Monday Rockpile: With December only a day away, players and teams ready for a busy month

by Russ Oates on Nov 30, 2009 7:34 AM MST in Rockpile

Hot stove set to serve second course | MLB.com: News
This MLB.com article provides an overview of what to expect in December.

MLB Important Dates | MLB.com: Schedule

Dec. 1, 2009
Last date for former Club to offer salary arbitration to receive compensation.

Dec. 7, 2009
• Last day for free agents offered salary arbitration to accept the offers.
• Hall of Fame Veterans Committee voting announced, Indianapolis

Dec. 7-10, 2009
Winter Meetings, Indianapolis

Dec. 10, 2009
Major League Rule 5 Draft -- Winter Meetings, Indianapolis

Dec. 12, 2009
Last day for teams to tender 2010 contracts to unsigned players

Photography: Colorado Rockies Game
There are photos taken during a September game against the Cardinals. Any guesses as to which game they are from, because I haven't figured it out yet.

Box Score Haiku
How do you follow the Rockies in haiku? Visit this site and you can relive the season in that form.

GM: Johnson will be back in 2010 | MLB.com: News
Despite earlier reports that he would be traded during the offseason, Josh Johnson will be with the Marlins for at least the 2010 season.

SoftBank Moves on from Contreras " NPB Tracker
Jose Contreras will not join SoftBank in Japan due to roster space and without having a clear role for him.

Twitter / Jason Grilli: Longest drum roll ever.... ...

Longest drum roll ever.....I know. If it were up to me I would tell ya. Don't want to be banned from Twitter like the NFL players do. Haha

Isn't the suspense just killing you? Don't you want to know where Jason Grilli is going to wind up?

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Pictures of the Cardinals game...

look like from the Sunday game since the other two were in the evening. Plus DeRosa was put in the outfield… which led to a run I believe. Someone make sure I’m right… going off of memory.

I got nothing.

by nkrause on Nov 30, 2009 8:29 AM MST reply actions

Yeah, DeRosa

is in RF in that photo. Must be the Sunday game.

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by Russ Oates on Nov 30, 2009 8:38 AM MST up reply actions

Also

the shadow of Helton is small and in the direction of left field. I agree Day Game

JFK

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

This was the game ended by Barmes' memorable 'catch'...

Too bad this photog didn’t get any shots of the game-ending double play. If he or she was in the Picnic Area in right field, it would have been perfect placement for a definitive photo.

by alex colfax on Nov 30, 2009 12:44 PM MST up reply actions

Oh, the catch.

I forgot about that game and the subsequent Zaprudering that went on. LOL.

by holly96 on Nov 30, 2009 1:21 PM MST up reply actions

Probably Sunday the 27th

based on the shadows it was most likely a day game. So I concur with the lot.

Thanks for a great season of Baseball!
I'll be back next year for another ride.

by TripleT-Rox on Nov 30, 2009 4:39 PM MST up reply actions

So now there is a decent chance we bring Contreras back?

Please say yes.

by Muzia on Nov 30, 2009 8:29 AM MST reply actions

He's been talking to more than one Japanese team.

He’ll have to get turned down by more first.

by Greg Stanwood on Nov 30, 2009 9:56 AM MST up reply actions

I would love to have him back

but honestly, it would probably be better for him personally if he signs with one of them.

by Muzia on Nov 30, 2009 10:02 AM MST up reply actions

Considering his family is moving there with or without him, definitely.

by Greg Stanwood on Nov 30, 2009 10:04 AM MST up reply actions

Rockies plan to keep Spilborghs.

Further damaging Brad Hawpe and Matt Murton’s chances to stay on the team.

by Greg Stanwood on Nov 30, 2009 9:57 AM MST reply actions

I Spilly this.

by Muzia on Nov 30, 2009 10:02 AM MST up reply actions

I will be sad if all we get from Matt Murton is his brief stints in 2009.

I like the guy, but honestly, despite the higher ceiling, Spilborghs just offers more versatility off the bench. His Boras allegiance frustrates me, however.

by Greg Stanwood on Nov 30, 2009 10:05 AM MST up reply actions

Aren't there two remaining spots available on the 40-man roster?

What makes you say that he is gone? Did I miss a link somewhere?

by Muzia on Nov 30, 2009 10:11 AM MST up reply actions

I never said he was gone. But keeping Spilborghs makes his role somewhat redundant.

He is out of optional assignments, and must make the team in order to be kept. With Smith, Fowler, and Gonzalez most likely starting, Spilborghs and Murton are the 4th and 5th OFs, and they’re basically the same except Murton has a higher ceiling, and Spilborghs is more versatile. I believe there is a somewhat decent chance that assuming we stay put on keeping Spilly, Murton winds up traded in a minor deal.

by Greg Stanwood on Nov 30, 2009 10:35 AM MST up reply actions

Murton's Upside

Murton just turned 28 so he’s at or near his peak.. Spilly just turned 30. The biggest difference is that Spilly has better range in the OF and can play all 3 positions.

But they are basically the same player though one is a lefty and one is a righty.

by Redhawk on Nov 30, 2009 10:41 AM MST up reply actions

They're both righties.

Hence, why I feel their presence together as the 4th and 5th OFs is redundant.

by Greg Stanwood on Nov 30, 2009 10:49 AM MST up reply actions

No real problem with Murton going

I’ve got nothing against the guy but never saw anything in him that made me think he’s worth keeping around over Spilly, who is one of those guys that I just like a lot despite his disappointing season.

by Teekalong on Nov 30, 2009 6:24 PM MST up reply actions

Best news I've heard in forever :D

But I can see why everyone else would be sad about not having a place for Murton.

Brad not being on the team would be sad, too.

by Rockie4Ever on Nov 30, 2009 3:44 PM MST via mobile up reply actions

True, but I think it's pretty much the best move the team can make right now.

by Greg Stanwood on Nov 30, 2009 4:45 PM MST up reply actions

I’d be fine with Murton going somewhere where he could get a shot. There was a Cubs fan on here when we got Matt saying he wish he would have had a chance in Chicago but never got one. With him 6th on the depth chart right now, he wasn’t going to get much of a look from us, either. So here’s hoping he finds a spot that gives him a go.

"I clearly miscalculated how popular it would be to show Calvin urinating on a Ford logo"--Bill Watterson

by frightened inmate #2 on Nov 30, 2009 5:10 PM MST up reply actions

I wonder about this, though

How many guys get 3 teams to “not give him a shot?” I mean, its not like he’s been in the independent league. He’s made a MLB roster for (parts of) 5 straight years. He’s had shots, and has failed to make an impression. Again, I don’t want to bag on the guy but I don’t exactly feel like he’s getting the short end here. Looks to me like 2007 was his downfall.

by Teekalong on Nov 30, 2009 6:28 PM MST up reply actions

In most cases, I'd agree with you

But Murton has a career wOBA of about fifteen points above league average, even after poor years in 2008 and 2009 (though that was just 122AB). Even though he plays an offensively premium position, he still has posted numbers that one would expect to appear in a starting lineup somewhere.

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

by Andrew T. Fisher on Nov 30, 2009 8:37 PM MST up reply actions

Haha. I was so ready for my joke spelling of Duchshcerer that I forgot to finish typing Justin.

by Greg Stanwood on Nov 30, 2009 6:42 PM MST up reply actions

Also, the haiku site is cute.

by Greg Stanwood on Nov 30, 2009 9:58 AM MST reply actions

When it says Dec. 12 is the last day to tender contracts to unsigned players,

does that mean players that are under the team’s control, but don’t have contracts yet (like pre-arbitration eligible players)?

by RoxnSox09 on Nov 30, 2009 10:10 AM MST reply actions

As I understand it, the contract tender deadline requires only an OFFER of a contract, and nothing more.

Many contracts are not finalized by the time of the deadline (see especially the arbitration eligible). As a result, because the nature of pre-arbitration players, I believe all they have to do is offer them a low level contract by then and be done with it.

by Greg Stanwood on Nov 30, 2009 10:39 AM MST up reply actions

Yes. This is

also how things happen with the draft. The drafting team needs to offer the league’s minimum requirements in a contract within 10 days after the draft or let draftee become a FA. See Matt White, 1996 on this.

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by Russ Oates on Nov 30, 2009 10:52 AM MST via mobile up reply actions

Don’t forget today is: Cyber Monday
It’s the online equivelent of Black Friday.

Cafe Press offers free shipping on all orders today including anything purchased from Purple Row Cares just use coupon code: FREEMONDAY

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

by Charlie77 on Nov 30, 2009 10:13 AM MST reply actions

I've been thinking

Since the decade is ending we should have a countdown of the 25 best Rockies games of the last 10 years. It could start next Monday December 7 with #25 and end on New Year’s Eve with the best Rockies game of the decade. It would be awesome to relive all of those great games in the Rockpile each day and would help wipe out another month of the offseason.

The games would probably be weighted heavily towards the last three years with the team’s recent success in 07 and 09 and some crazy games (22 inning game, July 4 Marlins game) occuring in a disappointing 08 campaign but I’m sure we could also find plenty of prehumidor goodies.

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

by RhodeIslandRoxfan on Nov 30, 2009 2:55 PM MST reply actions

Maybe

make FanPost to nominate games and then see how we go about this?

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by Russ Oates on Nov 30, 2009 2:58 PM MST via mobile up reply actions

I like this idea.

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by Charlie77 on Nov 30, 2009 4:08 PM MST up reply actions

Will do

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

by RhodeIslandRoxfan on Nov 30, 2009 4:45 PM MST up reply actions

Two Rockies teams left in the NL West 2-Man Sim Tournament I am running. Down to the final four teams in the double elimination format.
vr, Xei

by Xeifrank on Nov 30, 2009 5:20 PM MST reply actions

Helton and Dex are lookin' pretty tough.

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by Charlie77 on Dec 2, 2009 8:28 PM MST up reply actions

Cargo and Tulo are recovering very nice as well after that first round loss to Venable and Eckstein

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

by RhodeIslandRoxfan on Dec 2, 2009 8:35 PM MST up reply actions

Yeah that's a crock..

I don’t know how those two could beat Tulo by himself, let alone with CarGo on his team.

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by Charlie77 on Dec 3, 2009 12:24 AM MST up reply actions

Maybe it's panning out just like the actual season

If you take April Tulo and consider that Cargo was in the minors I guess that could happen.

But now, like late in the season they are both on fire and won’t be stopped.

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

by RhodeIslandRoxfan on Dec 3, 2009 12:39 AM MST up reply actions

Just shows what a crapshoot a seven game series can be. Cargo/Tulo are in trouble in the losers bracket final after sweeping M.Ramirez/J.Loney out.
vr, Xei

by Xeifrank on Dec 3, 2009 1:13 AM MST up reply actions

why did you use Clayton Spanking Richard instead of, you know, Any Rockies Pitchers?

Hope got in my eyes

by Andrew Martin on Dec 3, 2009 9:01 AM MST up reply actions

I tried to use a #1, #2, #3 and #4 pitcher and alternate RH,LH,RH,LH. One team had to be left off and I decided on leaving out the Rockies. It doesn’t really matter much who the pitchers are, since they are the same pitchers for both teams. I could’ve just used John Doe as the pitcher(s) and given him some fake stats.
vr, Xei

by Xeifrank on Dec 3, 2009 9:10 AM MST up reply actions

yeah fair enough

I just wanted to see some DLR or Hammel love rather than “Revolving Door Padres Pitcher #13”

yeah it doesn’t matter, just being a homer :V

Hope got in my eyes

by Andrew Martin on Dec 3, 2009 9:12 AM MST up reply actions

Renck just posted an article about arbitration.

He thinks Betancourt will be the only one offered… but he completely forgets to mention Jason marquis at all, instead replacing him with Jose Contreras, who as far as I know, is neither a Type A or B free agent. I think he made a blunder right there, unless there’s something I’m missing.

He also mentions that the Rockies are taking a glance at Just Duchsurerererjeirhjeighsipeghpsibg and Miguel Batista, and suggests the likes of Bobby Crosby, Rich Aurillia, and Fernando Tatis as potential right handed corner IF benchmen.

Wouldn’t it be funny to have Crosby and Tulo on the same team?

by Greg Stanwood on Nov 30, 2009 5:54 PM MST reply actions

I want every part of Duchscherer and Tatis on the Rockies

Batista, I would bite if the demands were reasonable and I want absolutely no part of Crosby and Aurilia.

Impossible not to have positive thoughts.

I want Sam Deduno to pitch already.

by bballrox4717 on Nov 30, 2009 6:22 PM MST up reply actions

Haha. I was so ready for my joke spelling of Duchshcerer that I forgot to finish typing Justin.

by Greg Stanwood on Nov 30, 2009 6:43 PM MST up reply actions

Sneaky Denver Post.

It’s both an article and a blog post.

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by Russ Oates on Nov 30, 2009 6:47 PM MST up reply actions

Well this is fabulous news

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/30/tbs.caray.ap/index.html

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

by RhodeIslandRoxfan on Nov 30, 2009 9:19 PM MST reply actions

I like Grilli more now

than I did when he was pitching for us. Not that he was bad, I just enjoy seeing personalities shine through.

I thought you knew that algebra was all razzamatazz. A Globetrotter always saves the good algebra for the final minutes.

by A.J. Haefele on Dec 1, 2009 6:51 AM MST reply actions

Have you read his website?

I feel a bit icky when I read all the marketing-ese and direct selling guff. But he seems to have taken to it with slightly fervent enthusiasm – very sensible I guess.

by biondino on Dec 1, 2009 7:34 AM MST up reply actions