Retooling for the 09 Season

by wolf213 on Sep 10, 2008 11:15 PM MDT

With this season pretty much done, I think its about time to get a sneak peak into what the offseason might entitle and what this team might look like next year.

Here are some big questions going into the offseason.

1) What is the deal with Helton? Is he healthy? If he is healthy, can he be productive, or has he turned into Sean Casey?

2) Will one of Atkins or Holliday be traded? How about both? Any Long term Contracts for one?

3) Is Fowler ready?

4) What about the Rotation? Can Cook repeat? Can Jiminez build upon this year? Will Francis Rebound? Can one or more of Morales, Hirsh, Reynolds, Hynick be productive?

5) Do we resign Fuentes? If not can Corpas be effective as a closer again? Was Weathers a waste of a number one pick?

6) Second base?

Here is what I am thinking in respect to these questions.

1) Helton is probably 3 years away from Retirement, and I think their is a small chance that he retires this offseason. Small being less then 3% If he comes back and is healthy, I still think he is capable of being a .800 OPS hitter with a good walk rate and moderate power numbers.... a line like .280/.410/.430 is not out of the question I don't think. While thats terrible for a guy who makes 16 million a year, he can still be quite useful if used correctly. He's not a middle of the order type hitter anymore, but he can be useful in the number 2 hole or even the number 6 hole.

2) Atkins is a goner given the development of Ian Stewart and the fact that Helton is probably going to be back. I do think the team will make a run at resigning Holliday however and I can see something getting done. However I am not holding my breath.

3) No, Fowler is close but I don't think he's ready yet. I would like to see if Smith can handle CF full time, and I would also like to see Spilly get some playing time as well. By mid-season if Smith is holding his own, he can then become trade bait and bring in something useful, while Fowler slides in CF... just an idea.

4) I have long liked Cook and thought he was very under rated before this season. I think he is going to be effective next year, and a top three of Cook, Francis and Jiminez looks fairly solid. De La Rosa is ok as a 4, but I have my doubts that one of Hirsh, Morales, or Reynolds is ready. This is were the Monforts need to open up their pocket books a bit and get something better then Wells, Towers, et all.

5) Corpas will be fine, I think he was getting killed by BABIP earlier in the year and he should be fine. Take your draft picks and run.

6) Your guess is as good as mine. Baker and Barmes are nice little utility guys, but are not full time players. I think Ellis might cost to much... but I have a plan.

Here is what I would do if I was the GM.

The Angels have a guy who I thought was very unappreciated and could easily be thrown in along with a pitching prospect in return for Atkins. Something along the lines of

Atkins

for

M. Izturis
and
Walden or O'Sullivan

If we have to we can throw in a Barmes type.

Allow Spilly and Smith the Platoon in CF while Fowler spends time in AAA. (I am assuming the projections for Fowler aren't wonderful yet but feel free to correct me)

Trade Willy T, Baker, and Barmes for whoever wants them.

Sign the following Free Agents to something reasonable.

Russell Branyan - Could cover if Stewart slumps and could spell Helton when he needs rest... Branyan has always been a favorite of mine and could be a huge threat off the bench.

Rocco Baldelli - If he comes cheap (which given health concernse he very well could) he could be a nice buy low sell high type of player.

or

Cory Patterson - Again if he come cheap he becomes a nice little 4th outfielder with some pop in his bat and a good late inning defensive sub.

One of:

Oliver Perez, Bartolo Colon, Derek Lowe, Ryan Dempster, Freddy Garcia, Jon Garland

There are guys on this list I would rather have then others, but this is where we need to spend some money and get a solid number 4 type starter. If we stop wasting money on the likes of Vizciano and Wells, we might be closer to affording one of these guys then one would think. Anyways, this is how I envision the opening day roster after my tweaks.

1. Spilly/Smith CF
2. Helton 1b
3. Holliday LF
4. Hawpe RF
5. Stewart 3b
6. Tulo SS
7. Ianetta C
8. Izturis 2b
9. Pitcher

Branyan CIF
Herrera UT
Omar UT
Baldelli or Patterson OF
Smith/Spilly OF
Yorvit C

1. Cook
2. Francis
3. Ubaldo
4. One of the pitchers listed above
5. De La Rosa

CL: Corpas
SU: Bucholtz
SU: Vizciano
MR: Register
MR: Weathers
LR: Morrillo

So how many wins does that team project to? I think something like this isn't far out of the realm of possibility either. I would love to hear others thoughts and opinions on this as well.

Eat. Drink. Be Merry. But the above FanPost does not necessarily reflect the attitudes, opinions, or views of Purple Row's staff (unless, of course, it's written by the staff [and even then, it still might not]).

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Comments

A couple of things...

I like the idea of taking a chance on Baldelli; Branyan wouldn’t be a terrible idea either. Also, a guy like Maicer Izturis would probably fit in very well with this team. Personally though, I think we could wrestle Adenhart or Weaver and a guy like Izturis away in a deal for Atkins and a mid-level prospect – we could have done it earlier this year (although that’s when Atkins was on fire).

As far as guys to stay away from, Cory Patterson and Oliver Perez come to mind first (and, I wish we could rid ourselves of Viz, but that’s neither here nor there…) – Patterson is a bum of epic proportions and if we need a late-innings defensive replacement, why not just keep Dex in the bigs?; Oliver Perez would not be a good idea, mostly because of the fact that we already have two enigmas in our rotation in Ubaldo and JDLR.

Unfortunately, we may not get much for Baker and Barmes (although I could potentially see someone biting on Bake). Might as well keep Clint around as a utility sub. I like him in that role much more than a guy like Herrera.

Todd is a Brian Giles/Sean Casey hybrid at this point in his career – he can still hit the ball hard (and go to the opposite field), but only for base hits and a healthy amount of doubles. Plus, he’ll walk all night long. He has, however, no power or speed, and he doesn’t drive in runs. Sliding Helton into the two-hole is something this team should have done 3 years ago, but I digress…

Finally, I’m all for making sure that Weathers gets to, and stays in, the big leagues next year. A guy with his stuff and ability should be in the minors right now (especially considering some of the pieces of work we have in our pen at the moment), let alone next year.

If the ownership group agonized over this season as much as all of us, then they’ll realize that they need to get out and get a good back of the rotation starter and hopefully will take the padlock off of their wallets. Otherwise, we’re stuck with 30-something year-old has-beens and never-was’ bouncing between Denver and the Springs. I for one can’t handle seeing that again.

Rock rock 'til you drop!

by Bryan Kilpatrick on Sep 11, 2008 6:59 AM MDT reply actions

Dex...

I agree with pretty much everything except one point… If we have Dex up, then he should be getting a majority of the playing time. I would hate to stunt his growth by having him on the bench for an extended period of time when he could be getting everyday reps in the Springs.

You know you want to check out Matt's Korea blog: http://koreamatt.wordpress.com

by MattTheRock on Sep 11, 2008 7:15 AM MDT up reply actions

I am w/ you

on this. Dex needs to be playing everyday, because there is still some development that needs to be done. If he is not the starting CFer than he should be in the Springs getting regular AB’s. I don’t know about the situation w/ Sully, and although I am not a big Sully fan, I would not mind seeing him as a defensive replacement in the OF.

I like the bullpen though, a few more power arms, I don’t think thats a bad thing, although command and BB’s would be an issue we would have to deal w/. I am also still intrgued by Clarke, and I know he has been injury prone, but I would like to see what he could do if healthy.

I think I am in the minority on this, and I can understand why considering the disaster that was 2008, but I would like to see Morales and Reynolds given another chance to fill the #5 spot in the ’09 rotation. I would not go out and desperately look for a new starter for the rotation. The only caveat to this would be if we could pull another young arm, ie Adenhart to compete for a spot, or if we could get a “real #1” in a trade, ie Halladay. A #2 or #3 would not be worth going after in my book, it would not be enough of an upgrade to be worth the money or prospects spent on it. A #1, like Halladay is different though, because it then moves Cook to #2 and Jimenez to #3, and Francis to #4, and whoever at #5, now that makes us very dangerous.

by smokinRox on Sep 11, 2008 10:24 AM MDT up reply actions

If we keep Dex in the bigs and start him...

then we will need to trade Holliday and acquire (in the same deal or a separate one) a right handed-hitting fourth outfielder with decent pop who kills lefties (somebody like Jayson Werth maybe? I’m not sure of his contract situation but that’s a guy who I could see fitting in with the team). That way we have Spilly, Dex, and Hawpe starting in the outfield with Werth (or someone comparable) having the ability to step in and spell the corners (and in Werth’s case, CF too). We’d have Seth Smith on the bench as well.

If we’re able to acquire a ML-ready second baseman and a prospect potential top of the rotation starter or a current veteran middle of the rotation starter, then I like our chances provided the team executes.

Rock rock 'til you drop!

by Bryan Kilpatrick on Sep 11, 2008 1:58 PM MDT up reply actions

Reynolds, Morales, Hirsh

I think there is a distinction between “giving” these guys another chance and allowing them to “earn” another chance, and I strongly favor the latter. We can’t have the last rotation spot* shake out like our 2b competition this year, where the least-worst guy in spring (with the added bonus of no major experience so he was an “upside” guy) won the job. I expect (hope?) that these three guys, plus some of the other comers in the minors, will bang the door down and force management to let them play…but they shouldn’t be playing unless/until that occurs.

*This assumes JDLR is in the rotation, which while certainly appears promising right now, is hardly a sure thing.

by Teekalong on Sep 11, 2008 2:51 PM MDT up reply actions

SHOULDN'T...

Weathers SHOULDN’T be in the minors. My bad.

Rock rock 'til you drop!

by Bryan Kilpatrick on Sep 11, 2008 1:52 PM MDT up reply actions

I like the suggestions here

My list of priorities is straightforward and short:

1. A proven, good starting pitcher (#3 or better)
2. A decision re the Atkins/Stewart/Helton logjam (obviously that includes Stewart staying on the team and playing every day)

*Not sure about Holliday, I’d like to see some plan in place this offseason but I’m confident there won’t be one. I guess I figure he’ll be traded during the season.

The first two must be taken care of immediately, and the rest of the pieces will fall into place after that. And if they fall as you outline above, I’m good with that…except your proposed bullpen scares me to death, with one guy (viz) who might be toast and 3 rookies. Oh well, I’m sure I’ll be horrified by the bullpen anyway so it might as well be by big upside guys.

by Teekalong on Sep 11, 2008 10:13 AM MDT reply actions

We won't get Dempster

and if we do he’s gonna come expensive

Is it 2007 all over again?

by rockiesfan4ever on Sep 11, 2008 2:18 PM MDT reply actions

My Plan....

I would actually look to move Holiday and Atkins this offseason. I would look for something big in return for Matty like Roy Halladay and two high level prospects for Atkins. I would look to sign Orlando Hudson at 2B. He could hit in the lead off position and plays a terrific 2 bag on defense. If he stays healthy, he would be cheap. I, too, would go get Rocco. Guys and gals, this guy was a steroid guy, and that is why he got ill a la Giambi. He has recovered from that now, and should be fine from here on out. Sign him to a four year deal and put him in LF. I start Spilly in Center next season. This team would have a payroll around 70-75 million and would be locked in a for a bit…..It would be a lot easier to convince Halladay to stay put when his FA hits at a lower price due to Denver.

by LW33 on Sep 11, 2008 3:14 PM MDT reply actions

Rocco

1 year with a team option for another year. Four years is praying that he doesn’t get injured again, and with his history is a gigantic risk.

You know you want to check out Matt's Korea blog: http://koreamatt.wordpress.com

by MattTheRock on Sep 11, 2008 9:33 PM MDT up reply actions

Do or die time in '09

Said it before here—2009 is Year #10 for DOD and that’s time enough even for this big O’Dowd supporter. It’s prevailing winning record/contention in 2009 or goodbye Dan—and Hurdle would naturally go if O’Dowd goes.

So I see 2009 with a greater sense of urgency to win right from the get go—none of this floundering 10-15 games below .500 in April or May. This means no season-opening experimenting with the Jayson Nix types starting at 2B, or Fowler starting in CF, or washed-up vets in back rotation spots—too much of a risk. Treat April like September and keep it that way throughout the season—just win now.

by DeepPurple on Sep 11, 2008 4:16 PM MDT reply actions

I agree

I’ve been patient with O’Dowd through the rebuild given what he had to work with, but that rebuild should be over. Winning in 2009 would mean two out of the last three seasons were successful and that the team is indeed on the right track, losing would indicate 2007 was a fluke and that us kool-aid drinkers were seriously duped and 2008 is more of the norm than the exception. Like you I’ll go further and say that we should know by the end of May how things are shaking out. I believe that there’s a good foundation here, but I need to see some concrete results on building a successful franchise off of that.

by Rox Girl on Sep 11, 2008 4:34 PM MDT up reply actions

There’s frustration among the front office, coaches, players and fans. The Rockies suffered a swift fall this season, going from National League champs to a losing record. Dan O’Dowd and Hurdle both have one more season on their contracts. It’s impossible to overstate the importance of next year. As I said in my Sunday column, it’s validate or terminate time. If the Rockies succeed next year, the building-from-within philosophy makes sense, has deeper roots. If they fail, 2007 stands alone as a fluke, requiring necessary leadership changes. -Troy Renck; Denver Post 9-17-08

by DeepPurple on Sep 17, 2008 3:59 PM MDT reply actions