Thursday Rockpile: No gold in them thar gloves, Torrealba hints he might want to come back

by Rox Girl on Nov 12, 2009 8:55 AM MST in Rockpile

So for the fifth straight season, NL coaches and managers thought that the Rockies didn't really have any defenders who were the best at their craft. I get the feeling that alien anthropologists thousands of years from now will get the impression that all of the Rockies success in 2009 came because of work off the field of play, and we won solely by the shrewd maneuverings of our manager and GM. The big question mark for the Rockies seems to be with Troy Tulowitzki, who had both the fielding and hitting resume one typically associates with Gold Glove winners, but I would suggest that in 2010, should Carlos Gonzalez play a full season like he did for the Rockies since June, we might see two incumbent Phillies knocked off their perches.

Troy Renck also makes note of a post he originally put in the DP's All Things Rockies blog last night that when Yorvit Torrealba declined the Rockies two year offer, his option had not yet been declined. Renck then goes into the odd nuances of what this meant for Torrealba, but the implied upshot seems to be that Yorvit wants to keep that two year contract option open, but it may be off the table from the Rockies end. I'm not blaming either party here, both are trying to play the current collective bargaining system to their maximum benefit which is fine, we'll see how this plays out.

Pilgrims to the Rockies new Spring Training facility at Salt River will enjoy plenty of shade in the grandstands as architects continue to improve our quality of life by design. Wunderbar!

As for notes around the division, I guess the most prominent could be that the Giants are looking to re-sign a more svelte Brad Penny, according to Buster Olney. Penny would seemingly replace Randy Johnson in the Giants old, wise, oft injured and dangerous to the opponent pitcher category. He should be a bit of an upgrade in that role, in fact. I probably have to reassess my opinions of how shallow their rotation is should that signing come about.

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MLBTR reports the Rays might be interested in Matsui

…if they move Burrell. Anyone up for a Burrell for Hawpe swap? Burrell will make $9M in 2010.

"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart." - A. Bartlett Giamatti

by Rawktober on Nov 12, 2009 9:04 AM MST reply actions

Burrell is a gimp

i know he is righty but he can’t play the field lol

we seem to have gotten over that HURDLE

thanks for a great season Rockies!

LETS GO WINGS!

by TuLoRocks2008 on Nov 12, 2009 9:08 AM MST up reply actions

UZR

Burrell (2008) -4.3
Hawpe (2009) -21.3

"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart." - A. Bartlett Giamatti

by Rawktober on Nov 12, 2009 9:13 AM MST up reply actions

i don't care what the numbers say

Burrell can not really play the field and i would believe that mostly everybody would agree with me…that’s another reason why philly got rid of him because he is an awful fielder and also why would the rockies bring on a bigger contract than Hawpe’s when we have all our OF’rs for cheap and we can use that money elsewhere.

we seem to have gotten over that HURDLE

thanks for a great season Rockies!

LETS GO WINGS!

by TuLoRocks2008 on Nov 12, 2009 11:30 AM MST up reply actions

Burrell couldn't hit either, this year

Which is why the Rays want to dump him.

They need a right-handed DH, but Burrell can’t get the job done at the plate.

So why the heck would any NL team want him in the OF?

by 6161Maris on Nov 12, 2009 11:48 AM MST up reply actions

Because defense is overvalued

says an industry official here:

http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/ken-davidoff-s-baseball-insider-1.1278117/imperfections-on-the-market-starting-pat-burrell-and-curtis-granderson-1.1582164

By the way, there’s reason to believe the Rays might be willing to provide some salary relief.

And I’m not saying we should do this, just interested in hearing what others think.

"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart." - A. Bartlett Giamatti

by Rawktober on Nov 12, 2009 12:26 PM MST up reply actions

Burrell played only 9 innings..

in the outfield this year. He caught 2 balls. It’s tough to rate his defense based on those stats. His lack of stats in the AL is a bigger indicator of his lack of defensive ability.

Donate to charity by shopping for Purple Row Merchandise at:
Purple Row Cares

by Charlie77 on Nov 12, 2009 1:25 PM MST up reply actions

exactly my point

why would we want that bum

we seem to have gotten over that HURDLE

thanks for a great season Rockies!

LETS GO WINGS!

by TuLoRocks2008 on Nov 12, 2009 2:43 PM MST up reply actions

I would stay far away from Pat Burrell

I wonder if Bud Selig will give the Yankees a receipt with their World Series purchase

by RhodeIslandRoxfan on Nov 12, 2009 2:21 PM MST up reply actions

The concept of alien anthropologists studying baseball tickles me

by Muzia on Nov 12, 2009 9:06 AM MST reply actions

Or are the alien anthropologists

already tickling you?

NEVER SURRENDER DREAMS

Purple Row - Covering all your Rockies needs!

by Russ Oates on Nov 12, 2009 9:13 AM MST up reply actions

I had chalked it up to something I ate

but now it warrants closer inspection.

by Muzia on Nov 12, 2009 9:15 AM MST up reply actions

tulo, barmes and helton

Aren’t the only rockies with a good argument for a gold glove. If rmn doesn’t write about it soon, I will :)

"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein

by Andrew T. Fisher on Nov 12, 2009 9:12 AM MST via mobile reply actions

Cook over Wainwright?

I would have given him that.

by Rox Girl on Nov 12, 2009 9:17 AM MST up reply actions

gah, I'm going to, I just wanted to keep the rotation in SOME semblance of order

Hope got in my eyes

by Andrew Martin on Nov 12, 2009 9:36 AM MST up reply actions

I think

the rotation ended in October. And it’s really always been a post when you want to type of thing.

NEVER SURRENDER DREAMS

Purple Row - Covering all your Rockies needs!

by Russ Oates on Nov 12, 2009 9:38 AM MST up reply actions

Free-for-all

The oxen are slow, but the earth is patient.

by rockieprogress on Nov 12, 2009 9:40 AM MST up reply actions

the rotation ended in October

More than one…sigh…

by Muzia on Nov 12, 2009 9:41 AM MST up reply actions

I meant Hammel #5, DLR #4, etc

which means I need to find something interesting to write about Jason Marquis

Hope got in my eyes

by Andrew Martin on Nov 12, 2009 9:53 AM MST up reply actions

You so do.

Like yesterday

"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein

by Andrew T. Fisher on Nov 12, 2009 10:23 AM MST up reply actions

well I was doing the hot stove coverage yesterday

Hope got in my eyes

by Andrew Martin on Nov 12, 2009 2:16 PM MST up reply actions

I know :)

"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein

by Andrew T. Fisher on Nov 12, 2009 3:24 PM MST up reply actions

GAW LAY OFF

Hope got in my eyes

by Andrew Martin on Nov 12, 2009 3:37 PM MST up reply actions

2B UZR

Hudson -3.3
Barmes 7.3

Good call, voters.

by alacy9513 on Nov 12, 2009 10:11 AM MST reply actions

Hudson was on a playoff team.

by Muzia on Nov 12, 2009 10:31 AM MST up reply actions

Hudson was as much on a playoff team as Hawpe was, so to speak

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

by Mondogarage on Nov 12, 2009 10:36 AM MST up reply actions

uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuhhhh

"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein

by Andrew T. Fisher on Nov 12, 2009 11:06 AM MST up reply actions

That's my line

"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein

by Andrew T. Fisher on Nov 12, 2009 11:15 AM MST up reply actions

Keep up with the class next time, PF.

Remember, 90% of what I say is sarcastic and to be immediately discarded.

You have your fancy numbers, I have this as my only area of expertise.

by Muzia on Nov 12, 2009 11:25 AM MST up reply actions

Also crappy photoshop jobs.

by Muzia on Nov 12, 2009 11:26 AM MST up reply actions

I vote for more photoshop!

Donate to charity by shopping for Purple Row Merchandise at:
Purple Row Cares

by Charlie77 on Nov 12, 2009 1:29 PM MST up reply actions

Work always gets in the way

I will have to familiarize myself with the capabilities of pixl.com

by Muzia on Nov 12, 2009 1:40 PM MST up reply actions

Apparently you need to keep up

uuuuuuuuuuuuuhhh was sarcastic.

“By the way, Bob?! Who doesn’t get THAT?!”

"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein

by Andrew T. Fisher on Nov 12, 2009 11:40 AM MST up reply actions

That cannot be!

Nay! Nein!

by Muzia on Nov 12, 2009 11:44 AM MST up reply actions

can someone please sign Torrealba already?

someone not named the Rockies?

by Jim Jiminez on Nov 12, 2009 10:43 AM MST reply actions

I hate reading about the Yankees

Already have their sights on signing Lee after next year. It’s disgusting having that much of a competitive advantage over every other team in baseball.

by Muzia on Nov 12, 2009 11:36 AM MST reply actions

Which Lee?

Cliff, Carlos or Derek?

With the Yankees’ money, maybe all 3, I suppose.

by 6161Maris on Nov 12, 2009 11:51 AM MST up reply actions

Cliff, unfortunately.

by Muzia on Nov 12, 2009 11:54 AM MST up reply actions

With the the Yankees money

they could get Smith in his prime form too

"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein

by Andrew T. Fisher on Nov 12, 2009 1:02 PM MST up reply actions

Welll I think the Phillies...

are going to sign him a muti year deal. So hopefully Yankees shouldn’t touch him.

by Colsportsfan on Nov 12, 2009 12:24 PM MST up reply actions

Yankee fans I talked to want them to sign Lackey

resign Pettite, and then trade for Halladay.

I wonder if Bud Selig will give the Yankees a receipt with their World Series purchase

by RhodeIslandRoxfan on Nov 12, 2009 2:27 PM MST up reply actions

Again, disgusting.

by Muzia on Nov 12, 2009 2:52 PM MST up reply actions

the one i talk to (which is my best friend)

does not want Lackey and feels they don’t need another pitcher maybe just a veteran 5th starter and he also said he would trade for our Jorge and use him as the 4 or 5 starter for the yanks lol…he has always been in love with him when he watches games with me this yr haha…i said nooooo jorge noooo

we seem to have gotten over that HURDLE

thanks for a great season Rockies!

LETS GO WINGS!

by TuLoRocks2008 on Nov 12, 2009 3:03 PM MST up reply actions

I don't think their is a single Yankee player (contracts considered) that I would trade JDLR for

Tell your friend they aren’’t getting him :-)

I wonder if Bud Selig will give the Yankees a receipt with their World Series purchase

by RhodeIslandRoxfan on Nov 12, 2009 3:18 PM MST up reply actions

were he available, I'd be interested in Robbie Cano

much as I hate him

Hope got in my eyes

by Andrew Martin on Nov 12, 2009 3:39 PM MST up reply actions

He's have to go throug Tulo's class

“How to get you uniform dirty 101”

Seriously, have you ever seen Cano’s uniform dirty. I hate no effort players

I wonder if Bud Selig will give the Yankees a receipt with their World Series purchase

by RhodeIslandRoxfan on Nov 12, 2009 3:45 PM MST up reply actions

yea my friend absolutely hates that he

always looks like doesn’t try out there and wanted him gone a few times for sure and yea i see it every night as well as you do…he just doesn’t seem to care at times lol but hell of a player reguardless

we seem to have gotten over that HURDLE

thanks for a great season Rockies!

LETS GO WINGS!

by TuLoRocks2008 on Nov 12, 2009 3:52 PM MST up reply actions

I wonder how much better he would be if he tried all the time?

I wonder if Bud Selig will give the Yankees a receipt with their World Series purchase

by RhodeIslandRoxfan on Nov 12, 2009 3:59 PM MST up reply actions

I agree with the posts in this thread sandwiching my posts

I just think he’s a good player, and that’s all I’m considering when I say “I’d be interested in him”

yeah he has the air of “Hi I’m a prick”

Hope got in my eyes

by Andrew Martin on Nov 13, 2009 9:47 AM MST up reply actions

yep

i told him exactly that lol

we seem to have gotten over that HURDLE

thanks for a great season Rockies!

LETS GO WINGS!

by TuLoRocks2008 on Nov 12, 2009 3:39 PM MST up reply actions

Children who grow up Yankees fans will be terrible adults

"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein

by Andrew T. Fisher on Nov 12, 2009 3:25 PM MST up reply actions

I believe Paul Phillips has elected free agency after being outrighted.

So we may have to look for other options for the backup catcher now.

by Greg Stanwood on Nov 12, 2009 12:37 PM MST reply actions

Trade for Mauer

Winners never quit, and quitters never win. But if you never quit *and* never win, you are an idiot

by squalene203 on Nov 12, 2009 1:24 PM MST up reply actions

Start discussions by offering the Top 10 Purps

and then throw in Stewie or Ubaldo and “cash considerations” and we may have ourselves a deal.

by Muzia on Nov 12, 2009 1:41 PM MST up reply actions

AFL Wrap from Jason Grey

He has some stuff on Hector Gomez today:

Gomez is a live body with a wiry frame who possesses bat speed and can run, field with a rocket arm, and hit for some pull power. The problem with Gomez is not one of tools but of approach. Gomez likes to hit early and often in the count, and posted just a .310 OBP this year due to a lack of patience after missing most of 2008 due to injuries. He’s a fastball hitter who is always looking dead red, and he has a tendency to get himself out by chasing the pitcher’s pitch. His swing has been a little bit shorter here at the AFL and he’s started to go the other way a bit more, so at just 21 years of age, he’s still well worth watching.

He also had some stuff on Wilin Rosario yesterday:

He has a short stroke when he’s on, very good bat speed and developing power, and he controls the running game well. He didn’t put up great numbers in high Class A this year (after skipping low Class A), but that just makes him more of a sleeper. His bat will play at the big league level eventually.

I’m really excited about Rosario. Will be curious if he starts off at High A again or goes up to Tulsa. Gomez worries me a tad, hopefully he is still young enough to learn to hit offspeed or breaking stuff. That fastball approach won’t work in MLB.

by Hizilla on Nov 12, 2009 2:54 PM MST reply actions

Also

got Sickles to answer a Q about Rosario today:

rosario
I saw him hit a home run, but I was more impressed with his defense.

One scout compared him to Miguel Olivo, which I thought was a good comp, keeping in mind that for all his weaknesses Miguel Olivo has some positive attiibutes.

He is doing an AFL Q/A

by Hizilla on Nov 12, 2009 3:10 PM MST up reply actions

Definitely excited about Rosario

but this franchise seems to stress plate discipline – perhaps Gomez will pick up on it. I’d be more concerned if he were in the Giants’ system :)

"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein

by Andrew T. Fisher on Nov 12, 2009 3:27 PM MST up reply actions

Yesterday I realized that it was exacly one year

since Matt Holliday had been traded….I was so heart-broken.
It seems like such a long time ago, and now I forgot how it was with him on the team;
our team is a lot better now!

140+ long days till we meet again...

by prettyinpurple on Nov 12, 2009 6:24 PM MST reply actions

I just took a gander at next year's schedule

and noticed that there is a lot of imbalance with our games against the Dodgers. We play the Dodgers only six times in the first 118 games and then starting August 17th play them twelve times in 40 games. If the battle for the division is close between the Dodgers and Rockies, it could be a hell of a final six weeks next season.

http://colorado.rockies.mlb.com/schedule/index.jsp?c_id=col&m=9&y=2010

I wonder if Bud Selig will give the Yankees a receipt with their World Series purchase

by RhodeIslandRoxfan on Nov 12, 2009 7:09 PM MST reply actions