Monday Rockpile: Rockies playing the confidence game
by Russ Oates on May 11, 2009 7:39 AM MDT
in Rockpile
Email
PrintPatrick Saunders's latest article looks at what yesterday's victory may do for the Rockies: give them confidence. An Aaron Cook quote from the piece:
"We definitely need to win some close games to give us confidence so that when we get in those situations, we know we can pull it out," starter Aaron Cook said after pitching six solid innings en route to his second win of the season. "For us to pull it out today was big, and hopefully it will carry over. Instead of looking back saying we've lost a lot of tight games, we can say, 'Hey, we can win these.' "
Let's hope it does, because we don't want the Rockies turning this into a confidence game. Better they be honest about things than suckering us in and. . . .
Troy Tulowitzki injured his left quadriceps yesterday, but it isn't anywhere close to the injury he sufffered there last season. Troy Renck believes Tulowitzki is the guy who can save the Rockies, a game-changing player.
Taylor Buchholz is back with the Rockies for some evaluation, and he thinks he may throw in a simulated game by the end of the month.
Today's selection to take how you want comes from Percy Bysshe Shelley's "Ozymandias":
And on the pedestal these words appear:
"My name is Ozymandias, king of kings:
Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!"
Nothing beside remains. Round the decay
Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare,
The lone and level sands stretch far away.
I hate off days.
53 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Tulo
Renck was on the Fan this morning on my drive in. Talked about Tulo and how he’s been hot lately – didn’t even mention the injury – hopefully means it’s not serious.
"Better move your rental cars, I am about to take BP."
-Glendon Rusch
Anxiety throughout the organization...
In the Tulo article, Renck essentially writes what Redhawk posted in a thread yesterday:
Everyone, it seems, is treading carefully at Coors Field these days, waiting for the other shoe to drop. A bad team means fewer fans, more trades and potentially deep cost-cutting moves from the clubhouse to the front office.
The Rockies need a player to go off, get crazy-hot, make the kind of plays that increase walk-up sales.
Kudos. Unless redhawk=Renck.
This is a good time for me to say this
but I’ve been really hard on Tulowitzki, and right now I’m not a fan of the kid. BUT of all the players on this team that have put the team in a hole, it’s this player that I think has the potential and skills to actually be much, much better. He might even have the talent to be a super-star.
Looking around the Rockies besides Jimenez and maybe Fowler and Iannetta to lesser degrees, is there game changing, team carrying super-star young talent anywhere? I’d say no. The Rockies NEED Tulo to be great, and be that guy.
But he needs to have a consistent batting stance, and it changes from AB to AB now. He needs to be humble to take coaching. And he needs to not listen to the “Tulo chant” It was a wonderful organic thing, but now when the fans do that at home, it’s like adding pressure to the kid. And from what I’ve seen he needs just the opposite. He needs to relax, breath…..and moves his damn left foot back.
I need to add a paragraph
I’m still not sold that he’s not the next Angel Berroa, or more accurately Khalil Greene. We might be sending a duck to eagle school here. BUT of all the players, that this team can’t afford to be mediocre or to bust it’s this guy. The Rockies really need him to be great.
And for the Rockies future….they must have this guy to live up to the hype. (right now, I think he’s the most over-rated player in baseball……but he has potential I hope to live up to that rating)
2 things
I feel bad about Tulo, I feel like 2008 broke his spirit, and he’s gone from fire to meh.
I don’t think anyone rates him as anything worthwhile at this point other than us, so he might be the most overrated player….on purple row?
Matt Murton status: Freed
Garrett Atkins status: Not Traded
Clint Hurdle status: Still Employed by the Rockies
by Andrew Martin on May 11, 2009 9:43 AM MDT up reply actions
"Overrated" is a bit much
Unless you’re thinking he’s on the Reyes-Ramirez-Rollins tier of shortstops, which I don’t think anybody thinks, here or nationally.
Tulo’s OPS+ is 105, and that’s even with his awful start. Say he gets that around 110-120 over a full season. Add that to a plus-plus glove at short. Isn’t that a hell of a good player? Maybe not ‘perennial, automatic All-Star’, but if 115 OPS+ and Gold Glove D is Tulo’s ceiling – and I still don’t see why it shouldn’t be – isn’t that a player we’ll be damn glad to have on our side?
I think his awesome rookie season inflated expectations for him to the point where we figured he’d be hitting .330 with 35+ jacks a season already by now, but he’s just not that guy. I think the guy he is is still pretty good – and at age 24, I still think the future holds the very best for him.
Staying on the sunny side of Blake Street since 1993.
The Shawn Chacon Experience - Life as a Rockies fan, one day at a time: Because we're all still recovering from those nine blown saves.
Agreed
I retain an indefatigable optimism for Tulo. He’ll be just fine. It may take a while, but it’ll get there.
I love Greg Reynolds and I may be slightly ashamed to admit it.
by Silverblood on May 11, 2009 10:22 AM MDT up reply actions
I'm agreeing with you on a lot of stuff lately, nemesis.
This being one part of that. I think I need to get my head checked out. Time to call the shrink.
I know
Weird, isn’t it?
I guess now that we’re allied, we can get back to staking RMN out for the eagles to eat his liver.
I love Greg Reynolds and I may be slightly ashamed to admit it.
by Silverblood on May 11, 2009 10:28 AM MDT up reply actions
For what?
It’s not as if he gave fire to humans.
"If we never try, we shall never succeed." - Abraham Lincoln
Purple Row - Covering all your Rockies needs!
yes but I called them harpies
so therefore they must
see, I suggested they go for the Eos-Cephalus/Tithonus treatment
but then they’d have a VERY angry future-mrs-RMN after them.
Matt Murton status: Freed
Garrett Atkins status: Not Traded
Clint Hurdle status: Still Employed by the Rockies
by Andrew Martin on May 11, 2009 11:13 AM MDT up reply actions
And you don't want to mess with an angry future-mrs-rmn
Red scares me
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on May 11, 2009 11:21 AM MDT up reply actions
SI.com article
Jon Heyman writes about the seat getting hotter under Clint Hurdle: Check it out
Staying on the sunny side of Blake Street since 1993.
The Shawn Chacon Experience - Life as a Rockies fan, one day at a time: Because we're all still recovering from those nine blown saves.
I think Atkins needs to do something here
He should realize that he won’t be in this league long if his bat continues to slide. He needs to go back to his fundamentals. If I were him, I would talk to management and see if they would consider designating him for assignment. He really needs a month or two in the minors to see if he can’t fix whatever is bothering him.
I know that Ian has been less than impressive, but I feel that we haven’t had much of a chance to truly evaluate him yet, mostly because he has been skipping around the field and hasn’t been given a set role. Either way, I will take his bat and his defensive game over Atkins right now. The only problem is that leaves us week at 2B, because the only player I trust less at the plate right now is Barmes. If we do send Atkins down, we would probably call up Eric Young Jr. He has had a bit of a slump recently, but he is still batting well down in the springs.
Another factor to consider would be Helton. I think Helton has proven to be healthy and productive. However, he will still need to be given more days off than an average starter. Sending Atkins down will probably improve us on days where Helton sits. We would probably move Hawpe back to 1B.
Atkins doesn't need to be sent down
He isn’t 23 and trying to work on fundamentals. His bat speed has slowed and he’s nearing 30. He needs MLB help and that’s about all. He needs to be traded or released.
I agree with pretty much everything else you say.
My concern, in general, is that if we keep Hawpe around to replace Helton, we’re continuing the logjam in the OF, unless we trade Spilborghs. And even then, we’ll have Gonzalez knocking at the back door the entire time.
Matt Murton status: Freed
Garrett Atkins status: Not Traded
Clint Hurdle status: Still Employed by the Rockies
by Andrew Martin on May 11, 2009 11:30 AM MDT up reply actions
Trading him or releasing him are two options hat can't be done
He is, at this point, untradeable. Nobody would be willing to give up an asset for him. And releasing him would mean that we would pay him to be the Yankees backup 3B. That isn’t really what we want. Besides, you never know when we might actually need him ( I would prefer to call him up from AAA over Colonel).
And it’s not like older players have never gone down to AAA to fix a problem. It may be that he is slowing down, or maybe he has a big flaw that he could work on. Either way, we would know after a month in the springs.
I think the M's would trade Beltre.....
for Atkins straight-up. Both have had horrid starts, but Beltre’s contract comes off the books after this season. He’s in his walk year, and the last time he was playing for a contract he hit 50 homers. If we did this straight-up trade now, we could see Beltre get his bat hot, and then deal him in July for prospects. At least he’s a better fielder than Atkins.
one problem with this
is that Beltre makes $13 mill his year. The Rockies are looking to cut salary, not add to it. If the Mariners wanted to kick in money to off set the difference ($6 mill for the full year) than yeah it’s possible.
and this would make the deal impossible from our end.
Unless the popularity fairy comes and visits the Rox in the next few weeks.
The M's would never make that deal.
There is almost no benefit to them except for the $5 million in salary relief. I know that’s not small potatoes, but they’d be getting an across the board inferior player in return, particularly on defense and the less likely player to rebound this season. I think you’ve got to shoot your sights considerably lower.
With some imagination....
this trade could be completed. The M’s could share the cost differential with the Rockies, who admittedly would be getting an overall upgrade in Beltre. And while we aren’t inclined to add to payroll, we could slash it months later if we did the trade today by simply trading Beltre and his Coorsflated stats to a contender.
Atkins is in extended decline now and is deadwood. I think we all agree on that. Beltre is simply slumping and Safeco Field hurts him. A return to the NL West would likely boost his numbers, especially coming here. That would either help us get back into the race, or help us gain a prospect in a couple months.
For the M’s, they save money, get a “credible” player signed through 2010, and if they still balk, we could toss in a prospect such as Brian Rike or the like (i.e. a future major league, but non-factor for us who is years away and probably not part of our future).
It is IMAGINATION that this front office lacks but sorely needs right now. This type of deal is one example of how a creative FO could kick-start us a little bit for not much financial risk. It’ll never happen, but just sayin’.
Your assuming that the M's need to shed salary
I’m not sure they need too. Also, they know that Atkins is a lesser player who sill still get a raise after this year.
Neither team would do anything like this.
actually the M's do
need to shed some salary. They came out this off season and said they lost money last year (granted they had a much higher payroll, and losing Ibanez and Sexton helped)
Just about every team lost money last year
But that doesn’t necessarily mean they are looking to shed payrole. Especially if it means that they are picking Atkins up to do it.
Not sure where to jump in here
BUT for me, Reading Between the Lines, I think Atkins will be traded at some point though he doesn’t have much value. The Rockies might have to throw in a little cash as Atkins isn’t worth his contract nor any worth returning a prospect. But if the Rox could save $ 2 million, they would take it in a heart beat.
Also, same with Hawpe. He’s got the biggest contract in the OF. If they feel that CarGo is ready (and I think they do) than Hawpe and his contract gets moved.
Next big contract: Houston Street. Nice bullpen arm, but closers aren’t much use to last place teams. He could return something too, when a contender loses their closer to injury (happens every year to someone)
I think we will see a budget trim this summer. The Rockies are really hurting for cash, and it’s easier to get rid of Hawpe, and save money then it is to cut a part-time, seasonal person in the ticket office or on the food service staff.
You're not lumping Hawpe and Atkins togethere as just dead money, right?
I’d rather not bank on CarGo if Hawpe is already a stud, and an affordable one at that.
Matt Murton status: Freed
Garrett Atkins status: Not Traded
Clint Hurdle status: Still Employed by the Rockies
by Andrew Martin on May 11, 2009 11:59 AM MDT up reply actions
no not dead money
just biggest contracts and the Rockies are desperate to trim costs from what I’m hearing. Hawpe ($5.5 mill) would actually be movable and might have value, and he’s got a perceived league minimum replacement. (League Minimum is $400,000)
From Biz of Baseball, Salaries (thanks to Purple Row Academy!) Go down to page 5.
Other names that would not shock me if they were traded: Aaron Cook ($9.3 mil), Jason Marquis ($9.8 mil) , Alan Embree ($2 mil)
Atkins salary for this year is $ 7 million.
Losing the starting pitching is what would hurt the team the most.
And losing Embree would actually leave the team in a bit of a spot as well.
The big problem with a fire sale this season is that there’s going to be a glut of similar available players out there, and it’s going to take a particularly shrewd GM to get the best return. You look at Arizona as likely to sell off Doug Davis and Jon Garland or Detroit who will have to pare Magglio Ordonez, or the White Sox with Jermaine Dye, and it undercuts the value of Hawpe or Cook or Marquis. I’m not looking forward to this at all when it gets to that point, that’s why a strong start was so important this year.
Jon Garland
Do Want
Matt Murton status: Freed
Garrett Atkins status: Not Traded
Clint Hurdle status: Still Employed by the Rockies
by Andrew Martin on May 11, 2009 12:46 PM MDT up reply actions
he's coming back to chicago
Don't say nothing about A.J. Pierzynski without good cause , even if you do have one i will still kick your butt. I'm young woman and like every other man you're a pure idiot. next question
by pierzynskirules on May 11, 2009 5:22 PM MDT up reply actions
The problem I have
is it starts a negative spiral. The Rockies got off to a bad start, lose walk up fans and need to cut salaries, so they trade players and many of them are quality players that are proven with value, so the team will probably lose more, and around it goes.
And baseball, like a mirror to the overall economy, the rich will get richer, the middle class will suffer and the poor will stay poor and get further from the top.
I know, it's true
Hawpe is REALLY affordably signed, it makes me sad to think that with his big bat and atrocious defense, Gonzalez might not be a big dropoff in overall value. Especially if that plate discipline carries over, at least in part.
Matt Murton status: Freed
Garrett Atkins status: Not Traded
Clint Hurdle status: Still Employed by the Rockies
by Andrew Martin on May 11, 2009 12:46 PM MDT up reply actions
He's not THAT affordably signed, you know...
especially since we can replace a bunch of his production at a much cheaper salary AND we have a glut of good outfielders. Plus there’s LOL COORZ argument.
Yes, compared to outfielders with similar production and service time, Hawpe might be a relative bargain, but considering the Rockies’ financial and baseball situations Hawpe is a luxury the Rockies can’t afford.
Eschew Obfuscation!
Define Luxury, I guess
He’s pretty much our best batter, and our 2nd most valuable player (just based on Fangraphs’ values)
OBSERRRRRRRRVE
http://www.fangraphs.com/winss.aspx?team=Rockies&pos=all&stats=bat&qual=0&type=6&season=2009&month=0
Matt Murton status: Freed
Garrett Atkins status: Not Traded
Clint Hurdle status: Still Employed by the Rockies
by Andrew Martin on May 11, 2009 2:10 PM MDT up reply actions
Luxury:
Paying someone at a position of strength and depth $5.5 million in one year to produce at a level only slightly higher than a replacement that is ten times less expensive.
Bottom Line: Hawpe is a highly-paid player at a replaceable position when the Rockies have several capable replacements. Hence, a luxury.
Eschew Obfuscation!
The problem
is converting that luxury into a helpful part (bullpen? prospect?). I’m not so sure this can be readily done in the current environment.
"Better move your rental cars, I am about to take BP."
-Glendon Rusch
He's going to be more than slightly higher than replacement
He’s about middle of the pack in terms of value, according to fangraphs
AGAIN OBSERVE
http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=rf&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=y&type=6&season=2009&month=0
Matt Murton status: Freed
Garrett Atkins status: Not Traded
Clint Hurdle status: Still Employed by the Rockies
by Andrew Martin on May 11, 2009 3:53 PM MDT up reply actions
I'm not saying he's not valuable (though you probably think he's more valuable than I do)...
but that doesn’t make him any less replaceable considering our depth in the outfield and financial situation.
Even the chart shows him as being worth only $2.9 million…actually, this is my next step in PR Academy. You’ll see. It’ll be epic.
Eschew Obfuscation!
remember it's a counting thing
At that pace (which should be taken with a massive grain of salt) he’ll be worth around 17M by season’s end. I really don’t think CarGon is gonna be worth that for a couple of years.
Also a bat like that at 1B ifwhen Helton retires…
I think we COULD trade him, but I want to keep him around.
Matt Murton status: Freed
Garrett Atkins status: Not Traded
Clint Hurdle status: Still Employed by the Rockies
by Andrew Martin on May 11, 2009 4:07 PM MDT up reply actions
Haven't we
had this replacement debate for Helton before? Hawpe, Atkins, Iannetta, McKenry etc…
"Better move your rental cars, I am about to take BP."
-Glendon Rusch
it's not really meant to be the debate over Helton
It’s what to do with Hawpe – do we tie up the outfield longer so he can take over 1B in a couple of seasons, or do we trade him now and replace Helton with Whoever
Matt Murton status: Freed
Garrett Atkins status: Not Traded
Clint Hurdle status: Still Employed by the Rockies
by Andrew Martin on May 11, 2009 5:48 PM MDT up reply actions
Why would you be wanting to dump Hawpe's salary
when he is one of the few bats that is actually producing?
Baseball players are smarter than football players. How often do you see a baseball team penalized for too many men on the field?
Author: Jim Bouton
His replacement
would be Carlos Gonzales, who would make the league minimum That’s a savings over the year’s salary of almost $5 mil. When you are talking cutting $8 an hour food people, $5 mill looks HUGE.
Plus Hawpe has value, cause he IS producing and his contract is reasonable, especially to the rich/elite 8 teams
I’m not saying “I” want to dump him by the way.
I suggested trading him
not dumping him. Dump Atkins. Dump Baker. Dump dead weight.
Hawpe, you would trade if there was an excellent, young offer on the table.
Matt Murton status: Freed
Garrett Atkins status: Not Traded
Clint Hurdle status: Still Employed by the Rockies
by Andrew Martin on May 11, 2009 2:24 PM MDT up reply actions
Fine line betwen "dump" and "trade"q
but I agree.
What the Rockies fear right now…is another cash call. They had 2 not that long ago. Having a 3rd this year would be devastating.
For those that don’t know: A cash call is when a business is in the red, and can’t pay bills and they have to get cash from it’s owners. The board meets and says every owner has to come up with money based on a % of their ownership share. If the owner doesn’t they forfeit their ownership share (usually sold to another person that can pay the cash call)
we're on the same page here, no worries
Matt Murton status: Freed
Garrett Atkins status: Not Traded
Clint Hurdle status: Still Employed by the Rockies
by Andrew Martin on May 11, 2009 3:54 PM MDT up reply actions
I had this thought
the other day. Before people would have been pissed if they would have traded Atkins. Now I wouldn’t be sad if he were DFA’d. I’d like to give him some more time, and hope he comes around, but wouldn’t be sad.
"Better move your rental cars, I am about to take BP."
-Glendon Rusch
I feel something needs to be said, even if it sounds like a weird excuse
I am watching Stewie’s AB’s and I am just seeing some tremendously tough pitches being thrown to him, along w/ some very difficult calls going against him on borderline pitches. I know, I know he needs to protect w/ 2 strikes and be aggressive, but I am seeing a guy that is trying to be patient, but seems to be consistently behind in the count. For example, the strikeout pitch in his pinch hit AB on Saturday, that definitely looked down and away.
I do think he needs to get aggressive and be looking early for a pitch to drive, but some guys just get in a funk when pitchers are making good pitches against them. I hope he busts out soon. I am a big fan of his, so I hope I am not sounding like I’m being too biased here.
It takes a big man to cry, but it takes a bigger man to laugh at that man.
Your not being too biased
I agree with it. He seems to be taking the wrong pitches, and getting some unlucky calls. Also, I can’t imagine how hard it is to play 4 roles on the team each week (starting 2B, stating 3B, Staring outfield, Pinch hitter). Give the kid a defined role (starting 3B) and see what happens.
Is it bad that I'm checking MLB Trade Rumors
Like every couple of hours to see if Hurdle’s been fired yet?
Matt Murton status: Freed
Garrett Atkins status: Not Traded
Clint Hurdle status: Still Employed by the Rockies
Hallucinogenic unreal fantasies are ruling your life.
You might want to double check your “multivitamins”
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on May 11, 2009 5:36 PM MDT up reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Purple Row
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Big League Stew - MLB - Yahoo! Sports
- Pitcher Clayton Richard gets key pinch single in 13th after coming in 0 for 16
- Livan Hernandez welcomes ball boy to the bigs with shower of sunflower seeds (VIDEO)
- Man beaten by four others in Dodger Stadium parking lot
- Lance Berkman’s knee injury creates a lot of questions for Cards but also his career
- Next generation: Scott Van Slyke, son of Andy Van Slyke, hits first career homer
