Tuesday Morning Rockpile:

by Russ on Jul 22, 2008 8:18 AM MDT in Rockpile

The Rockies are about to finish a deal with Tyler Massey today, their 14th round draft pick. The story indicates his signing bonus will be close to what second rounders are getting this year, but this article from the RMN mentions a $400K signing bonus, just under what second rounders have received. Massey can play either first base or the outfield corners and will report to Casper after signing.

The second link above also mentions that the Yankees and Rays have scouts in town for the series against the Dodgers in order to see Brian Fuentes pitch. They'll want to watch him in close- and late-inning situations, but more games such as last night's and that won't happen.

At least we know Kip Wells won't be in the rotation for long:

"We're looking for somebody to help us solidify the starting rotation," manager Clint Hurdle said before the game.

"(Wells) is going to get the first shot at that. This is not going to be eight, 10 starts to figure it out. This needs to be something you come in, you embrace, you make pitches, you keep the ball down, you throw strikes and we'll go from there."

But then it's likely that anyone the Rockies plug into the rotation for Wells wouldn't be able to do what Hurdle wants him to do. Josh Towers? Franklin Morales again? Jason Hirsh? They're just as likely to fail in the rotation, but there's always Valerio De Los Santos.

Todd Helton says the Rockies don't want him hitting yet because they believe one swing could aggravate his injury again.

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Are the Rocks being honest with Helton?

“the Rockies don’t want him hitting yet because”.....then they would be that much closer to having to put him back in the lineup.

I guarantee they are happy to have the room to play Stewart and Baker over Helton.

by RockyMtnRedbird on Jul 22, 2008 9:14 AM MDT 0 recs

Helton

and his back and his contract are going to be huge issues for this team. I think this team is better off right now with out Helton, and with the line up we have now. If Helton’s contract wasn’t on the books, we could have money to at least talk to Atkins and/or Holliday for a longer term (not that either would take it, even if it was a good and fair offer)

Thought Clint Hurdle should be fired before it was cool.

by Redhawk on Jul 22, 2008 10:01 AM MDT up 0 recs

Defense

I’ll betcha Tulo won’t feel that way the first time he is saddled with an error because Atkins droped one of his rocket throws in the dirt.

by roxhead on Jul 22, 2008 10:36 AM MDT up 0 recs

Too true

As Rockies fans, we’re all too used to Helton making the over-extended out-of-the-dirt grabs over at first. Watching Atkins play a lot… I suppose “smaller” would be a good term…makes me realize just how much Helton can really turn almost any throw into an out.

by oo_nrb on Jul 22, 2008 10:40 AM MDT up 0 recs

Why is no one

talking about Tulo’s 5 for 5 night? Granted, he wasn’t beating the league’s best pitchers, and we still didn’t win, but his swing looked a lot more fluid last night. He didn’t seem to be trying so hard, which I thought was part of the problem in his “2nd try”. I was more than thrilled to see Tulo hitting again, especially in his first day back.

by oo_nrb on Jul 22, 2008 9:42 AM MDT 0 recs

Did you notice

his feet placement? Very difference stance. He went from being very closed with his left foot forward to having his feet aligned. Less movement in his body for his swing. Less movement means smoother swing, and better eye on the ball. I was glad to see the adjustment as I hated his closed stance. It’s hard to hit from that stance, especially with any kind of power or authority.

Now if he could start pitching every 5th day

Thought Clint Hurdle should be fired before it was cool.

by Redhawk on Jul 22, 2008 9:58 AM MDT up 0 recs

Thanks

for the more analytical viewpoint. I could tell that something was different, but I couldn’t put my finger on it.

by oo_nrb on Jul 22, 2008 10:10 AM MDT up 0 recs

Tulo

Pretty cool. It was only the second time this season that Tulo had 3 or more hits in a game (opening day being the other)

If Tulo can hit .291 (67 for 230) for the rest of the season, he could raise his BA to .251. Since he hit .292 last year, I think this is possible. .251 wouldn’t look great on a baseball card, but it would look a lot better than .150.

Any news on Andy Burns? Do we have any shot of signing him?

by kosmo99 on Jul 22, 2008 10:01 AM MDT up 0 recs

Rockies Press Release on Massey

http://colorado.rockies.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20080722&content_id=3173493&vkey=pr_col&fext=.jsp&c_id=col

On Tulo:
Anyone thinks this new stance might affect his power? He seems to be swinging less with his body and more with his arms…

by Kaneda on Jul 22, 2008 2:04 PM MDT 0 recs

Well

He could hardly have less power than he’s had previously this year. Right now, I’m just thrilled to see the guy back in the lineup and getting some hits. I think his power will return once he’s really settled in again.

Put me out of my misery. Please!

by rockhead on Jul 22, 2008 3:25 PM MDT up 0 recs

“We’re looking for somebody to help us solidify the starting rotation,” manager Clint Hurdle said before the game.

I think it may be time to maybe, just possibly, look outside the organization for said help, Clint. Even if Francis miraculously returns to 2007 form when he returns, we’re still short at least 1 decent pitcher from having a rotation that could help us get back to .500 by season’s end.

I found it both amusing and telling that both Krieger and Kizla had columns this morning on the pitching gamble that failed miserably this year.

Put me out of my misery. Please!

by rockhead on Jul 22, 2008 3:23 PM MDT 0 recs

Kiszla

seems too focused on trying to bring in last October in everything he’s written this season.

"Keep your head down, and inch toward daylight." - Blade of Tyshalle

Purple Row - Covering all your Rockies needs!

by Russ on Jul 22, 2008 3:36 PM MDT up 0 recs

Surely there must be a #5 starter somehwere toiling in long relief or AAA?

that we could get without giving up huge piece. What about Reyes for the Cards?

Second half run?

by moomacher on Jul 22, 2008 3:44 PM MDT up 0 recs

Go figure

He’s that way with every sport he writes about. One point of reference is all he seems to need to justify his opinion.

Put me out of my misery. Please!

by rockhead on Jul 22, 2008 4:13 PM MDT up 0 recs

D-Backs

Have acquired Jon Rauch from Washington for 2B prospect Emilio Bonifacio according to mlbtraderumors.com.

by Clockwork Orange on Jul 22, 2008 3:54 PM MDT 0 recs

I don't think that's the return

that O Dowd is hoping to get for Fuentes. Hopefully this doesn’t set a precedent.

Second half run?

by moomacher on Jul 22, 2008 4:00 PM MDT up 0 recs

Well

at least it reduces the supply, with still days to go until the deadline.

by holly96 on Jul 22, 2008 4:02 PM MDT up 0 recs

I've read some comments on MLBTR

where people are suggesting as much, but really it can’t for a couple of reasons:

One, Fuentes is a superior talent to Rauch with a history of high leverage pitching.

Two, there is a price floor on Fuentes for the equivalency of two top 50 picks in next year’s draft.

Three, as holly suggests, the supply is lessened, and the Diamondbacks were not a known suitor.

The bottom line is point two, somebody has to make the Rockies an offer that would be superior to taking draft picks. If they do, you have to almost take it and avoid the risk of arbitration, as Fuentes accepting would cost north of 8 million next year.

Somebody will make said offer. It won’t be clay Buchholz or Philip Hughes, but it will certainly be worth while. I don’t think the Rauch trade changes anything. It’s not O’Dowd’s fault that Bowden (yet again) has made a poor deal.

by David OhNo on Jul 22, 2008 5:00 PM MDT up 0 recs