Tuesday Rockpile: Dexter Fowler could break camp with the big club, Ian Stewart back at middle IF

This team has no speed and CF in Coors is a big place. I think Spills is a short term solution at best out there and the everyday play there will wipe him out. I can tell you that playing CF everyday is a major grind in any park let alone one with an OF this big.

I have said for two years the game is going back to its original glory, speed, defense, pitching. Rocks need some speed. Playing in the pitching rich division they do, they need to cover the gaps there. I watched a few games and Fowler is by far the best OF coverage guy we have and has not looked overmatched at all at the plate. This guy is no Juan Pierre as he has a plus arm makes tough plays look easy.

Quite frankly I would platoon Spilly and Smith in LF and start Fowler. But I suspect he will be a defensive sub in later innings for now.

Rockies’ Baker in demand

The Rockies often are criticized by rival executives for asking too much for their players in trades, but they figure to make a move with with utility man Jeff Baker, who is out of minor-league options and drawing interest from the Phillies, Astros and Pirates.

One possible target for the Rox: Phillies right-hander Kyle Kendrick, who was demoted to Class AAA on Monday. Kendrick, for all his faults, has won 21 games the past two seasons — as many as Rockies lefty Jeff Francis, who was hampered last season by shoulder trouble and recently underwent surgery.

Baker, who plays first, second, third and the outfield corners, would fill the Phillies’ need for a right-handed bat off the bench. The problem for the Phillies is that they would not have an available roster spot unless they traded one of their left-handed hitting reserves, Geoff Jenkins or Matt Stairs

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/9374130/Competitions-won%27t-end-on-April-6?CMP=OTC-K9B140813162&ATT=49

I’m all for Fowler breaking camp as the extra player who we will keep because we are caring only 4 starters. The Rockies need to play well coming out of the gate, and Fowler can help there in a pinch running and defensive replacement role. After two weeks, we can decided what to do. I know he will miss a few at bats in the minors, but it won’t hurt him too much to stick around a few weeks, and it will certainly help us.

You’re looking at a bench with Torrealba as the backup C, Quintanilla as the middle infielder du juor, and Stewart filling the corner sub role (minus first base and right field) that Baker filled last year. That gives you two spots for outfielders… Murton should have one spot locked down the way he’s hit.

I think if you keep Fowler and don’t plan to play him everyday, you’re only going to stunt his growth. Let him start at AAA and play every day until you can’t possibly justify keeping him on the farm any longer. Keep Podsednik in the meantime – let him be your speed/defensive replacement guy, he’s more suited for that role considering the point he’s at in his career.

I am OK with trading Baker – we’d lose an extra 1B/RF option and a powerful RH bat off the bench, though hopefully Murton could fill the latter role. I am not OK with acquiring Kyle Kendrick – a young corner IF or a lefty power relief arm would be preferable.

how you keep him and not start him though. Makes no sense from a timetable, development, or defensive point of view. Clock starts ticking on him.

please petition Clint Hurdle to start Ian Stewart and Spilly? Stewart’s my starting 3B and I’m picking up Spilborghs off waivers….

To the dismay of RockiesMagicNumber, the Padres signed RHP Shawn Hill.

whatever I’m still writing my CR about why we should’ve taken a flyer on him (or is it flier? I never know).