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Wednesday Morning Rockpile:

Li_l_rox_girl_tiny by Rox Girl on in News

In our losing, it's easy to see all the issues that will make it very difficult for this team to come back into contention in 2008 -such as how we're going to hide the evidence in regards to the disposal of Mark Redman - but it's also easy to lose sight of the promising developments that should help us make another improbable rebound this season, or at the very least compete in 2009, if it comes to that.

Let's start with Chris Iannetta. After last night, Chris -despite starting half the games of those ahead of him- is already the sixth best catcher in the majors in offensive value added according to Baseball Prospectus' VORP stat, and the rate at which he's providing that value is sixth best overall in the NL among players with over 50 AB's. Now, the guy just ahead of him in that latter category is the similarly small sampled Ronny Cedeno, so maybe it would be wise if we held off all of our glee until CDI has doubled his plate appearances, but it's starting to look like last season was the fluke in Chris' career, not the norm.

While we're talking about the rate at which offensive value is added, for the Rockies the top five (20 PA minimum, so Q and Herrera don't qualify yet) look like this:

  1. Chris Iannetta .688
  2. Scott Podsednik .535
  3. Ryan Spilborghs .393
  4. Matt Holliday .347
  5. Clint Barmes .316

Seriously, what does it say when four of our top five offensive performers are -or at least were at the start of the season- bench players? Meanwhile -in keeping with the backwards theme- five of our six most valuable pitchers have come from the bullpen. But I was going to keep this post forward looking, so the good news is that Francis and Jimenez are improving and while Francis has already turned to a plus, Jimenez should swing that way by his next start if he keeps taking steps forward. The linked Tracy Ringolsby article says that Jason Hirsh is throwing bullpen sessions and the hope is he'll be activated by early June. Greg Reynolds is progressing and should be ready for a call-up soon as well.

All we need is to put the bench guys in, rack up some runs and win a few 12 to 10 De La Rosa and Redman starts in May, and we'll be all set. Simple.

 

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Francis

His amazing run last season started on May 7 against the Cardinals. That’s all I have to say.

by Tom (RFTN) on May 7, 2008 10:53 AM MDT reply reply   0 recs

Thinking positive

I like it.

I’d like to see Spillborghs get a start today as well.

by moomacher on May 7, 2008 11:03 AM MDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Reynolds call-up?

Greg Reynolds just got pulled from the Sky Sox game after 2 (scoreless) innings. No apparent injury and the radio announcer speculated he may be on his way to the big leagues. Can anyone confirm?

by NorCal Fan on May 7, 2008 11:47 AM MDT reply reply   0 recs

BTW Ian Stewart

hit two three run jacks in that game…good to see

by moomacher on May 7, 2008 12:44 PM MDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

announcer just said they are “assuming” Reynolds has been called up.
So when do we or where do we find out??

by cdavis2488 on May 7, 2008 1:12 PM MDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

may not happen until right before

Reynolds next start. I assume, that the Rockies will DFA Mark Redman. Then bring up an extra hitter or bullpen arm, then make another move when Reynolds would pitch.

There are also some trade rumors floating around the Rockies. I pray Reynolds isn’t thrown into any package deal.

2nd base....anyone? Who hasn't played there yet? Holliday @ 2nd...Spillbourghs in LF

by Redhawk on May 7, 2008 1:18 PM MDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

any more info on this would be greatly appreciated.

Should I just keep watching here- or somewhere else?

by cdavis2488 on May 7, 2008 1:25 PM MDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

The Purple Row

is usually right on top of this stuff. Check back here as much as you’d like. There’s no charge for our Rockies nerdiness/obsession. Many here are happy to share.

2nd base....anyone? Who hasn't played there yet? Holliday @ 2nd...Spillbourghs in LF

by Redhawk on May 7, 2008 1:28 PM MDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

He's still listed on the Sky Sox roster

Unlike last week, when Quintanilla and Herrera were both removed from the roster before we heard that they had been called up (though at a point when we kind of assumed they would be.)

Redman’s next scheduled start is Sunday in San Diego; I can’t really think of a better place for a pitcher to make his major league debut.

by Tom (RFTN) on May 7, 2008 1:38 PM MDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Especially Reynolds

Being that he’s a California kid and all.

This is probably too premature for Reynolds – he was progressing but he wasn’t going Tim Lincecum on the PCL or anything. However, desperate times something something desperate measures. (I forget how the rest of that saying goes.)

One thing’s for sure – Redman sounded after the game last night like he knew he’d just pitched in his last game for this organization.

Staying on the sunny side of Blake Street since 1993.

by Franchise26 on May 7, 2008 1:40 PM MDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Northern CA, though

Reynolds grew up right by San Francisco and went to Stanford.

by Tom (RFTN) on May 7, 2008 1:43 PM MDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

or would Reynolds

get the start over De La Rosa tomorrow? He only threw 23 pitches during his two innings…

“desperate times call for desperate measures”

Aut Vincam Aut Periam

by PioneerSkies on May 7, 2008 1:42 PM MDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Eh

De la Rosa is young enough that I’m willing to give him another start to see if he really has anything, unlike Redman, who’s 34 and hasn’t even been a league-average starting pitcher since 2003. Even in his “All-Star” season of 2006 (All-Star only in the sense that they had to take somebody from the Royals) he had an ERA+ of 82. De la Rosa was pretty bad on the whole last year, but he seemed to alternate starts where he was completely awful with ones where he looked brilliant.

by Tom (RFTN) on May 7, 2008 1:47 PM MDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Well on the Rockies

web site under Probable Pitchers…..Sunday’s starter (Redman’s spot) is listed as “To Be Announced”

2nd base....anyone? Who hasn't played there yet? Holliday @ 2nd...Spillbourghs in LF

by Redhawk on May 7, 2008 1:48 PM MDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Makes sense.

All evidence is that the Rockies have (finally) concluded what the other 29 MLB teams have: that Mark Redman has no business starting for a major league team.

Any word on when Jason Hirsh is expected back?

by Tom (RFTN) on May 7, 2008 1:55 PM MDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

He's

throwing bull pen sessions. Will do so to live batters some time this week. If all goes well, a rehab assignment, and possibly be back in June

2nd base....anyone? Who hasn't played there yet? Holliday @ 2nd...Spillbourghs in LF

by Redhawk on May 7, 2008 1:56 PM MDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Another thought

Brandon Hynick would be pitching on regular rest on Sunday. I’m just sayin’.

by Tom (RFTN) on May 7, 2008 1:57 PM MDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

if any of you hear anything, please post here as I will be checking back often.
Greg is my nephew, and I YELL at his brothers CONSTANTLY about letting me know what is going on- yet I am usually the one to tell them things.

Hey NorthernCA- is this one of Greg’s brothers??
just curious

by cdavis2488 on May 7, 2008 1:56 PM MDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Are you referring to me?

If you are, the answer would be a definite “no.” I’m 5’9” and live in Tennessee.

by Tom (RFTN) on May 7, 2008 1:57 PM MDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

I'd be

buying tickets and planing on going to San Diego on Sunday if I were you.

2nd base....anyone? Who hasn't played there yet? Holliday @ 2nd...Spillbourghs in LF

by Redhawk on May 7, 2008 1:58 PM MDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

I meant Nor Cal Fan.
Just joined today.

I will be watching and we may drive down if he is called up.
(I live in Nor Cal)

thanks all, I will keep my eye out here, and if I hear anything, I will let you all know.

by cdavis2488 on May 7, 2008 2:01 PM MDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Welcome

Exciting times for the family.

Even if he isn’t called up now, it is only a matter of time.

by MADness on May 7, 2008 2:52 PM MDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Thanks so much. We are really excited.

by cdavis2488 on May 7, 2008 5:46 PM MDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

another good site is

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/

but it covers all 30 MLB teams. and it won’t let you know if Reynolds was merely called up.

Aut Vincam Aut Periam

by PioneerSkies on May 7, 2008 1:37 PM MDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Side Tracked

The other thing this lousy stretch has done is side track us from the upcoming draft. Anyone have good Web Sites (free) that has insight into who is available this year.

FWIW – I read an article the other day that says the Davis kid we drafted last year is doing will at U of Tenn.

TGFPR!!

by jlot10 on May 7, 2008 11:51 AM MDT reply reply   0 recs

Kentrail

Last I heard (read) Kentrail was doing extremely well.

Good for him, bad for us (having not signed him).

by MADness on May 7, 2008 2:52 PM MDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Rumors and Rumors of Rumors

well, the first month of the season is over, and teams are addressing their short comings, and the first fun wave of trade rumors are starting to heat up.

One we already know about is the Rockies are looking for staring pitching. Fogg, Julian Tavares, Blanton and Harden from the A’s (Harden also had a good rehab start, and would be available Sunday which is Redman’s next scheduled start) and Kevin Millwood of the Texas Rangers. My take: HARDEN! even with his history of injuries, if the price is cheap enough I like his up side.

Another Rockies rumor: The Padres are shopping for CF. They have apparently offered Kalalli Greene for Felix Pie (who Jayson Nix could out hit). The Padres have “inquired” about CF to the Rockies (according to the Rockies web site) but didn’t mention who they would offer. I would assume the Rockies would be looking at SP…but I don’t know who the Padres would have extra that would help us…or Iguchi, who would require someone better then Cory sullivan. Would Willie T for Tad be a fair trade? Would it help the Rockies? What about Pods? Or….gulp Spillbourghs?

(I love trade rumors)

2nd base....anyone? Who hasn't played there yet? Holliday @ 2nd...Spillbourghs in LF

by Redhawk on May 7, 2008 1:16 PM MDT reply reply   0 recs

On the trade rumors...

Harden seems highly unlikely. Why would the A’s want to part with him when it looks like they’re contenders this season? Too many pitchers for too few spots or something?

I never think trading within the division is all that smart. I hate to say it, but with Seth Smith being blocked and all he could be a good trade piece, though I’m not sure he can play CF. Maybe he could be part of a trade package for a starting pitcher.

by Tom (RFTN) on May 7, 2008 1:42 PM MDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Also the thing with Harden...

Is that you throw the dice every time he pitches. He gets injured about every other start even if he does have the best stuff in the Majors.
Personally, I really like the guy and would REALLY like to see him successful. If that means it CO…that would be really cool. But I don’t think he’s on the market.

www.notthisday.com ....coming September 26th and 27th at the Pinnacle Event Center, Denver.

by Squeaky on May 7, 2008 1:52 PM MDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Harden

makes more sense for a team with a pretty solid rotation. You give up some B/C level prospect, and hope his arm holds together down the stretch. I’m not sure we need the uncertainty.

by moomacher on May 7, 2008 1:54 PM MDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Harden

has the type of stuff, that make many people over look the uncertainty.

2nd base....anyone? Who hasn't played there yet? Holliday @ 2nd...Spillbourghs in LF

by Redhawk on May 7, 2008 2:00 PM MDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

yep that's it

too many young starting pitchers. Nice problem to have if you’re and A’s FO or fan. Their current Rotation:

J. Blanton The Ace and vet of the staff
D. Eveland 3.05 ERA 3 w- 2 l
C. Gaudin 3.75 ERA only 10 Walks with 28ks in 36 IPs
J. Duchscherer 2.45 ERA 18 Ks in 22 IP
G. Smith 2.54 ERA 31 K’s in 39 IP

Harden becomes extra pretty quickly. The A’s surprisingly are right now, 1st in the AL wild card for what that’s worth

2nd base....anyone? Who hasn't played there yet? Holliday @ 2nd...Spillbourghs in LF

by Redhawk on May 7, 2008 1:54 PM MDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Duchscherer could be moved to the bullpen

Since, you know, that’s where he had spent his entire career up until this season.

by Tom (RFTN) on May 7, 2008 1:59 PM MDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

any trade with the A's

I would assume would have to include Stewart. Their big hole is 3rd base at the moment. Or young load up the organization prospects, which I’m not sure I’d do if I was O’dowd given Harden’s injury issues.

but if Harden pitches for a month of starts, then his price will go up even more, more then I’d assume the Rockies could pay

2nd base....anyone? Who hasn't played there yet? Holliday @ 2nd...Spillbourghs in LF

by Redhawk on May 7, 2008 2:08 PM MDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

I'm gonna say no

I’d much rather trade Atkins than Stewart.

by Tom (RFTN) on May 7, 2008 2:10 PM MDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

I'd much rather have Atkins

over the last 3 years, only David Wright, and A-Rod have more homers and rbi’s.

Now…..if Atkins walks when he’s a free agent….....which is a huge issue on the Rockies table separate from needing short term help. How good IS Stewart? and is Holliday and or Atkins staying or going?

2nd base....anyone? Who hasn't played there yet? Holliday @ 2nd...Spillbourghs in LF

by Redhawk on May 7, 2008 2:13 PM MDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

If Atkins stays...

There’s a better chance Holliday will also be interested in staying. He’s very clearly said that what happens with Garrett will affect his decision. I would much rather have Atkins and Holliday than just Stewart.

www.notthisday.com ....coming September 26th and 27th at the Pinnacle Event Center, Denver.

by Squeaky on May 7, 2008 2:16 PM MDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Me Too

and I know this is old idea. But I’d rather have Atkins at 1st, Stewart at 3rd and Holliday in LF. I love Helton as much as the next guy….but his stats are really, really falling. Not having a power hitter at first, really hurts this club.

2nd base....anyone? Who hasn't played there yet? Holliday @ 2nd...Spillbourghs in LF

by Redhawk on May 7, 2008 2:18 PM MDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

I agree...

But I’m a little leery about the Atkins/ Holliday situation. They are clearly really really close, and it would be worth keeping Atkins in order to help Holliday stick around. IMO.

www.notthisday.com ....coming September 26th and 27th at the Pinnacle Event Center, Denver.

by Squeaky on May 7, 2008 2:21 PM MDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

I think Atkins

is the most underrated player in major league baseball. I’d go so far as to turn your statement around. I’t would be worth keeping Holliday in order to help Atkins stick around.

Atkins hitting numbers are just amazing especially when compared to other 3rd basemen. Atkins is so underrated, even Rockies fans fail to realize what we have there.

2nd base....anyone? Who hasn't played there yet? Holliday @ 2nd...Spillbourghs in LF

by Redhawk on May 7, 2008 2:26 PM MDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

I agree...

I think it’s better to keep both of them in order to help the other stick around. :)
I think it would be incredibly foolish to let Atkins go on the ‘possibility’ that Stewart gets as good as he’s touted to be. We know how valuable Atkins is, and we should not make that mistake.

www.notthisday.com ....coming September 26th and 27th at the Pinnacle Event Center, Denver.

by Squeaky on May 7, 2008 2:28 PM MDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Last 3 years

I’m much more concerned with the NEXT 3 years, though. Stewart is a pretty clear improvement over Atkins defensively, for one thing, and I think in three years he will be a better hitter as well.

by Tom (RFTN) on May 7, 2008 2:38 PM MDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Eh, I don't know

I love Stewart’s defensive potential (he still needs to cut back on the errors, as he gets to many more balls than Atkins does, but doesn’t always retrieve them cleanly) but Atkins has been the third-best hitter at his position consistently, and if not exactly Brooks Robinson over there, usually isn’t a glaring hole. I can agree with your concerns that his defense will decline, but Stewart is already kind of reaching the edge of the time where he can still be considered a stud prospect. It’s been five years since we drafted him and while the potential to be a solid player is no doubt there, I’m no longer thinking world-beating superstar.

We're all going to die!

by Silverblood on May 7, 2008 2:45 PM MDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

No offense but,

2007 VORP among 3B:
A-Rod – 96.6
Wright -81.1
Jones – 76.0
Cabrera – 71.4
Braun – 57.2
Lowell – 46.5
Ramirez – 43.9
Figgins – 36.2
Atkins – 34.8

In 2006 he was legitimately one of the top three offensive third basemen, but in 2005 he was the thirteenth best offensive third baseman by VORP. Considering his defense is sketchy at best, I think you guys are overrating him too much because of his one great season.

by dahlian on May 7, 2008 6:03 PM MDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

I point out

that 2 of your list aren’t even 3rd basemen any more.

and the fact remains of 3rd basemen over the last 3 years only David Wright, and Alex Rodriguez have more RBI’s and HRs then Atkins

2nd base....anyone? Who hasn't played there yet? Holliday @ 2nd...Spillbourghs in LF

by Redhawk on May 7, 2008 6:11 PM MDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

If Home Run and RBI

are really the measures you want to use to evaluate offensive production, then there’s nothing left to be gained from this conversation.

As a fan of a divisional rival, I hope that the Rockies front office shares your evaluation.

by dahlian on May 7, 2008 6:14 PM MDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Wait

The Dbacks DON’T have the market cornered on suspect-fielding, power-hitting third baseman?

Slap me silly and paint me purple, I had no idea.

We're all going to die!

by Silverblood on May 7, 2008 6:16 PM MDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

You're right.

I’m not trying to say that Reynolds is a better hitter or fielder than Atkins, because he isn’t. I’m just that you guys are vastly overrating Atkins’ value and that if the Rockies have a good 3Bman waiting in the wings they would be best served trying to deal him for pitching.

by dahlian on May 7, 2008 6:18 PM MDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

the problem

is we know what we have in Atkins and it’s great. What we don’t know is what we have in the wings, though it looks great or pretty dang good too. Throw in Atkins is coming up on his free agency period and it’s complicated

2nd base....anyone? Who hasn't played there yet? Holliday @ 2nd...Spillbourghs in LF

by Redhawk on May 7, 2008 6:21 PM MDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Well, those are 2 very good offensive categories

Atkins is a great hitter. My point still stands, that he is one of the most underrated players in all of major league baseball.

2nd base....anyone? Who hasn't played there yet? Holliday @ 2nd...Spillbourghs in LF

by Redhawk on May 7, 2008 6:16 PM MDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Atkins had an off-year last season

and still hit .301/23/111. I’d say that’s not too bad.

We're all going to die!

by Silverblood on May 7, 2008 6:17 PM MDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

How can you call that an off year?

Looking at his career numbers, 2006 is the outlier – not 2005 and 2007.

by dahlian on May 7, 2008 6:19 PM MDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

2005 was his first year

as a full time big leaguer. 03 & 04 were cup of coffee/fill in for Vinny Castilla years. It was a sold rookie campaign, but I wouldn’t base his career off those numbers.

2nd base....anyone? Who hasn't played there yet? Holliday @ 2nd...Spillbourghs in LF

by Redhawk on May 7, 2008 6:23 PM MDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

They're moving Duchscherer to the bullpen

To make room for Harden. The A’s do what everyone else does – they turn a blind eye to Harden’s injuries because he’s just so good. If there’s just a chance that he’ll be able to start half of the games he’s supposed to in 2008, the A’s will hold onto him.

www.notthisday.com ....coming September 26th and 27th at the Pinnacle Event Center, Denver.

by Squeaky on May 7, 2008 2:09 PM MDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

I'd also add

I’m always a little suspect of the A’s pitchers. That park, makes their numbers look better then they are. Like Phillies hitters the park is a big issue.

2nd base....anyone? Who hasn't played there yet? Holliday @ 2nd...Spillbourghs in LF

by Redhawk on May 7, 2008 2:11 PM MDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Honestly

I don’t think Harden’s stats are inflated by the park. I’ve followed him since he came up and he has electric stuff no matter where he pitches, because he has an insane ability to make hitters swing and miss. I’m not an expert and I don’t remember a lot of his starts, but it seems like he’s very much a strikeout pitcher. Which is why he does well in a lot of places.

www.notthisday.com ....coming September 26th and 27th at the Pinnacle Event Center, Denver.

by Squeaky on May 7, 2008 2:12 PM MDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

I was actually thinking

of the other guys on the A’s staff. Any one of the A’s staff numbers if they were on the Rockies would make them the greatest thing to happen to Baseball from a Rockies fan perspective, since cold beer.

Seriously, if it’s not the park…....I want to hire some A’s pitching coaches

2nd base....anyone? Who hasn't played there yet? Holliday @ 2nd...Spillbourghs in LF

by Redhawk on May 7, 2008 2:16 PM MDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

But

Let’s NOT hire the A’s medical staff…
:)

www.notthisday.com ....coming September 26th and 27th at the Pinnacle Event Center, Denver.

by Squeaky on May 7, 2008 2:22 PM MDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Wait a second...

In this same thread, we’re calling Atkins the third-best hitter at his position, but ripping on park effects elsewhere?

Atkins is a solid hitter – damn solid, in fact – but if trading Atkins lands a starting pitcher better than what we’re trotting out there, by all means do it.

I suspect we’re not going to get Holliday to say anyway (and I’m entirely OK with that).

by rosenthal on May 7, 2008 5:41 PM MDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Uh

Re your comment about ripping on park effects elsewhere:

Atkins is hitting .333/4/15 on the road this year, vs. 300/2/7 at home.

We're all going to die!

by Silverblood on May 7, 2008 6:01 PM MDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

n/t

Sample size.

by rosenthal on May 7, 2008 6:10 PM MDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

2005-2007

Atkins’ road OPS is 156 points lower than his home OPS.

by dahlian on May 7, 2008 6:20 PM MDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Yes, so

Since we like Atkins and think he’s a good hitter, we ergo have overrated him by not dealing him while Stewart takes five years to develop and no longer looks like an immediately improved option. Atkins is a good hitter. He is not a world-beater. But he is a good hitter and a serviceable enough third baseman. We do not think he is Brooks Robinson. But what we do get from him is immediately and quantifiably valuable, while Stewart, despite his promise, is an unknown commodity that hasn’t looked all that great in his first tastes of MLB action (although that of course could change).

We are fans of our guys around here. That shouldn’t be a surprise. ‘m an Atkins fan and I’m open to dealing him IF the right trade comes around. But our point being… none of us trust Dealin’ Dan to mak