Tuesday Morning Rockpile: Clearer Pictures

by Russ on Mar 25, 2008 6:53 AM MDT in Rockpile

Now that he is officially the second baseman for the Rockies, Jayson Nix will need to step up and work with Tulo in the infield. We all want to see him be part of the 6-4-3 combination that worked so well on double plays last season. Nix is taking the right approach with his mate up the middle:

"I expect that Troy is going to be able to teach me a lot, especially since last year was his first in the big leagues," Nix said.

This probably isn't much of a surprise to anyone here, but Troy's a decent ballplayer. The same can't be said for Kip Wells, who doesn't understand why he's been demoted to the bullpen. It's a demotion for Wells, but the move spares the Rockies from being punished when he starts a game. Though, is there any hope that he won't completely tank in the bullpen either? Because, with only one spot left in the 'pen the question is, do the Rockies keep lefty Micah Bowie or righty Ramon Ramirez? Seems to be unfair punishment for the rest of the 'pen to have Wells in there.

Franklin Morales will pitch today against the White Sox, and depending on how he pitches we may hear an official announcement on the final two spots in the rotation. Really, it appears that the only rotation question is between Morales and Towers. Redman has the other spot locked up.

Miscellaneous:

- Tracy Ringolsby breaks down the payroll for your 2008 Colorado Rockies.

- Rox Girl answered Five Questions for the Hardball Times.

- Darren Rovell is running an NCAA-style tournament for the best Minor League Logo. The Modesto Nuts are the only remaining #1 seed left in the contest. Today's voting should start shortly after this goes up, so vote for the Modesto Nuts.

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Good for Nix

though today is a mere formality after two weeks of decisive play, it's still a tremendous bounce back for Nix that shouldn't be taken for granted.

His career left for dead one season ago, Nix has done all the right things to put himself back in the picture, and now receives the honor of an opening day start.

This should nonetheless be an exciting day for the Nix family, he's earned this opportunity, and it's always nice to see a prospect bounce back and make good on his promising early career.

by David OhNo on Mar 25, 2008 7:28 AM MDT 0 recs

I agree

Regardless about how you feel Jayson's going to do this season, just making the MLB is a huge and significant accomplishment. It's a vindication of sorts for our scouts and player development people as well. Another aspect is that it's now a near absolute certainty that the Matt Harrington debacle damaged his own future more than it did that of the Rockies. That's such a fascinating cautionary tale that now has a new twist.

by Rox Girl on Mar 25, 2008 8:33 AM MDT up 0 recs

Final bullpen spot

Ramirez, Bowie, and Speier have all pitched well enough to earn a spot in the pen. It's unfortunate that someone like Kip Wells has to take one spot just because of his $3 million salary.

I think we have to keep Ram for the final spot in the pen. He's out of options and he would be picked up by another team if we tried to pass him through waivers. If he can regain his form from his rookie year in 06, he'd be a very solid pitcher to have in the pen.

"Corpas ready, first pitch, checkswing roller...Tulowitzki has it, throws to first...BALLGAME! WORLD SERIES TIME IN COLORADO!"

by avsfan4ever33 on Mar 25, 2008 7:53 AM MDT 0 recs

Wells

I will go out on a limb here and say that I think he will work out in the pen. I haven't watched him pitch much over the last couple years, nor have I really looked at his box scores from the last few years. Given that disclaimer, I think the big knock on him has been that he gets beat up the 2nd or 3rd time through the order, but seems to pitch pretty decently the first time guys see him. If this turns out to be the case, the bullpen could be perfect for him.
That being said I don't feel any more comfortable about the last 2 starting spots with him out of the mix. I think its clear that Frankie needs more time in Colorado Springs, and as a Braves fan as well I can tell you what Redman did as a starter in April and May last year - it wasn't pretty.
Here's to hoping Morales has a good outing today.

by Hizilla on Mar 25, 2008 9:08 AM MDT 0 recs

Wells at different times through opponents batting order

Over the last couple of seasons he's got some really weird splits in this regard, in 2006 the exact opposite of what you say was true, as batters hit .352/.439/.577 the first time through the lineup but only .279/.347/.302 if he was somehow able to make it to the third time through. Last season he was better the second time around. Over his career, he's pretty close to normal (relative to his overall performance) as far as NL pitchers go the first couple of times through the order, with the third time around being a bit worse than typical. I'm hoping the switch to the pen reverses the more recent trend as you suggest.

by Rox Girl on Mar 25, 2008 9:27 AM MDT up 0 recs

Interesting

I hope that he works out, especially for the kind of investment they have in him. I'm awfully excited for opening day and the season, but the pitching makes me worry.

by Hizilla on Mar 25, 2008 9:47 AM MDT up 0 recs

Re: Wells

A friend of mine who's a Cardinals fan said that Wells was actually okay last year after he got moved to the 'pen. He was just such a disaster as a starter that nobody noticed.

by Tom (RFTN) on Mar 25, 2008 12:27 PM MDT up 0 recs

His '07 numbers, I guess, support that.

2.31 ERA over 23 IP (8 appearances), 17 H, 7 BB, 23 K. His career numbers as a reliever are similar. Still not inspired . . .

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

by Russ on Mar 25, 2008 12:34 PM MDT up 0 recs

No value

I hope he's effective out there by the trees and the fountains...but I'd be shocked if anyone felt like he was worth $3mil no matter how effective he is.

by Hizilla on Mar 25, 2008 2:12 PM MDT up 0 recs

A couple of other links

SG at Replacement Level Yankees Weblog annually simulates the season 1000 times each using a variety of projections. This season, the results have the NL West as a real toss-up, with all four contenders' chances at 20% or better, while San Fran's are at 2%. The Rockies in particular see a huge discrepancy between the six systems used, with Diamond Mind saying we're one of two NL teams (along with the Mets) over the 90 win mark, while CHONE and ZiPS have us a few games under .500. Obviously I'm hoping Diamond Mind's right in this instance.

A bit more on the lighter side of things, The Good Phight thinks the Rockies band equivalent is the Flaming Lips. I thought some of the other ideas (Astros, Giants) were pretty hilarious.

by Rox Girl on Mar 25, 2008 9:10 AM MDT 0 recs

I read that

post at The Good Phight yesterday and wanted to link to, but I forgot. The only song by the Flaming Lips that I've heard is "The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song," which I like. The Pirates as Guns N' Roses is spot on.

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

by Russ on Mar 25, 2008 9:20 AM MDT up 0 recs

Completely off-topic, but...

I wasn't very familiar with much of The Flaming Lips' music until I saw them at Red Rocks last fall, as part of the Monolith Festival. I'll say this much, it was one of most entertaining visual spectacles I have every seen on stage, ever. (And I've been to a ton of shows)

If the Good Phight post is based in any part on the entertainment value of our beloved Rox, the comparison is apt, indeed.

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

by Mondogarage on Mar 25, 2008 12:43 PM MDT up 0 recs

Jerry Crasnick

came up with campaign slogans for every MLB team this year. The Rockies: "Every Day's a Holliday."

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

by Russ on Mar 25, 2008 1:02 PM MDT up 0 recs

Typical of Crasnick...

...to nick a slogan that was on T-shirts sold at Coors Field last season. ;-)

I think a better slogan is, 2008 National League West Champions.

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

by Mondogarage on Mar 25, 2008 2:09 PM MDT up 0 recs

Iannetta

I really like Iannetta and want him to be the opening day starter, but I have a feeling that Torrealba will be the opening day starter. Anybody else feel this way?

Die-hard Rockies fan. On the bandwagon since 7/6/93. Not giving up my seat. EVER! rockiesfan4ever reffered you

by rockiesfan4ever on Mar 25, 2008 11:48 AM MDT 0 recs

Yeah

I'm hopeful that Iannetta will get to play more than once or, if he's lucky, twice a week, but Yorvit will no doubt get the nod for Opening day, and will be the primary starter.

Anyone else hoping we see Buchholz a bit more this season as well?

As for Kip Wells, I think it's ridiculous for him to be surprised not to be a starter. He wasn't good last year, wasn't good this spring, and he was NEVER guaranteed a spot in the rotation. That's why it was called a "competition" for the spot. I don't think he really has any ground to stand on for complaining he didn't get the job. (In case you can't tell, his remarks really rankled with me.)

by Squeaky on Mar 25, 2008 12:10 PM MDT up 0 recs

On Wells

Is it too late to trade him to a Northern League team for a couple cases of baseballs, a la Mark Wohlers?

I'd rather eat the $3.1m than have him eat space on our roster. Seriously, that's the one offseason acquisition I could just never get my head around.

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

by Mondogarage on Mar 25, 2008 12:45 PM MDT up 0 recs

Steven Register news

Troy Renck notes that the Mets have placed Rule 5 pick Steven Register on waivers. Renck expects Register to be claimed by another team though.

by malakian on Mar 25, 2008 1:37 PM MDT 0 recs

I don't know how that can happen.

I thought Rule 5 draft picks had to be offered back to their original team before the claiming team could send them to the minors.

by Tom (RFTN) on Mar 25, 2008 1:44 PM MDT up 0 recs

Another team won't send Register to the minors...

Register must successfully clear waivers before he can be offered back to the Rockies. The same Rule 5 rules (must be on the major league roster) apply for any team that claims Register.

Adam Rubin of the Daily News believes that the Mets would attempt to work out a trade for Register if he clears waivers and is returned to the Rockies.

by malakian on Mar 25, 2008 1:56 PM MDT up 0 recs

The thing about the Wells signing that really irratates me...

Is that we could have had Fogg back for about the same price. Maybe he misread the free agent market, or maybe he just thought that a cool nickname like the dragon slayer would help him get that ridiculous contract he wanted. Either way, I would fire my agent if I was him.

By the time Fogg came back down to earth, the Rockies had already wasted his money on Wells. The way our rotation looks at this point of spring, it would be nice to have a guy like Fogg back there. At least you know you have a chance to win 75% of the games he pitches. We also could have let Morales start the season in the Springs, and not have had to worry about keepin an inferior pitcher around (Wells) over two superior relievers (Bowie and Rameriez).

If the Monforts are as commited to winning as they say they are, they should open up thier wallets and eat the contract. Admit a mistake was made, move on and learn from it. Please don't make us fans suffer Kip Wells blowing games out of the bullpen.

Hurry up and be March 31st already.

by jcd823 on Mar 25, 2008 1:55 PM MDT 0 recs

75%

Where do you get that number? I seem to remember looking into this and seeing that the Rockies won about half of his starts.

Having said that, 50% isn't bad for a #5 and I agree that money would have been much better spent on Fogg than Wells.

by DenverBears on Mar 26, 2008 7:52 AM MDT up 0 recs

I think the Monforts are eating the contract

Seriously, does anyone else here even see Kippers getting into games that aren't 4th inning blowouts?

I truly hope Fogg fired his agent. I enjoyed his presence on the Rockies, his teammates loved him in the clubhouse, he was always a real gamer, but never more than a 4th starter at best -- and anyone thinking he was going to get 3 years at $7m per was simply delusional.

From articles around the time of his signing, I suspect he was pretty much kept in the dark by his agent, as the Rox were keen to sign him for a deal that turned out to be quite a bit more than he actually got.

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

by Mondogarage on Mar 25, 2008 2:13 PM MDT 0 recs