Overcrowding in the Outfield

Ringolsby's take on the outfield bench competition. My guess is that Stewart and Murton wind up being kept, with Podsednik, Gonzalez, Ortmeier and Fowler being assigned to Colorado Springs. Podsednik may opt out of that assignment, but his utility in a MLB role seems somewhat limited.

almost 3 years ago Rox Girl 17 comments 0 recs |

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Bench

I’d say Baker and Torrealba are guarantees on the bench. If they choose to have a backup middle IF, then it’s Quintanilla by default due to both his ST performance and his lack of options. It sounds like the FO does not intend to start Stewart, and with Helton’s health still a concern, they’ll want Stewart up to be ready to take over when needed. That leaves one spot for an OF, which is either Pods or Murton. Murton has had the better Spring so far, but Pods offers more unique tools. Therefore, the only way both make the team is if they decide to get Stewart regular playing time at AAA or decide to not worry about the middle IF and trade/waive Q.

by Greg Stanwood on Mar 7, 2009 10:33 AM MST reply actions

Podsednik is making the team

We have the slowest outfield in modern baseball history. Podsednik gives us a legit CF for defensive replacement purposes, and he doesn’t have to be timed with a sundial from first to second on a steal attempt. (OK, that’s an exaggeration, Spilly and Smith aren’t THAT slow, but it was fun to write.) I think Pods makes the team, and Murton heads to the springs, although I think they ought to keep Murton up and let Stewart play every day at AAA until they figure out what they’re doing with Atkins.

Staying on the sunny side of Blake Street since 1993.
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by Franchise26 on Mar 7, 2009 3:44 PM MST reply actions

If Stewart isn't going to start

why doesn’t he get regular AB’s in Col. Springs. I see no reason to sit him in the majors.

As for backing up when Helton goes down or is sore…move Hawpe there, and play one of the OF’s. (this is assuming Helton plays 4 games a week..if any less, I’d put Helton on the DL…f him if he’s not healthy)

Rockies Mgr. Clint Hurdle on what needs improvement in 09: "Our Record"

by Redhawk on Mar 7, 2009 5:01 PM MST reply actions

" If Stewart isn’t going to start why doesn’t he get regular AB’s in Col. Springs."

They’re worried about Helton’s health.

“As for backing up when Helton goes down or is sore…move Hawpe there, and play one of the OF’s.”

Hawpe hasn’t played first base in a long time. We can’t just toss him in there and expect it to work. If we wanted Stewart to get regular ABs, what would probably happen if we needed to spell Helton for a while is to put Baker in at first or third, and relocate Atkins accordingly. Baker is not a terrible option, but Stewart is likely better. It could be a mistake either way, but we have to pick one.

by Greg Stanwood on Mar 7, 2009 5:51 PM MST up reply actions

It's first base

Mike Piazza and David Ortiz played there. It’s not the hardest position on the team.

Rockies Mgr. Clint Hurdle on what needs improvement in 09: "Our Record"

by Redhawk on Mar 8, 2009 12:11 AM MST up reply actions

Its certainly not

but watching Atkins and others at 1B made me really miss Helton, hence the reason Ortiz is a DH.

We don't usually pick up hitchhikers... but I'm-a gonna go with my instincts on this one. Saddle up partner!

by smokinRox on Mar 11, 2009 10:19 PM MDT up reply actions

Aren't Stewart and Murton pretty redundant?

They both are solid hitters who don’t offer much else (although Stewart can play the infield). Murton does hit lefties well but Stewart has shown he is capable of that too throughout his career. To me it seems smarter to have someone like Cargon on the team who can be a good defensive replacement or pinch runner while also being a good centerfielder. If your only backups are corner OF’s then Spilborghs must remain in at all times, limiting flexibility and not allowing him to rest. I don’t really see much point of having Murton as a backup.

by Brendan Scolari on Mar 7, 2009 9:53 PM MST reply actions

Smith and Podsednik can play CF

and Barmes can in a pinch. I don’t want CarGo on the bench if he still hasn’t figured out how to hit. I’d rather he develop in the Springs. Given that Murton is a natural defensive OF and it remains to be seen how well Stewart adjusts to the position, they are not redundant. It certainly doesn’t help that Stewart has been hurt and has lost time PT in LF

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

by Andrew T. Fisher on Mar 7, 2009 10:10 PM MST up reply actions

I didn't know Smith could play center

but, at least according to Rox Girl’s guess, Podsednik won’t be on the team. I guess my point is that any situation you put Murton in, you could get similiar results from Stewart and vice versa.

by Brendan Scolari on Mar 7, 2009 11:46 PM MST up reply actions

92 of Podsednik's 104 AB's last year came as a CF

Not his best position, but with our OF configuration, it’s best. I fear a team without Pods on the bench, as there will effectively be zero developed speed on the roster. I agree with RG though that it is a distinct possibility. I still maintain the defensive contributions between Stew and Murton prevent a redundancy. Plus Stewart has a much higher ceiling should Helton get injured or Atkins be traded.

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

by Andrew T. Fisher on Mar 8, 2009 1:03 AM MST up reply actions

Not really redundant,

Murton’s a LHP specialist as a batter, and should prove better over the long haul in that role than Stewart, who hits LHP’s decently but won’t quite as much once the luck starts to even out. Besides, the added help could be used effectively by shifting Stewart to third against southpaws. Keeping both Murton and Stewart would allow the Rockies to put out this alignment against LHP’s:

C Iannetta .897
1B Atkins .890 (vs. Helton who’s had a .743 and a .678 OPS against LHP’s the last two years)
2B Barmes .850
3B Stewart 1.019
SS Tulo .897
LF Murton .867
CF Spilborghs .908
RF Baker .922

Where the worst batter has an .850 OPS, and then against RHP’s you put Hawpe, Helton and Smith back in.

by Rox Girl on Mar 8, 2009 7:25 AM MST up reply actions

That's certainly intriguing

Even though numbers back it up, I can’t see Hurdle removing Helton AND Hawpe (whose OPS splits are getting much smaller) frequently against LHP with Holliday out of the lineup now. He does tend to ride a hot bat, so it could happen, but I’d be surprised if both H’s were out of the lineup half the time vs LHP, providing both are healthy. Side note: I didn’t realize Bake wielded such a hammer vs lefties.

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

by Andrew T. Fisher on Mar 8, 2009 11:05 AM MDT up reply actions

You are right, Hurdle probably will be the last to realize how effective the above lineup could be,

I think a lot of people aren’t aware that a significant chunk of Helton’s decline has been against lefties, but if he’s needing more rest, it makes perfect sense to schedule it on those days when the Rockies are going against a southpaw. If Brad hits LHP’s at the same .826 clip he did last season, it’s not a big downgrade putting him in and maybe resting Barmes in favor of Baker instead.

by Rox Girl on Mar 8, 2009 11:19 AM MDT up reply actions

I wonder if Clint

recognizes Stewart is more dangerous vs lefties than Helton right now. It would be the perfect time for Stewart to get some PT (and Helton rest), but seeing as both are lefties, one would be inclined to the think the veteran can overcome the L-L matchup better than the youngster. I would not be opposed to keeping Hawpe and giving Baker some PT at second vs lefties.

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

by Andrew T. Fisher on Mar 8, 2009 11:53 AM MDT up reply actions

That would be a pretty awful defensive lineup

And I think the numbers are a bit misleading. Half your games are played at Coors, so the worst being an .850 OPS isn’t nearly as impressive as it would otherwise be. And some of those are small sample sizes, particularly Stewart and Baker. Also, I just don’t see you guys putting that lineup out anyways.

by Brendan Scolari on Mar 8, 2009 3:07 PM MDT up reply actions

Actually, that is not a terrible defensive lineup

Stewart is above average at third, Barmes is solid, Baker is a significant defensive upgrade over Hawpe in right. Spilborghs will be in center anyway. I’m unfamiliar with Murton’s defensive abilities, but that lineup would be on par or better than our everyday lineup.

Stewart has hit lefties well in the minor leagues as well, so his 2008 was not exactly an anomaly. Your last statement can’t be refuted though

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

by Andrew T. Fisher on Mar 8, 2009 3:14 PM MDT up reply actions

The outfield defense would be bad

but then I guess it is regularly for you guys with Hawpe and Smith in too. For some reason I thought Stewart was not very good defensively, but you’re right he’s fine at 3rd. But taking out Helton for Atkins is a big step down defensively. Only the middle infield plays good defense in this alignment. Overall, I guess its not much different from your regular defense so this lineup is probably optimal vs. lefties. The team defense just needs to be upgraded in general, which is why it would help to have Cargon or Fowler on the team as soon as they are ready.

by Brendan Scolari on Mar 8, 2009 3:28 PM MDT up reply actions