Torrealba out, so if we do trade him, it better not be for junk.

by Rox Girl on Nov 13, 2008 1:15 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Proper lace?

You do need an editor.

"Never Surrender Dreams" - Inscription on J. Michael Straczynski's bench

Purple Row - Covering all your Rockies needs!

by Russ on Nov 13, 2008 8:09 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Jayson Stark...

Says the Rockies are looking at adding Jeremy Affeldt as some lefty relief help. Full article is here, snippet follows:

Holliday is gone. Atkins and Willy Taveras ought to be the next ones out the door. And the just-acquired Huston Street is already on the market. So the rest of the Rockies’ offseason shopping list will depend on what’s left to do after the trading rubble has settled to earth. But they’ll need bullpen arms regardless. And they’ve actively explored bringing Affeldt back to a place where he had success in 2007.

Staying on the sunny side of Blake Street since 1993.

by Franchise26 on Nov 13, 2008 11:10 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

I never thought I'd say this, but

we could use Jeremy Affeldt back. Now, he has to be ’08 Affeldt or no dice.

Something happened to Affeldt last year that needs to be evaluated. Affeldt’s average fastball speed jumped two mph into the 94’s, and the last time the Rockies faced him he was consistently above 97 mph. Best yet, he wasn’t just throwing harder and still not striking batters out, he jumped over 9 per 9 in K’s AND lowered his walk rate to the 2’s. Affeldt had a great rate stat season that came with the natural improvement of a velocity spike.

Ironically, Affeldt ran into some unluckiness in his time in Cinci, with higher BABIP and HR/FB rate. If the Rockies see Affeldt’s velocity spike and command as a real, sustainable improvement, then he’d be a big addition to the bullpen, otherwise, he could be money better spent elsewhere.

by David OhNo on Nov 13, 2008 8:24 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Living in the Springs

it might be pretty fun to watch the OF, especially if we get to see Fowler and Gonzalez in the same OF, which I think we will. I am predicting an OF of Spilly, Stewie, and Hawpe, w/ Smith as the 4th OFer.

by smokinRox on Nov 13, 2008 12:01 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

I'd imagine CarGon is going to start for the Rockies not down in AAA

that is as long as atkins gets traded.

by purplesocks on Nov 13, 2008 12:51 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

I think the key

is Atkins being traded and I’m not so sure that is going to happen anymore. I think the FO knows that will be bad for the image of the club and leave many fans believing that it is a firesale (those that don’t follow as closely as many of us) and ticket sales will be poor. I am hoping for Atkins to be traded, but I am thinking we are not getting a good offer for him. After what we got for Holliday, I don’t know that we would get what we thought for Atkins. It probably is not worth dealing him at this point, unless he can be packaged to get something useful.

After what I have read about CarGon it seems as though he may not be ready for big league pitching. It might be good to start the season w/ him in AAA along w/ Dex. I think the OF above, w/ Atkins, Tulo, Helton, CDI and hopefully O-Dogg in the infield wouldn’t be too bad though.

by smokinRox on Nov 13, 2008 3:07 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

No OF Defense

I hope we aren’t forced to watch an OF of Stewart, Spilly, and Hawpe all year, with Atkins at 3rd. Keeping Atkins makes us worse defensively at 3 positions (3rd, LF, and CF). Atkins’ bat would be nice, but it’s not worth the trade-off on defense and any return we could get from trading GA.

by mattrob on Nov 13, 2008 3:59 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Wins bring fans, not names

If the Rockies win, fans will come. After all, this is Tulo’s team, and if he has a bounce back, fans will flock to him, as he has a better natural attraction than any former or current Rockie.

Atkins just doesn’t make the Rockies a better team. His contribution could easily be replaced by Baker, as both he and Stewart put up better EQA’s last year, and they come at a fraction of the price. It doesn’t make sense defensively, and it doesn’t make sense offensively.

Why jerk Stewart around anymore? He’s the cheaper one that hasn’t rejected a long term deal nor questioned the Rockies’ intentions to his buddies in the media. The Rockies have five more years of Stewart and they’d be wise to start getting that value now, and his value includes his third base defense.

It’s time to turn the page, and I believe they will. If O’Dowd’s posturing in his comments, its not with Street but with Atkins. The team knows he’s already replaced but aren’t getting near the return they were hoping for ( and that return won’t come). Atkins will be dealt, it won’t be for Cueto, it won’t be for Ervin Santana, the Rockies won’t rob anyone, but they will get a fair return on him.

by David OhNo on Nov 13, 2008 8:32 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

You are preaching

to the choir on this. I am not speaking because of what I want to happen or based on what I think a normal fan reaction should be. I am talking about the casual fan that will resfuse to go to Rockies games for awhile based on losing the “2 best hitters” on the team. I think the FO is afraid of that happening, even though as you stated, if they are able to start winning fans will come. Believe it or not, ownership does worry about fan perception. The good owners and FO people do what’s best for the team anyways, but I’m not sure that will happen in this case.

I hope they do move Atkins, assuming they don’t give him away. Especially because I have been on the Stewart bandwagon since we drafted him, and I have not given up on him as many have done. I think he would be very productive playing everyday, and definitely give us something more defensively. However, I think if he’s starting it very well may be in LF this year, no that he should be, but I think he will be. I hope I’m wrong though.

by smokinRox on Nov 13, 2008 10:42 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

I've Always

been on the Stewart Bandwagon. I enjoyed watching him play in Casper shortly after the draft when I went up there to visit family. I have been following what he has done, and the last two years in the Springs have been fun to watch, both offensively and defensively. I also remember that when he was drafted the Rockies brought in different third basemen to hold the position for a while until he was ready. Atkins has been the latest place holder and now STEWART IS READY!

GO ROCKIES!!! JFK

by jrockies on Nov 13, 2008 11:34 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

but if I am reading between the lines correctly then I could see that happening. I would love to see a better defensive OF and some day we will, but I’m not sure it’ll be next year. Frankly, I’m not sure what would be more depressing, terrible D or watching all of our hitters rack up the K’s.

by smokinRox on Nov 13, 2008 4:50 PM MST reply actions 0 recs