Friday Morning Rockpile:

by Russ Oates on Feb 8, 2008 8:45 AM MST in Rockpile

The Arizona Daily Star looks at images of Tucson from years gone by, and today the 1993 Rockies are the subject of the feature (if you're asked to register, just click here to view the picture). Boxes and boxes of baseball equipment. It's only seven days and a few hours until pitchers and catchers report. Can't the time go by any faster? Thomas Harding's Spring Training quick hits might help.

Tracy Ringolsby has this piece on Tulo, focusing on his leadership and intangibles. And as the "Tulo-meter" continues to rise, even critic Jay Sherman won't be able to give Tulo a zero on the Shermometer.

In his weekly Friday entry, Ringolsby answers a question on Chris Nelson and offers a possible rotation for the Sky Sox this season.

A few weeks ago, David Pinto looked at the Rockies' offense for 2008 using the Lineup Analysis tool, and here there was discussion on the merits of this projection. Well, whatever you think about the projections Pinto's been running for the entire league, the one for the Giants is more than likely in line with what you're already thinking about that lineup: bad.

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Don't forget Ramon...

In yesterday's Around the Horn, Thomas Harding makes the point that Ramon Ramirez could be a factor in this year's bullpen. After 61 games in 2006 he was 4-3 with a 3.46 ERA, then last year he was 2-2 with an 8.31 ERA in 22 games before being demoted and sufferring a forearm injury.

Ramirez was a horse for the Rocks in '06 as Fuentes' setup man. He's not that old either, younger than Jeff Francis, older than Jason Hirsch. With only one full year in the Bigs he could have a good season, if he can stay healthy.

There's only one Rocktober!!

by Charlie77 on Feb 8, 2008 11:29 AM MST reply actions

Jamey Carroll

Does anyone know if we have received our PTBNL from the Indians?

TGFPR!!

by jlot10 on Feb 8, 2008 12:22 PM MST reply actions

I was

sooo going to bring this up. I was thinking about this on the way in this morning. When do we get our PTBNL? O'Dowd got a list from the Tribe, right? Is he going to go throught Spring Training and evaluate prospects or does this thing somehow hinge on Carroll's performance?

by Since1993 on Feb 8, 2008 12:25 PM MST up reply actions

In a trade

involving a PTBNL, the teams have six months to agree on the player.

"Don't give up the ship!" - Capt. James Lawrence

by Russ Oates on Feb 8, 2008 12:41 PM MST up reply actions

4 AA AND AAA PITCHERS ARE.......

going to be evaluated in the Spring and the Rox get to pick one.

92 in 08

by 86 wins in 07 on Feb 8, 2008 3:35 PM MST up reply actions

Hmm, this is similar to what I was told

But with the teams reversed, that Cleveland has to pick one of the four AA/AAA pitchers, so I'm going to have to go back and try and find which way it is now.

by Rox Girl on Feb 8, 2008 3:50 PM MST up reply actions

Hynick at Colorado Springs

I found Ringolsby's refernce to Brandon Hynick in AAA to be interesting. I was expecting him to start in Tulsa and perhaps have a mid season promotion. That may be what Tracy means.

Even so, what a meteoric rise that would mean for a 8th round draft pick!! From Casper in June of 2006 to Colorado Springs in July of 2008.

Just 347 miles by car, but a worlds away in baseball.

Go Brandon!!

by Drewan on Feb 8, 2008 12:58 PM MST reply actions

There was another

mention about Hynick being in the Springs rotation in '08 earlier in the off season. Don't remember which paper it was in, but back then I took it to mean a mid-season promotion to the Springs in '08.

"Don't give up the ship!" - Capt. James Lawrence

by Russ Oates on Feb 8, 2008 1:05 PM MST up reply actions

Marc Gustafson's line has been

That Hynick has a decent chance to start in Colorado Springs with a good Spring and he's been fairly consistent with statements like this since April. One thing I found interesting in Renck's article yesterday was that Bob Apodaca actually brought up Hynick as a "flexible" option for the Rockies this year, which to me implies that like Reynolds he's on the second tier right now and the team wants him close in case they need help right away.

by Rox Girl on Feb 8, 2008 1:29 PM MST up reply actions

sorry, since October

Obviously, in April nobody knew exactly what Hynick was capable of.

by Rox Girl on Feb 8, 2008 1:41 PM MST up reply actions

Even a bit earlier than that.

From August, this is what I was thinking of earlier:

Weathers isn't the only player Gustafson thinks will be on the move next season. He sees potential pitching help for the Triple-A Colorado Springs Sky Sox from right-hander Brandon Hynick.

"Don't give up the ship!" - Capt. James Lawrence

by Russ Oates on Feb 8, 2008 1:56 PM MST up reply actions

I knew it had been a little while

Thanks for finding the link.

by Rox Girl on Feb 8, 2008 2:51 PM MST up reply actions

what type of pitcher is hynick?

is he a u-ball type or a francis type? or a fuentes type?

At least the broncos dont totally suck

by roxfan4life on Feb 8, 2008 2:08 PM MST reply actions

Hynick

won't light up radar guns since his fastball mainly sits around 89 MPH. He also has a curveball, splitter, and changeup. It's all about him finding his spots and being able to command his pitches. So, you could say he's a "Francis-type" pitcher.

Had another injury hit the pitching staff, Hynick may have received the call.

"Don't give up the ship!" - Capt. James Lawrence

by Russ Oates on Feb 8, 2008 2:18 PM MST up reply actions

just adding a little to what Russ wrote

It's important to keep our expectations with pitchers like Hynick realistic, as every system seems to have their guy racking up numbers in the minors who they think will turn out like Greg Maddux and overcome less than stellar raw stuff with precision command. For this reason, I'm uncomfortable with even a Francis comparison as Brandon's ceiling really shouldn't be considered that high. Because of his ability and confidence in using a fairly extensive repertoire of average pitches, I like Hynick's chances better than most at actually surpassing our expectations if we limit them to the modest successes of similar pitchers, but part of that involves getting those expectations right in the first place. I'd look at starters like Bronson Arroyo as the peak projection or relievers like Brandon Lyon (he should get more velocity with pen work) for Hynick right now.

by Rox Girl on Feb 8, 2008 3:05 PM MST up reply actions

Jorge Julio

Do we get a draft pick for him since he signed with Cleveland? Wasn't he a Type B? Do Minor League deals not count?

by Since1993 on Feb 8, 2008 2:46 PM MST reply actions

Not sure

about a minor league deal and compensation, but the Rockies declined to offer Julio arbitration, eliminating any chance of draft compensation.

"Don't give up the ship!" - Capt. James Lawrence

by Russ Oates on Feb 8, 2008 2:49 PM MST up reply actions

We didn't offer arbitration

because the team didn't want to take the risk of paying a couple of million for a low leverage reliever. Therefore, no compensation.

by Rox Girl on Feb 8, 2008 2:50 PM MST up reply actions

D'oh!

Forgot about that! Too bad but likely a wise move by the Rox. He's a hard thrower, though and they usually manage to find work.

by Since1993 on Feb 10, 2008 12:32 AM MST up reply actions

Back to Carroll question

I see where the Official Site doesn't have the trade listed on the transactions page. It is on the Tribe site for 12/8.

Should we expect an announcement on the PTBNL by the end of spring training or is there an outside chance we will wait until the end of six months and be able to take someone drafted in 2007 (Day 1 of 2007 draft was June 7).

TGFPR!!

by jlot10 on Feb 8, 2008 3:14 PM MST reply actions

Froms statements made by Mark Shapiro

at the time of the trade, I came away with the impression that he wanted to be able to evaluate the potential returnees closely this Spring in Training Camp. I'd expect the deal to be completed some time in March.

by Rox Girl on Feb 8, 2008 3:45 PM MST up reply actions

I'M CONFUSED....IF CLEV. GOT CARROLL....

why would they get to pick the PTBNL and not the Rox? My info indicates that the Rox will pick someone after SPR. TR.

92 in 08

by 86 wins in 07 on Feb 8, 2008 4:21 PM MST reply actions

I was told the Rockies and Indians agreed on

four pitchers, any of whom the Rockies would be satisfied with as a return and that it's now up to Cleveland to pick which one they feel they can most afford to lose to complete the deal pending a Rockies physical. This jived with the accounts out of Cleveland which had Shapiro saying he had time to make the decision. I don't know what decision he'd have to make if the Rockies picked.

I could have gotten my info confused, it happens, but as to why this would be the case that Cleveland gets to pick the PTBNL, I think it comes down to the fact that they're also footing the $2 million bill for Carroll's contract this season.

by Rox Girl on Feb 8, 2008 5:16 PM MST up reply actions

I TOO COULD BE MISTAKEN BUT I .....

was told that scouts would follow Clev. in the Spring and pick one but it could be after the Indians have withdrawn one.

92 in 08

by 86 wins in 07 on Feb 8, 2008 6:07 PM MST reply actions

So...

What kind of player should we expect to get??

TGFPR!!

by jlot10 on Feb 8, 2008 9:27 PM MST reply actions

99.3 MPH; PAINTS THE BLACK.......

and throws left and right handed.

92 in 08

by 86 wins in 07 on Feb 9, 2008 8:54 AM MST reply actions

Is that all? The Rockies really flubbed this trade

Sheesh, all you get for Jamey Carroll is an ambidextrous guy who can't even crack triple digits? I don't know what O'Dowd was thinking.

No, my guess is that it will wind up being one of the seven pitchers here not named Chuck Lofgren. I'm also guessing that it will be a better pitcher than Indians fans are expecting.

by Rox Girl on Feb 9, 2008 10:09 AM MST up reply actions

Good

The lack of prospect acquisition via trade has been something that has been bothering me a bit.

Perhaps they are just being patient but if they want to really have a shot at consistently competing they are going to have to constantly be on the look-out for ways to turn existing assets (whether big league players who have replacements ready or minor league players who are blocked) in prospects that help restock the system.

Can't have enough decent young arms (especially when you never know which ones will actually make it).

by MADness on Feb 9, 2008 3:05 PM MST up reply actions