Thursday Rockpile: O'Dowd adds hardware, Tracy pushing perennial contender status, Torrealba talks in stasis

by Rox Girl on Dec 10, 2009 8:24 AM MST in Rockpile

As expected, the Rockies did not take any player in the major league phase of the Rule 5 draft this morning. Somewhat unexpected, the Rockies didn't lose any player in it, either. The good news about this is that the team kept its talent. If you want to take a pessimistic look, it also means that the team no longer has the enviable prospect depth it once did.

Really, however, it should be noted that a lot of the players that the Rockies were most likely to lose (even though that didn't prove the case with Aneury Rodriguez or Corey Wimberly) in this draft were dealt in the summer and last Spring for help in the team's 2009 playoff run. These trades netted Jason Hammel, Matt Murton, Joe Beimel and Rafael Betancourt, and all involved prospects who would have needed to be put on the 40 man roster to avoid exposure in the Rule 5 draft. It's moves like these that probably helped Dan O'Dowd get Baseball America's Executive of the Year award.

Alright, other than that, since I'm late and since you crazies have already bloated yesterday's thread to beyond a bursting point, just a links roundup this morning:

Rockies' Tracy: We are too good not to contend - The Denver Post
Jim Tracy, the NLs manager of the year, said today Ubaldo Jimenez would enter spring training at the head of the rotation and that he prefers Todd Helton, Troy Tulowitzki and Brad Hawpe in the heart of the lineup.

Dollars behind the day's deals - The Denver Post
The winter meetings heated up even more Wednesday, with the Brewers landing pitchers Randy Wolf and LaTroy Hawkins.

Rockies-Torrealba talks stuck in impasse - The Denver Post

Tracy: Jimenez ready to be ace - The Denver Post
Rockies manager Jim Tracy doesnt fear expectations. He embraces them. He considers the suggestion that the Rockies U-turn was a fluke a "slap in the face."

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Comments

The DP article on Torrealba has the following comment

Try to signe some that can throw a base stealer out. With out pitching staff, and dreadful bullpen, there will be runners on base.

This is his argument FOR signing Torrealba.

by Muzia on Dec 10, 2009 8:33 AM MST reply actions

There is certainly no part of that comment based in reality

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

by Andrew T. Fisher on Dec 10, 2009 8:44 AM MST up reply actions

In case anyone is curious

the Rockies rotation ranked 12th in limiting baserunners, the bullpen 11th, and the overall staff 10th

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

by Andrew T. Fisher on Dec 10, 2009 9:12 AM MST up reply actions

I am trying to resolve this paradox

If we went without a pitching staff, would there be runners on base?

If no one is on the mound to throw the ball…

by Muzia on Dec 10, 2009 9:15 AM MST up reply actions

In the NL or the MLB?

"These are thin mints. I put them in the freezer. My favorites. So good."
--Reds outfielder Adam Dunn, on the girl scout cookies he keeps in his locker

by Resolution on Dec 10, 2009 9:17 AM MST up reply actions

hopefully MLB

considering we made the playoffs

by Muzia on Dec 10, 2009 9:18 AM MST up reply actions

MLB

Park adjusted, that’s a very strong and balanced top ten staff

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

by Andrew T. Fisher on Dec 10, 2009 9:23 AM MST up reply actions

19th in BABIP

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

by Andrew T. Fisher on Dec 10, 2009 9:33 AM MST up reply actions

I'm confused

How can the starters be 12th, the bullpen 11th and the overall staff be 10th? The overall staff is a combination of the other two right?

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

by RhodeIslandRoxfan on Dec 10, 2009 5:19 PM MST up reply actions

It's called simpson's paradox

One switch hitter can have a higher batting average than another, from both sides of the plate, but still have a lower overall average. Suppose he bats .330 lefty, in 100 PAs, and .290 righty, in 500 ABs. His overall average is .297. If the other guy bats .325 lefty in 400 ABs and .270 righty in 50 ABs, his overall average is .319. It’s all about the weight in numbers.

That said, I’m not going to look through the innings logged by our starters and bullpen and see if that’s really what’s going on here because I am too lazy.

Never underestimate the predictability of stupidity

by squalene203 on Dec 10, 2009 5:33 PM MST up reply actions

Ah I see it now

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

by RhodeIslandRoxfan on Dec 10, 2009 5:39 PM MST up reply actions

Don't worry

It confused RMN on the Hammel-is-the-best-4th-starter article too, understandably.

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

by Andrew T. Fisher on Dec 11, 2009 9:00 AM MST up reply actions

Something numbers related confused RMN

I didn’t think that was possible

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

by RhodeIslandRoxfan on Dec 11, 2009 9:32 AM MST up reply actions

Taken literally,

if you don’t have a pitching staff, there can’t be any baserunners since no game would be played.

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by Russ Oates on Dec 10, 2009 9:16 AM MST up reply actions

Officially a 9-0 game would have taken place due to the forfeit.

However, the team ERA would be 0, I believe. Have to check it out somewhere, but I dont have the time.

3 out of 4 sounds so much better than 2 out of 3...

by realmenwearpurple on Dec 10, 2009 10:59 AM MST up reply actions

stop stop stop it makes my brain bleed

Hope got in my eyes

by Andrew Martin on Dec 10, 2009 9:19 AM MST up reply actions

Are We Completely OK With Tracy?

Based on the the article linked to above where he states he prefers Hawpe in the lineup… Is that the right “political” answer considering you have a veteran guy who has produced pretty well? I for one think Smith\Fowler\Cargo is our best outfield as far as defense and consistency at the plate. Tracy, as shown in the playoffs, uses a lot of conventional wisdom when filling out the lineup card; I am not sure I like that.

Maybe the solution is to simply trade Hawpe (original idea, I know) and take the decision not to play Seth Smith out of Tracy’s hands.

I guess it is hard to rag on the guy too much at this point, but I would hate to see another “2008”.

by BittenAnkles on Dec 10, 2009 8:34 AM MST reply actions

Backing Hawpe here is the politic response

He shows his faith in the player, and indicates that he’s still a starting 5th hitter to other teams who might fancy him in a trade. The rivals for his spot in the team are all younger players who should have less of a sense of ego and entitlement about their role. And, in all likelihood, Tracy has probably spoken individually to each player about how he perceives their role over the coming season (or at least intends to).

by biondino on Dec 10, 2009 8:38 AM MST up reply actions

I'm not sure younger players don't have a sense of entitlement

As I’ve mentioned before, Smith has publicly stated his dismay at not starting. Perhaps he thinks he’s entitled to the starts. I tend to think CarGo has quite a large ego and sense of entitlement.

My point is that most baseball players have egos and think they are entitled.

Dear Rockies - Thank you for a wonderful rollercoaster of a season! NL Wild Card Champs. Best turnaround in MLB history for a team to win the Wild Card. Can't wait to do it again next year!

Troy Tulowitzki - MLB's BEST shortstop..nuff said
Yorvit Torrealba - Re-sign!! he's en Fuego!!
Brad Hawpe- I hope I get to see you in a Rockies uniform again!
Dexter Fowler - prowling CF, WC in his talons, leaping Utleys in a single bound!

by SDcat09 on Dec 10, 2009 9:59 AM MST up reply actions

Gonzalez was very humble..

in the Angels game I attended. I was watching him during BP and he was shagging equipment for the guys, and doing the other little things the team needed. The only other player I saw doing that was Huston Street. One adult Angels fan asked CarGo for his autograph and he seemed very shy, like; why do you want my autograph.

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by Charlie77 on Dec 10, 2009 10:32 AM MST up reply actions

I think a player can show humility with fans, (its just good sense)

still have an ego about their own talents and feel entitled to play everyday.
I don’t see those as mutually exclusive.

Dear Rockies - Thank you for a wonderful rollercoaster of a season! NL Wild Card Champs. Best turnaround in MLB history for a team to win the Wild Card. Can't wait to do it again next year!

by SDcat09 on Dec 10, 2009 10:51 AM MST up reply actions

I think you're just picking on Hawpe's backups because..

you’re feeling defensive. I’ve never seen CarGo act with a sense of entitlement.

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by Charlie77 on Dec 10, 2009 11:39 AM MST up reply actions

Everybody I've talked to who has met CarGo has described him as shy.

While it wouldn’t surprise me if he has some hotheadedness behind the shyness (common for young players), I haven’t seen any “entitlement” either.

by Greg Stanwood on Dec 10, 2009 11:43 AM MST up reply actions

i guess the question is how do you define

when one feels entitled…? How is that a known thing…?

Dear Rockies - Thank you for a wonderful rollercoaster of a season! NL Wild Card Champs. Best turnaround in MLB history for a team to win the Wild Card. Can't wait to do it again next year!

by SDcat09 on Dec 10, 2009 11:52 AM MST up reply actions

Perhaps when a player directly alienates his teammates and team for strict promotion of self

Until then, I assume no player has an unhealthy sense of entitlement

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

by Andrew T. Fisher on Dec 10, 2009 11:55 AM MST up reply actions

that's fair...

Dear Rockies - Thank you for a wonderful rollercoaster of a season! NL Wild Card Champs. Best turnaround in MLB history for a team to win the Wild Card. Can't wait to do it again next year!

by SDcat09 on Dec 10, 2009 12:04 PM MST up reply actions

welp, he definitely wasn't shy in his media discussions

and his interviews on MLB Network…but some people are less shy in a public forum than one on one…

Dear Rockies - Thank you for a wonderful rollercoaster of a season! NL Wild Card Champs. Best turnaround in MLB history for a team to win the Wild Card. Can't wait to do it again next year!

by SDcat09 on Dec 10, 2009 11:55 AM MST up reply actions

whoa...

untrue and unfair. if you read my entire post, I think ALL ballplayers have ego, and a sense of entitlement. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing. And I include Hawpe in that as well.

I was trying make the point that younger players are just as capable of having ego and a sense of entitlement.

golly gee…

Dear Rockies - Thank you for a wonderful rollercoaster of a season! NL Wild Card Champs. Best turnaround in MLB history for a team to win the Wild Card. Can't wait to do it again next year!

by SDcat09 on Dec 10, 2009 11:51 AM MST up reply actions

By that definition, I think everyone who knows anything about anything at all, or is good at anything at all, has a sense of entitlement.

I would define entitlement as the expectation of preference based upon factors rooted in self promotion and arrogance. I do not believe all athletes fall into that category.

by Greg Stanwood on Dec 10, 2009 12:06 PM MST up reply actions

I guess I was seeing entitlement differently

Dear Rockies - Thank you for a wonderful rollercoaster of a season! NL Wild Card Champs. Best turnaround in MLB history for a team to win the Wild Card. Can't wait to do it again next year!

by SDcat09 on Dec 10, 2009 12:14 PM MST up reply actions

I was thinking in the sense that professional athletes must have some measure of entitlement

ideas because of all the work and sacrifice they have made to get where they are…..

Dear Rockies - Thank you for a wonderful rollercoaster of a season! NL Wild Card Champs. Best turnaround in MLB history for a team to win the Wild Card. Can't wait to do it again next year!

by SDcat09 on Dec 10, 2009 12:17 PM MST up reply actions

As "entitlement" is officially only supposed to refer to someone's right to something, both of us describing entitlement in this fashion is somewhat subjective.

So don’t worry about it.

by Greg Stanwood on Dec 10, 2009 12:21 PM MST up reply actions

fair enough!

I think we sort of agree….?

Dear Rockies - Thank you for a wonderful rollercoaster of a season! NL Wild Card Champs. Best turnaround in MLB history for a team to win the Wild Card. Can't wait to do it again next year!

by SDcat09 on Dec 10, 2009 12:23 PM MST up reply actions

Sort of. Hehe.

by Greg Stanwood on Dec 10, 2009 12:24 PM MST up reply actions

Sort of. Hehe.

by Greg Stanwood on Dec 10, 2009 12:24 PM MST up reply actions

Double post fail.

Oops.

by Greg Stanwood on Dec 10, 2009 12:24 PM MST up reply actions

I like this definition.

Eschew Obfuscation!

by Jeff Aberle on Dec 10, 2009 4:37 PM MST up reply actions

wait, Cargo is Hawpe's backup?

Hope got in my eyes

by Andrew Martin on Dec 10, 2009 12:00 PM MST up reply actions

CarGo would be taking over in RF were Hawpe traded.

I assume Charlie’s accusation was that SDcat was ragging on CarGo because he would be the so-called heir apparent to Hawpe’s territory (SDcat really doesn’t want Hawpe to be traded).

by Greg Stanwood on Dec 10, 2009 12:01 PM MST up reply actions

I don't want Hawpe to be traded, true

that wasn’t my point.

Dear Rockies - Thank you for a wonderful rollercoaster of a season! NL Wild Card Champs. Best turnaround in MLB history for a team to win the Wild Card. Can't wait to do it again next year!

by SDcat09 on Dec 10, 2009 12:03 PM MST up reply actions

i wasn't ragging on CarGo btw..I like CarGo

My perception is the guy is supremely confident, with a healthy ego.

Dear Rockies - Thank you for a wonderful rollercoaster of a season! NL Wild Card Champs. Best turnaround in MLB history for a team to win the Wild Card. Can't wait to do it again next year!

by SDcat09 on Dec 10, 2009 12:06 PM MST up reply actions

I know.

I was speaking of Charlie’s accusation, not what I thought you were doing. :)

by Greg Stanwood on Dec 10, 2009 12:09 PM MST up reply actions

fair enough...

Dear Rockies - Thank you for a wonderful rollercoaster of a season! NL Wild Card Champs. Best turnaround in MLB history for a team to win the Wild Card. Can't wait to do it again next year!

by SDcat09 on Dec 10, 2009 12:16 PM MST up reply actions

Yeah

You don’t want to rag on CarGo. He has a lazor :-)

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

by RhodeIslandRoxfan on Dec 10, 2009 5:23 PM MST up reply actions

good point....that really is Smith right or Spilly?

Dear Rockies - Thank you for a wonderful rollercoaster of a season! NL Wild Card Champs. Best turnaround in MLB history for a team to win the Wild Card. Can't wait to do it again next year!

by SDcat09 on Dec 10, 2009 12:01 PM MST up reply actions

If Hawpe stays, Smith and Spilly will probably be the backup OFs.

That’s assuming what I’ve heard about their plans to hold back Fowler are being overplayed.

by Greg Stanwood on Dec 10, 2009 12:02 PM MST up reply actions

which is similarly wrong

Hope got in my eyes

by Andrew Martin on Dec 10, 2009 12:12 PM MST up reply actions

What do you mean?

by Greg Stanwood on Dec 10, 2009 12:13 PM MST up reply actions

Smith should also be starting

Hope got in my eyes

by Andrew Martin on Dec 10, 2009 12:16 PM MST up reply actions

Maybe they could predict the future and knew how awesome he would be

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

by RhodeIslandRoxfan on Dec 10, 2009 5:20 PM MST up reply actions

I defininitely don't read Smith's reaction as a sense of entitlement

Of course he wants to start. Everyone wants to start, and everyone will say so if asked. Except Quintanilla. Well, maybe him too.

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

by Andrew T. Fisher on Dec 10, 2009 10:40 AM MST up reply actions

Cargo and ego...

So, going into last year (and prior years) I understand that CarGo had developed a reputation as being lazy, and relying too much on his natural skills. It seemed the knock on him was that he was too confident in his own abilities and that he felt “destined” or “entitled” to be a starting player in the big leagues.
However, you don’t really hear reports of that since he came to the Rox. Perhaps being on his 3rd team in as many years instituted a bit of humility?
Next, we should be careful not to confuse ego with confidence. Meaning, if CarGo believes that he is the best OF on the team, and should play more, that speaks more to his confidence in his skills to me than ego. I’m not sure I would want someone on my MLB team that did NOT want to play everyday! It would be egotistical if CarGo started making statements about starting all star games and hall of fame careers and such (at this juncture).
That’s just my 2 cents worth…

by attackparrot on Dec 10, 2009 1:54 PM MST up reply actions

Or having a better arm than John Elway

Though who knows, he might

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

by Andrew T. Fisher on Dec 10, 2009 2:20 PM MST up reply actions

I remember that article

I remember it as “cocky” and that he took “lazy” routes, not necessarily that he was lazy

Hope got in my eyes

by Andrew Martin on Dec 10, 2009 2:26 PM MST up reply actions

Oddly, we heard the latter attached to Fowler much more

And saw it too

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

by Andrew T. Fisher on Dec 11, 2009 9:01 AM MST up reply actions

Leverage, Leverage, Leverage

We know they are fielding offers from other teams for Hawpe. Of course you say that he would be the starter and #5 hitter. The last thing you say is that he has been relegated to a bench player.

by Muzia on Dec 10, 2009 8:39 AM MST up reply actions

And if a trade doesn't actually happen

the club is demonstrating their confidence in Hawpe so he doesn’t feel pushed aside. There really is no reason for Tracy not to talk him up.

by phishbate on Dec 10, 2009 8:43 AM MST up reply actions

And if he comes out of the box as fast as he did in 2009...

…there really aren’t too many reasons not to pencil him in at #5, but with the caveat that you don’t keep running him out there every day if he tanks, like he did last season.

If you can give Smith/CarGo/Fowler/Hawpe each five starts a week (including maybe one at 1B), everyone’s probably less likely to slip in the 2nd half.

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

by Mondogarage on Dec 10, 2009 9:25 AM MST up reply actions

no

Hope got in my eyes

by Andrew Martin on Dec 10, 2009 9:19 AM MST up reply actions

Seconded.

Eschew Obfuscation!

by Jeff Aberle on Dec 10, 2009 10:10 AM MST up reply actions

Well, I disagree with his decisions, but I back him now that we're committed to him.

We’re going to have to sink or swim with him for the next couple of seasons whether we like it or not. The main thing is to give him the talent to work with, and hope that he doesn’t screw it up as much as his predecessor. So far, I haven’t seen much that he’s done that sets him apart or above other managers out there, this favor toward the established isn’t different from what we’d probably find regardless of who we hired.

by Rox Girl on Dec 10, 2009 10:15 AM MST up reply actions

agreed

Hope got in my eyes

by Andrew Martin on Dec 10, 2009 10:59 AM MST up reply actions

EY2 focusing on 2B, LF & 3B

Could give some more infield flexibility

Eric Young Jr. will focus on playing second, third and left field in spring training, Tracy explained. The reason is simple: there won’t be many at-bats as a center fielder given the presence of Carlos Gonzalez and Dexter Fowler.

by phishbate on Dec 10, 2009 9:17 AM MST reply actions

god, keep him out of CF

corners, 2B, fine. No CF. We have 3 guys who can ACTUALLY play CF.

Hope got in my eyes

by Andrew Martin on Dec 10, 2009 9:20 AM MST up reply actions

With Hawpe backing up 1B

it may mitigate the need for bringing someone new in for an infield utility role.

by phishbate on Dec 10, 2009 9:22 AM MST up reply actions

It may, but I still support adding a cheap replacement for Atkins, who can play 1B and 3B without needing any kind of readjustment.

by Greg Stanwood on Dec 10, 2009 9:39 AM MST up reply actions

Between Betancourt & Torrealba

there may not enough flexibility to make it happen (without a trade coming through).

A decent RH 1B/3B backup would be ideal to me, but as a fallback I would be okay (not thrilled) with EY2/Hawpe providing some cover.

by phishbate on Dec 10, 2009 9:48 AM MST up reply actions

so let's go ahead and save 5.5M over 2 years

Hope got in my eyes

by Andrew Martin on Dec 10, 2009 9:52 AM MST up reply actions

There may not, but we won't know until all the cards have been played (Betancourt and Torrealba get values, potential trades are made)

I’m holding out on the FO realizing trading Hawpe is in the best interest of the team, and most of the Hawpe hyping is a smokescreen.

by Greg Stanwood on Dec 10, 2009 9:59 AM MST up reply actions

That's my hope as well

but the talk of Hawpe at 1B and EY2 at 3B/2B/LF makes me wonder if they aren’t confident that they can make a trade happen. It seems like a reasonable solution in the event that no one is brought in.

by phishbate on Dec 10, 2009 10:05 AM MST up reply actions

Of Backups...

Maybe it will come that Barmes is the backup everywhere left of 1b, with hawpe being the backup at 1b.
Regardless, our current roster provides us quite a bit of flexibility if you look at it. We have 4 OF who can basically play all 3 OF positions, and 1 OF who can back up 1b with a big bat. In the IF, we have Barmes who can basicalyl play anywhere, EY2 who can play 2b/3b, Stewie who can play an excellent 3b (and if pressed 2b), Helton and the best SS in baseball.
I like our flexibility, and hopefully EY2 can take some significant steps on D at 2b to free up Barmes for the utility role he seems best suited for.

by attackparrot on Dec 10, 2009 10:04 AM MST up reply actions

At this point, it seems like the organization has no intention of even giving EY2 the opportunity to displace Barmes as a starter.

I would favor a competition, but I’ve yet to see any reason to think that EY2 would be a better option. Barmes will take his 3 year contract and be the starter once again.

by Greg Stanwood on Dec 10, 2009 10:07 AM MST up reply actions

I guess that's what spring training's for. If EY2 has a stellar one, no reason why he can't do a Dex on opening day

by biondino on Dec 10, 2009 10:09 AM MST up reply actions

Difference is Dex wasn't even expected to make the roster.

EY2 is.

Another important difference is that none of our CF candidates were making several million dollars. I think both of those are reasons why that won’t happen.

by Greg Stanwood on Dec 10, 2009 10:13 AM MST up reply actions

Barmey has taken innings in the OF as well

he’s a good runner

Hope got in my eyes

by Andrew Martin on Dec 10, 2009 10:09 AM MST up reply actions

Can you imagine if Barmey could hit?

He’d be great!

by biondino on Dec 10, 2009 10:10 AM MST up reply actions

indeed...let's hope he learns how to hit soon

Dear Rockies - Thank you for a wonderful rollercoaster of a season! NL Wild Card Champs. Best turnaround in MLB history for a team to win the Wild Card. Can't wait to do it again next year!

by SDcat09 on Dec 10, 2009 11:59 AM MST up reply actions

He can at times

Usually this spectacle happens around the summer equinox

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

by RhodeIslandRoxfan on Dec 10, 2009 5:27 PM MST up reply actions

I would like to see Yorvit take some time at 1B..

he could be a good complimentary RH bat to spell Helton.

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by Charlie77 on Dec 10, 2009 10:34 AM MST up reply actions

Wasn't Tracy planning to do that during the SpillySlam game?

Dear Rockies - Thank you for a wonderful rollercoaster of a season! NL Wild Card Champs. Best turnaround in MLB history for a team to win the Wild Card. Can't wait to do it again next year!

by SDcat09 on Dec 10, 2009 10:54 AM MST up reply actions

I think you're right

I know we had to use CDI to pinch hit for CarGo because of his hand and I think the ensuing domino effect would have landed Yorvit at first.

Can you imagine if that game had if 15th inning? It would have been the ugliest defensive alignment of all time.

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

by RhodeIslandRoxfan on Dec 10, 2009 5:30 PM MST up reply actions

and the most awesome....in a weird way

Dear Rockies - Thank you for a wonderful rollercoaster of a season! NL Wild Card Champs. Best turnaround in MLB history for a team to win the Wild Card. Can't wait to do it again next year!

by SDcat09 on Dec 10, 2009 5:33 PM MST up reply actions

Did you ever check out my idea for your new avatar?

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by Charlie77 on Dec 10, 2009 5:35 PM MST up reply actions

I forgot about it...

Dear Rockies - Thank you for a wonderful rollercoaster of a season! NL Wild Card Champs. Best turnaround in MLB history for a team to win the Wild Card. Can't wait to do it again next year!

by SDcat09 on Dec 10, 2009 6:04 PM MST up reply actions

Here it is.

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by Charlie77 on Dec 10, 2009 7:40 PM MST up reply actions

I like it!

Maybe some mountains on the surfboard :)?

Dear Rockies - Thank you for a wonderful rollercoaster of a season! NL Wild Card Champs. Best turnaround in MLB history for a team to win the Wild Card. Can't wait to do it again next year!

by SDcat09 on Dec 10, 2009 9:04 PM MST up reply actions

As long as we still won :-)

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

by RhodeIslandRoxfan on Dec 10, 2009 5:42 PM MST up reply actions

I don't know

When Neifi Perez caught and Larry Walker played in the infield, I think that was pretty terrible

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

by Andrew T. Fisher on Dec 11, 2009 9:02 AM MST up reply actions

I'm glad we didn't have to compare and contrast

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

by RhodeIslandRoxfan on Dec 11, 2009 9:33 AM MST up reply actions

Sure?

Not sure the Rockies want a guy who has an .700 ops at 1st base.

by dsmba on Dec 10, 2009 11:20 AM MST up reply actions

wat

Hope got in my eyes

by Andrew Martin on Dec 10, 2009 11:28 AM MST up reply actions

I am interested to see if EY2 has the arm strength to play 3B

something tells me he doesn’t….

by cocainelips99 on Dec 10, 2009 10:31 AM MST up reply actions

this was my thought as well.

There might be a few more IF hits with him compared to Atkins, but as long as he can protect the line from 2B’s it still might turn out alright.

by Rox Girl on Dec 10, 2009 10:34 AM MST up reply actions

I don't see his arm as being any worse than Jamey Carroll's..

and he was a fine defensive replacement at 3B for the stretch run of 2007.

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by Charlie77 on Dec 10, 2009 10:38 AM MST up reply actions

I remember watching him make a terribly weak throw in from center once

but I think he rushed it.

Foxes are naughties

by crazedjohn on Dec 10, 2009 4:03 PM MST up reply actions

Something tells me you're right

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

by RhodeIslandRoxfan on Dec 10, 2009 5:31 PM MST up reply actions

I disagree with Tracy's slotting of Francis 2nd in the rotation and DLR 4th...

that really should be switched based on stuff/recent results/injury risk.

Eschew Obfuscation!

by Jeff Aberle on Dec 10, 2009 10:10 AM MST reply actions

Perhaps they will be

It’s way too early to assume anything’s set in stone. Francis’s performance in spring training will have a big influence on the lineup, among myriad other eventualities.

by biondino on Dec 10, 2009 10:11 AM MST up reply actions

Tracy appears to motivate the younger players..

by setting the established players up as higher in the pecking order. Thus giving the younger guys a goal to shoot for.

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by Charlie77 on Dec 10, 2009 10:39 AM MST up reply actions

I would prefer it switched as well..

… though my brief investigation revealed that the eventual setup of opponents in 2009 for each rotation spot was somewhat similar.

by Greg Stanwood on Dec 10, 2009 10:14 AM MST up reply actions

I believe that Francis is the key to our season.

Without a 15 win season from him I am not sure from where the wins needed to get to the playoffs are going to come.

by cocainelips99 on Dec 10, 2009 10:33 AM MST up reply actions

Will any of our pitching prospects(Rogers, Chacin, Friedrich, etc)

Be ready to come up to the majors mid-season? If so, then all we would really need is for Francis to try to stay healthy.

If not, well, I am kind of worried about our starting pitching depth this year.

Saved by the buoyancy of citrus.

by Justus on Dec 10, 2009 10:58 AM MST up reply actions

Friedrich probably not.

The other two, maybe. It could go either way with whether they’re ready or not.

by Greg Stanwood on Dec 10, 2009 11:05 AM MST up reply actions

To clarify:

Friederich may make an appearance, but I find it hard to believe they’d consider him for a midseason regular role over Rogers, Chacin, Deduno, or even Greg Smtih, unless all of them are flailing or injured.

by Greg Stanwood on Dec 10, 2009 11:17 AM MST up reply actions

It may be more advantageous

to split Jimenez and DLR, as they are similar style pitchers. If Francis can handle it, his changeup would be all the more brutal the day after the opponent faces the fastest fastball in the league.

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

by Andrew T. Fisher on Dec 10, 2009 10:43 AM MST up reply actions

Kind of like back in the day, the Astros had J.R. Richard (100 mph), Nolan Ryan (100 mph) followed by Joe Niekro (60 MPH). People could not figure out Niekro to save their souls.

People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring. ~Rogers Hornsby

by pedalpusher on Dec 10, 2009 3:34 PM MST up reply actions

That definitely makes sense...

though I’m in the camp of wanting the better pitcher pitching more (and yes, JDLR is most likely a better pitcher RIGHT NOW than Francis, maybe better than Francis ever was).

Eschew Obfuscation!

by Jeff Aberle on Dec 10, 2009 4:42 PM MST up reply actions

That makes sense too

and perhaps they could finagle that via offdays and such

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

by Andrew T. Fisher on Dec 11, 2009 9:04 AM MST up reply actions

Jabs, interesting point

But I see it as Ubaldo throwing heat, Francis using control, Cook throwing bowling balls, then JDLR coming back with heat and K’s. Hammel rounds it out doing everything acceptably, and with a little growth on his part, it can be as successful as last season.

It makes sense to have Francis 2nd in the order just for the “different look” it’ll provide him.

The oxen are slow, but the earth is patient.

by rockieprogress on Dec 10, 2009 10:45 AM MST up reply actions

IAWTC

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

by RhodeIslandRoxfan on Dec 10, 2009 5:32 PM MST up reply actions

Weird question.

I was looking at Rockies website at the hotstove feed for the Rockies and a twitter is referencing this morning’s rockpile.
Is that kosher?

Dear Rockies - Thank you for a wonderful rollercoaster of a season! NL Wild Card Champs. Best turnaround in MLB history for a team to win the Wild Card. Can't wait to do it again next year!

by SDcat09 on Dec 10, 2009 11:23 AM MST reply actions

Yes.

They have a bit URL link leading directly to PR in each once.

by Greg Stanwood on Dec 10, 2009 11:26 AM MST up reply actions

each one*

by Greg Stanwood on Dec 10, 2009 11:27 AM MST up reply actions

It's probably picking

up our Twitter feed.

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by Russ Oates on Dec 10, 2009 11:28 AM MST via mobile up reply actions

It's a "Fanfeeder" feed, so if you use them, then yes.

by Greg Stanwood on Dec 10, 2009 11:31 AM MST up reply actions

lol

Look at what MLB Fanhouse wrote about the NL West at the Winter Meetings:

“Considering that the Dodgers lost Randy Wolf and they haven’t added anyone, and the Giants still haven’t found a bat, it looks like the Rockies are the Dec. 10 favorites in the division, for whatever that’s worth (nothing).”

by Greg Stanwood on Dec 10, 2009 11:59 AM MST reply actions

dang....them's fightin' words!!!!

Dear Rockies - Thank you for a wonderful rollercoaster of a season! NL Wild Card Champs. Best turnaround in MLB history for a team to win the Wild Card. Can't wait to do it again next year!

by SDcat09 on Dec 10, 2009 12:18 PM MST up reply actions

Fixed it

"Considering that the Dodgers lost Randy Wolf and they haven’t added anyone, and the Giants still haven’t found a bat, it looks like the Rockies are the Dec. 10 favorites in the division, for whatever that’s worth ~~(nothing)."~~

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

by RhodeIslandRoxfan on Dec 10, 2009 5:37 PM MST up reply actions

If only I could use strikethrough..

when talking to my boss.

Yes sir ~~you cheap-a clockwatcher who calles me constantly on my day off for idiotic problems you could have handled yourself~~, I agree that would be a wise ~~idiotic~~ policy to implement.

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by Charlie77 on Dec 10, 2009 5:46 PM MST up reply actions

THIS....

well, when I was employed I would liked to have said that..lol

Dear Rockies - Thank you for a wonderful rollercoaster of a season! NL Wild Card Champs. Best turnaround in MLB history for a team to win the Wild Card. Can't wait to do it again next year!

by SDcat09 on Dec 10, 2009 6:07 PM MST up reply actions

Boy, that Norwegian mystery light sure is spectacular.

by Greg Stanwood on Dec 10, 2009 12:25 PM MST reply actions

link?

or do you mean Elin Nordgren?

Dear Rockies - Thank you for a wonderful rollercoaster of a season! NL Wild Card Champs. Best turnaround in MLB history for a team to win the Wild Card. Can't wait to do it again next year!

by SDcat09 on Dec 10, 2009 12:28 PM MST up reply actions

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/12/10/norway.ufo.light/index.html

by Greg Stanwood on Dec 10, 2009 12:31 PM MST up reply actions

that's pretty wild

Dear Rockies - Thank you for a wonderful rollercoaster of a season! NL Wild Card Champs. Best turnaround in MLB history for a team to win the Wild Card. Can't wait to do it again next year!

by SDcat09 on Dec 10, 2009 12:36 PM MST up reply actions

a few years ago, they launched rockets from

Vandenburg that made gorgeous contrails at sunset over the ocean. People were going outside to watch it…Quite beautiful really…

Dear Rockies - Thank you for a wonderful rollercoaster of a season! NL Wild Card Champs. Best turnaround in MLB history for a team to win the Wild Card. Can't wait to do it again next year!

by SDcat09 on Dec 10, 2009 12:44 PM MST up reply actions

well, they launch regularly but these were most visible

Dear Rockies - Thank you for a wonderful rollercoaster of a season! NL Wild Card Champs. Best turnaround in MLB history for a team to win the Wild Card. Can't wait to do it again next year!

by SDcat09 on Dec 10, 2009 12:45 PM MST up reply actions