Friday Rockpile: Delmon Young for Huston Street?

by Rox Girl on Dec 5, 2008 7:56 AM MST in Rockpile Comment 62 comments

So my dilemma about what to write on Saturday solved itself as yesterday I wound up too busy (I actually had real life company, woot!) to finish the bench/depth projections, so expect that today and the summary piece tomorrow.

HOT STOVE ALERT! HOT STOVE ALERT!

Right now, as a Rockies fan, you'd have to be elated if anything came of this rumor from Ringolsby at the RMN's blog which suggests that the Rockies could match up with the Twins to acquire Young. Since it would be elation on our part, something tells me that the rumor as presently constituted doesn't look likely. If I were a Twin fan, this would be easily laughed off in its current rumor state and hope crushingly mortifying were it to actually happen. However, let there be no doubt that Young's lost a considerable amount of the luster that had him the best prospect in baseball a few short seasons ago.

There's also a blog post about Garrett Atkins, who looks like a decent possibility to start the season with the Rox at this point. This echoes a piece in the Post by Patrick Saunders which quotes O'Dowd in saying that Todd Helton's health is a key factor in the decision. I know deacs and other users are against this keep Atkins for the start of 2009 idea; as he pointed out in Wednesday's Rockpile, there's a pretty clear downward slope to Atkins' production, but I still see a rebound to near 2007 numbers as a very likely scenario with Garrett. It wouldn't take much for a hot start to drive up his value, as right now, he's barely been looked at by clubs that have openings at third. While I know Atkins is not a good bet long term for the Rockies, I just don't envision a scenario where his value could get much lower in the first couple months of 2009 than it is now, while the possibilities of it getting higher are at least pretty decent.

As it stands, all of these recent whispers to the media have been giving us a pretty good idea of O'Dowd's vision for the team to start 2009:

CF Spilborghs
1B Todd Helton
3B Atkins
RF Hawpe
C Chris Iannetta
LF Stewart
SS Tulo
2B Barmes or Baker

That would be your starting eight along with my best approximation of the lineup. Again, this isn't my preferred scenario, but it's just where the media reports seem to be taking us. It's a solid OBP driven offense as long as Helton's healthy. Like I was saying before, this will create the fewest outs in the division, and I think a lot of smart people outside of Colorado are underestimating how much power is actually in the 4-6 slots as well as leading off when they downplay our chances.

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That's a lineup I could support.

Plus if Todd’s back issues aren’t resolved, we’re in good shape with both Stewart and Atkins still on board.
Now if we could just shore up 2nd base. Those two guys are ok buy don’t give us the strength up the middle IMO.

by pedalpusher on Dec 5, 2008 8:25 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

If the back problems continue...

Any chance the Rockies could offer Todd a front office position and shift him from the playing field?

by dds_dave on Dec 5, 2008 1:04 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Todd's back problems

I doubt Todd’s ready to hang it up. He’s probably too competitive to retire yet. And who’s to say, he may be just fine after this latest surgery. That’s why it makes perfect sense to see how things shake out in Tuscon.

by pedalpusher on Dec 5, 2008 3:29 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Delmon would be sweet

Would we then try and resign Fuentes?

by Resolution on Dec 5, 2008 8:27 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

I think we'd probably wait out the market

For whichever prominent reliever had to settle for a one year contract to boost his value for 2010. A couple of decent arms are going to fall into this category, but given Fuentes’ left handedness, I doubt he’s one of them. I think the Rockies will hope that Glendon Rusch or Alan Embree do a suitable job of lefty relief, and then get one of the crestfallen RHP’s to be their added high leverage guy.

I think Greg Smith might still wind up in this role if there’s some progress with our other bottom of the rotation starter candidates or we find a decently valued starter on the market.

by Rox Girl on Dec 5, 2008 9:34 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

"mlb hotstove" tag, use it.

I guess the Denver Post will do anything to increase their page views, as that Saunders piece is an abbreviated version of his blog entry.

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

Purple Row - Covering all your Rockies needs!

by Russ on Dec 5, 2008 8:33 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

I knew there was something I was forgetting, thanks

But at least I got the button in this time.

by Rox Girl on Dec 5, 2008 9:09 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm getting more OK with keeping Atkins

First off, I think Atkins is a very good hitter. Last year he was way off, and is hitting that age, where hitters tend to decline. He’s only fair (at best) at 3rd, but Helton is an immovable contract and coming off back surgery, I’d hate to see that position open up. Having Atkins around is very good insurance.

In fact as much as I hate to see it, I see Helton being a part time, 2-3 starts a week, pinch hitter type when his back allows him to play. What about the other 3-4 games? Atkins is very good insurance, especially if his value coupled with the bad market is so off that he brings little back to the Rockies. It might be cheaper to keep him.

The bullpen would be interesting if Fuentes returns. That’s a team I think could make some waves in the NL West, especially with the Dodgers and their holes, and Juan Pierre and Andrew Jones on the bench.

Thought Clint Hurdle should be fired before it was cool.

by Redhawk on Dec 5, 2008 9:08 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

In an ideal world:

-Todd Helton is relegated to Rusty Staub/Manny Mota status – couple starts a week, defensive replacement for Atkins, and pinch hitter extrordinaire.

-Atkins moves to first, Stewart slides in at third.

-Rockies somehow finangle Delmon away from Minnesota. Young discovers his power potential at Coors and has a few years that resemble that one really good year Jay Payton had in Denver.

I’m not opposed to Street for Delmon if the Rockies are serious about bringing Fuentes back. But if Fuentes leaves, we’re gonna need Huston.

Is that graphic going to signify all the Hot Stove stuff? We need something more eyecatching – I’d suggest a purple version of the dreaded ‘Drudge siren’?

Staying on the sunny side of Blake Street since 1993.
MHCSports - Denver sports analysis from Denver sports fans

by Franchise26 on Dec 5, 2008 9:24 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

Also in an Ideal World

I date a super model who also likes to wear Cheerleader outfits around the house.

The rest of your post I totally agree with…..I think that’s a first

Thought Clint Hurdle should be fired before it was cool.

by Redhawk on Dec 5, 2008 9:31 AM MST up reply actions 1 recs

+1

for the mental image

Aut Vincam Aut Periam

by PioneerSkies on Dec 5, 2008 11:57 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

+2

4/1/1983-11/27/2007 * RIP#21 * The Eternal Redskin

by DbacksSkins on Dec 6, 2008 5:30 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

I think a lot of this is dependent on...

…whether or not Fuentes accepts arbitration by the deadline. If the club knows they have Tito for at least one more year, they can trade Street, thinking Corpas will be ready at least by the end of 2009 to move into the role full time.

I’ve got character concerns about Delmon — isn’t the he dude whose thrown equipment at people, or get some kind of 50 game suspension year before last?

In concept, I agree with using Todd in this manner, but I simply do not see where the Rox will ever have a $16m player in a utility/pinch role. I just don’t see it happening. I’m thinking more he gets 4-5 starts per week.

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

by Mondogarage on Dec 5, 2008 9:38 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Threw a bat

at the Umpire in the International League 3 years ago I think. Got 50 games for it.

Also – do they really need to acquire more outfielders? I think we have a couple “high-ceiling” outfielders in the pipeline that probably deserve a chance.

by Hizilla on Dec 5, 2008 9:56 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

I have to think he's had a dose of humility hit him

After the results of that and his performance last season. Word out of Minnesota has him working hard this offseason to get into playing shape. He seems to be a more mature individual now.

As for OF’s in the pipeline, it would be hard to pass up Young even with our current crop. Adding him to Gonzalez would give us two high impact bats that if they both lived up to their potential would give us one of the best OF’s in the MLB in a couple of seasons, but more likely one of them’s going to flop so you’ve got insurance there.

by Rox Girl on Dec 5, 2008 10:04 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

I don't like it...

It’s trading bullpen depth for an extra bat with character concerns. I like the bats that are projected 1-7, however there is already a concern in the bullpen and losing Fuentes and Street would make it worse.

Welcome back Don Baylor. You're like a cold turkey sandwich, an oldie but a goodie!!

by Charlie77 on Dec 5, 2008 12:41 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree

I don’t see the logic in adding to an overcrowded outfield and depleting a bullpen that is already losing its best pitcher.

Whatever excesses the front office perceives the team has should be traded to shore up the rotation. That is priority 1, and everything else is way down the list in my opinion.

by Roberbola on Dec 5, 2008 1:24 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

An overcrowded OF?

Maybe, but it’s not an overly talented one. We only have one corner with top five potential right now in Gonzalez, and he’s far from a sure bet. Delmon Young would add one more, and suddenly the chances of us actually having an AL worthy lineup are that much better. Huston Street’s a reliever. He’s a good one, but he’s replaceable and the difference in value from him over the next guy down the line for 60 innings a year just isn’t enough to warrant keeping him if you get the chance to upgrade your everyday lineup with an impact bat.

by Rox Girl on Dec 5, 2008 1:36 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Agree completely with RG

this deal is far too good to be true, but we should do it in a second if possible.

by Teekalong on Dec 5, 2008 2:01 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Word

I like Street and I like the Rockies bullpen with Street but I feel (especially since Street has what? 2 years left on his contract?) Delmon has much better long term potential and like Rox Girl said, Street is much more easier to replace. True Delmon doesn’t walk much and an OF of Gonzalez and Delmon could potentially be the greatest disparity between ability and actual output in an outfield but it’s a gamble I’d take…

by Resolution on Dec 5, 2008 2:23 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Replacing Street

Maybe I value Street too highly but I don’t see guys like him falling from trees. Didn’t anybody else watch the playoffs and see what guys like Madson and Balfour and Okajima and Thornton and Marmol mean to their teams? The value of shortening the game (especially with our troubled SP core) would be tremendous, a weapon we haven’t had in recent years, if ever.

by Roberbola on Dec 5, 2008 2:42 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

I don't accept your premise

that Young is an impact bat above and beyond our current OF, at least not this year. 10 homers with a 3/1 k to bb ratio last year? I understand he’s got great tools but that is not an impact bat in my eyes. Haven’t you been preaching the value of OBP to us these last few weeks? And who in the outfield does Young replace?

Right now we have Spilly (123), Hawpe (123), Gonzalez (72), Fowler, Smith (99) and Taveras (56) as viable options for the OF (#s are OPS+ for 2008), although calling Taveras viable is a stretch. How sure are we that Young (102) is likely to have a significantly greater impact than Gonzalez AND Fowler AND Smith. And how do we get ABs for all those guys? I just don’t see it.

Also, do we have any confidence that Hurdle will play the “right” guys to get the maximum benefit from having so many choices in the OF? I am unconvinced, given what I saw in 2008.

Sure, long term Young is cost controlled and is likely to outperform Street over a 5 year period at a much lower cost. I’m not saying I reject this deal in a vacuum. I just think that the resources we have should be used to address the real weaknesses of the team, which are likely to be the rotation and the middle of the bullpen. Isn’t that what you have been telling us for the past 3 weeks, that the lineup is fine and the pitching needs help?

I know that the prospect-hawks are geeked about adding another high-upside guy to the roster but I don’t see an increase in our 2009 playoff changes by doing a Young for Street deal.

by Roberbola on Dec 5, 2008 2:35 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

I could see your points

But I still think there would be a way to do this deal without having a dramatically adverse effect on our 2009 chances, although it would admittedly involve raising the projected payroll to go after another quality relief arm to replace Street.

by Rox Girl on Dec 5, 2008 3:46 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

The only point I can make

Is that overall, I think Delmon Young is a more valuable resource than Street. Having said that, the Rockies benefit a bit more from having Street next year (possibly the year after) than they would having Delmon. You mention that the team should use its resources to address the rotation and the middle of the bullpen. While I agree, I can’t help but feel that Delmon increases the quality/depth/strength of our (trade) resources more than Street.

by Resolution on Dec 5, 2008 3:47 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Nuts

Who would you rather have and whose value at their position is worth more to the team are different questions. The better question is the latter, and the correct answer is a 23 year old outfielder with a world of potential, some of it proven, who in the past year went from TB to MN, quite a culture shock, and caused no problems except not living up to ridiculously high expectations. Huston Street is a reliever, and not even a proven full-time closer, who has an alarming history injury for a 25 year old player. Other teams are over valuing him right now because he’s young and affordable, and has closed some games with success in the past.

If you wanted to argue that he may never fulfull his potential, fine. The projections aren’t all that encouraging for next year, but he’ll only be 23! 23! This is a buy-low on the type of talented position-player the Rockies ritualistically pass over in the draft to pick college pitchers.

And he doesn’t have a sterling reputation? So what? Everyone thought Denny Neagle was the bees knees because he could imitate a train whistle and then he got caught with a prostitute and blew chunks all over the outrageous amount of money the Rockies gave him. Young could eventually be as good as Holliday, and people don’t want him because once when he was 20 he acted like a moron and threw a bat at an umpire in a minor league game?

It’s not like he threw lit fireworks at small children or anything.

by deacs on Dec 5, 2008 2:02 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Fireworks

Should be: It’s not like he threw lit fireworks at small children or anything.

by deacs on Dec 5, 2008 2:04 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

I think it’s much more dependant on whether the Twins sign Casey Blake. They seem pretty intent on bringing in a third baseman and subtracting an outfielder, and if they don’t get Blake that could change their approach on Atkins.

The problem with keeping Atkins into next season or all the way through is not Atkins in 2009, although it’s a risk to say he’ll recover value (especially in his home/road splits). It’s that he could bring back pieces that are vital to the short and long-term health of the Rockies instead of aging on the roster while the core of the team is held back by a lack of starting pitching, leadoff hitting, or a second baseman. All while all of the attributes he brings can be filled by someone younger and cheaper – Stewart.

It’s only December, so there’s plenty of time for things to change. But, if this is any indication:

However, La Velle heard this week that the Rockies asking price for third baseman Garrett Atkins was Kevin Slowey, Denard Span and another prospect. As we’ve written, the Rockies drive a hard bargain, and the Twins have been pessimistic about being able to work a deal with them.

no wonder there’s minimal interest in trading for Atkins. He’s worth a fair amount, but not that much. Maybe if they’d asked for Delmon instead of Span, and Perkins or Blackburn instead of Slowey, they’d have had a deal.

by deacs on Dec 5, 2008 10:05 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

An asking bid could be far from where we would settle.

I don’t know if necessarily blame O’Dowd for starting with something like that to push Minnesota to give two players. The Matt Holliday trade showed the Rockies could get to a reasonable point if the other team’s willing to negotiate. I think like you say, however, this is more about the Twins wanting to see if they can’t get Blake first, and then they’ll come back to other options.

by Rox Girl on Dec 5, 2008 10:08 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Asking

for a high-end major league pitcher and a better than average right fielder is a big, scary initial asking price that tends to scare off opposing GMs and devalue your player by shrinking the market.

Anyway, any deal where a former first overall pick who is still 23 and didn’t perform as awfully as people think (just poor relative to really high expectations) comes back for Street+prospect, maybe Chris Nelson, is an awesome deal for the Rockies.

by deacs on Dec 5, 2008 10:14 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Young

Plus, any opportunity to have more Dugout posts like this is worth a trade alone. And Buchholz could try closing if neither Street nor Fuentes is around next season.

by deacs on Dec 5, 2008 10:21 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Or

This:
http://dugout.progressiveboink.com/archive/jon51.html
or this for you Coen brothers fans:
http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2007/11/29/the-dugout-delmon-young-goes-to-minnesota/#cont
or this for you Jane Austen fans:
http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2008/11/07/jane-austens-the-dugout/#cont

Sorry. I don’t know how to embed links into text.

by denver_sc on Dec 5, 2008 1:32 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

CAUTION

strong language in the links above.

by denver_sc on Dec 5, 2008 1:33 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Absolutely fantastic

Especially the Jane Austen one, which any lady friend would enjoy. Highlight the portion of the text you want to serve as the link, click on the above symbol next to the quote sign and the tree that looks like part of a key chain, and paste the link into the dialogue box (then click or don’t click the option to have readers open the link on a separate page).

by deacs on Dec 5, 2008 2:14 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

That MLB Hotstove graphic

is company brand.

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

Purple Row - Covering all your Rockies needs!

by Russ on Dec 5, 2008 11:27 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Non-Tenders

The deadline to tender contracts to players is next week sometime (Friday maybe?). It doesn’t look like the team offered arbitration to Willy, although I’m not sure where I would find it if they had. Anyone have any guesses as to who ends up being non-tendered? My guesses would be Willy T and Cory Sullivan.

by Hizilla on Dec 5, 2008 10:00 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

I think we tender Willy an offer at this point.

There’s still some interest in him in Chicago, we have options on Carlos Gonzalez and Fowler and could start them in AAA and Taveras on the bench without much of a loss while we wait out a trade. I think the White Sox are hoping for the non-tender so they don’t have to give up anything. I imagine if we show a willingness to keep him, that they’ll actually offer the relief prospect we seem to be after.

by Rox Girl on Dec 5, 2008 10:11 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Sully's a minor league free agent.

Also, the Rockies can’t offer Taveras arbitration in the way other players are offered it; Taveras can choose to go to arbitration (if he’s not non-tendered) with the team since he’s still under the exclusive rights of the Rockies.

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

Purple Row - Covering all your Rockies needs!

by Russ on Dec 5, 2008 11:20 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Is

Helton the new Don Mattingly? Great career dampened and then cut short by back problems?

Also, I still think I might gamble with Street for Delmon. 2010 looks like Corpas, Buchholz, and hopefully Weathers at some point, and I still feel Taveras could net a solid bullpen arm. Delmon’s improved his character and isn’t the same guy he was when he was 18 or whatever and throwing bats.

by Resolution on Dec 5, 2008 11:44 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

Did Mattingly ever play in a World Series?

Sorry, can’t resist a Yankee dig when offered….

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

by Mondogarage on Dec 5, 2008 11:51 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe

Just like Mattingly, the Rockies will win the World Series the season after Helton retires…

by Resolution on Dec 5, 2008 1:25 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Weathers

isnt he out all of next year? Isnt TJ a 1.5 years usually?

by purplesocks on Dec 5, 2008 5:18 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Resolution said 2010, not 2009

So I think he’s saying that the loss of Street would only impact 2009.

by Rox Girl on Dec 5, 2008 5:52 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Is the NL West

really big enough for more than one Del. Young?

(not to be confused with Del Young or Del Young)

Aut Vincam Aut Periam

by PioneerSkies on Dec 5, 2008 11:57 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

Well,

there’s already two NL West Chris Youngs: Chris Black Young and Chris White Young.

4/1/1983-11/27/2007 * RIP#21 * The Eternal Redskin

by DbacksSkins on Dec 6, 2008 12:23 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

So if you combine a Chris Young with a Del Young...

Do you get a Crystal Young?

by Rox Girl on Dec 6, 2008 12:54 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

If you mix her

with visible electromagnetic radiation, can you make Crystal Light?

4/1/1983-11/27/2007 * RIP#21 * The Eternal Redskin

by DbacksSkins on Dec 6, 2008 4:47 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

+1

for the nerdy part of the comment

"People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring." ~Rogers Hornsby
JFK

by jrockies on Dec 6, 2008 6:03 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

::bows::

4/1/1983-11/27/2007 * RIP#21 * The Eternal Redskin

by DbacksSkins on Dec 7, 2008 9:53 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Young

Bring the brat in and let’s see him try anything childish under that Don Baylor glare.

by roxhead on Dec 5, 2008 12:51 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Tulo

Not to change the subject, but I’ve got to imagine Tulo will retake his #2 spot and shift the rest of the order down.

by jefe_13 on Dec 5, 2008 9:33 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

I think eventually this will be the case,

But I don’t know if Hurdle will do it right away. There’s an issue that a Tulo/Helton/Atkins 2-3-4 might shift what power there is in our lineup too far from the table setters leading off as none of those three are big HR threats. So when Tulo does get to bat second, I could see either Atkins or Helton dropping more, particularly if Stewart or Iannetta start well.

by Rox Girl on Dec 5, 2008 9:40 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

I guess as with anything else

It all depends on how healthy Helton is. If he comes back and brings his typical .400+ OBP, as much as I like Tulo batting second, that spot has to belong to Helton. I suppose Tulo is a candidate to lead off. I don’t really like that much as I think it would put too much pressure on Tulo and I’d rather him just let his talent bloom somewhere in the back of the lineup first. It would be pretty interesting to see what Hurdle would do with that lineup should Spilborghs get off to a slow start…

by Resolution on Dec 5, 2008 10:46 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

This is how I would set it up, fwiw

1) Spilly
2) Helton
3) Atkins
4) Hawpe
5) Iannetta
6) Stewart
7) Tulo
8) 2B

by Roberbola on Dec 6, 2008 10:49 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

2B

So much has been made about wanting a good second baseman in the lineup. Why not put Stewart at 2B, CarGon in center and then Spilly can play left? Stewart proved that he could play second fairly well last year and I think he lost the job because he struck out too many times in the first call up, the second time he primarily played third. His defense is not that of Barmes but it looked as good as Baker (another converted 3B).

"People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring." ~Rogers Hornsby
JFK

by jrockies on Dec 6, 2008 6:02 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

It's just a too good to be true fix

So I’m pretty skeptical of it working out. I don’t believe the Rockies themselves believe Stewart’s capable of playing everyday at second, or else they would emphasize that possibility over moving him into left. It’s an interesting idea however, and what defense would be sacrificed on the infield would probably be made up with the upgrades of CarGon over Spilly in center and Spilly over Stewie in left. Flyball pitchers like Hirsh and Smith would like it, GB guys like Cook not so much.

by Rox Girl on Dec 6, 2008 6:48 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

I think

CarGon could benefit from some AAA seasoning so I’m not opposed to him starting down there, though if there was a logical way for him to be on the Rox I’d support it too (as long as he didn’t look completely overmatched)

by Resolution on Dec 6, 2008 10:38 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

I think that's where he winds up barring a clear breakthrough

It seems the team isn’t pressuring him to be ready right away, and are in fact mainly grooming him as Hawpe’s replacement in a few years. I was just speaking to jrockies’ proposed scenario, which seemingly supposes him ready to contribute now.

by Rox Girl on Dec 7, 2008 9:22 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

CarGon could benefit from some AAA seasoning

Think so? He’s already played a total of 56 games in the PCL over the last two seasons.

4/1/1983-11/27/2007 * RIP#21 * The Eternal Redskin

by DbacksSkins on Dec 7, 2008 9:53 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

more even, if you count the playoffs,

But even with that, how can you be AAA seasoned without a full AAA season? I think the main point is that CarGon hasn’t shown he’s quite ready for MLB play yet. Maybe that will change by April, but the guess is that he’ll be going to the Springs for awhile.

by Rox Girl on Dec 8, 2008 4:50 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Naturally, as a Dbacks fan,

I think “AAA seasoning” is overrated with a good enough talent — Justin Upton being the easy example. (Mark Reynolds being the counterexample)

4/1/1983-11/27/2007 * RIP#21 * The Eternal Redskin

by DbacksSkins on Dec 8, 2008 3:06 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Troy Tulowitzki

has only spent 2 games in the PCL, both in 2008. CDI only played 63 games in the PCL, with 47 of those coming in 2006 and the rest when he was demoted in 2007.

"People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring." ~Rogers Hornsby
JFK

by jrockies on Dec 8, 2008 4:32 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

It's never a one size fits all solution, even for good talents

Ian Stewart seems to have matured well as a hitter in AAA. Matt Holliday has done pretty well for himself having skipped it. You could go through lists either way. Roster space is an important issue here too, obviously. I think as long as the Rockies are hanging onto Atkins that the players with options remaining like CarGon are going to push the team to give them an opening.

by Rox Girl on Dec 8, 2008 5:54 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs