Friday Rockpile: Rockies return to Denver for much needed 10-game homestand

by Russ Oates on Jul 3, 2009 7:58 AM MDT in Rockpile

Rox have comfortable schedule coming | ColoradoRockies.com: News
The Rockies return to Coors Field for some extended playing time.

Tracy's demeanor key to Rockies' turnaround - The Denver Post
Look at the photo for this article. It's funny.

Rockies bullish on new bullpen - The Denver Post
The turnaround for this bullpen has help stabilized the team, especially with how Jim Tracy has handled his use of it.

Barmes, Tulowitzki making harmony in middle of defense - The Denver Post
Now that Clint Barmes and Tulo are receiving regular playing time together, the up-the-middle defense is clicking well.

Inside the Colorado Rockies " Morales or De La Rosa? Who’s No. 5?
Get out your pencils and be prepared to mark your answer for this one question Scantron test Tracy Ringolsby wants you to take on the De La Rosa-Morales quandary.

Ken Rosenthal's ASG Rosters - - FOX Sports on MSN
In his latest All-Star game projections, Ken Rosenthal has Chris Iannetta as the second catcher on the NL team and Brad Hawpe as part of the starting outfield. Jason Marquis and Huston Street miss out, as well as Troy Tulowitzki because a Cub needs to be on the roster.

Baseball America Prospects Blog " Chapman Reportedly Leaves Cuban Team
Probably won't hear about the Rockies being involved with this guy.

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The Nationals are changing course and going the Rockies route...

GM Mike Rizzo:

“We did a lot of background work on Nyjer and on Sean,” Rizzo said. “We heard nothing but good things about them, how they conduct themselves like professionals, their character and the way they are in the clubhouse.”

I know Ringolsby and a few other reporters saw the problems with collecting a bunch of high talent headcases, while the Internet community mostly applauded the moves to bring in Dukes and Milledge and Johnson (not so much a headcase as a poorly conditioned player) and others, and now the team is doing a complete 180 on the Bowden model.

It’s a good move, and I actually think I’m alone in the thought that the Nats will wind up getting more value from the Milledge trade than Pittsburgh does, not that there’s much value to be dispersed from that trade either way. If you have a lot of money, like the Dodgers, Red Sox, Yankees, Mets or Cubs, you can afford to sweep a lot of those character issues under the rug. If you’re on a budget, you can’t. Sometime soon I’ll have my next big post (probably going to be broken up into multiple posts) about the Rockies and how they’ve been doing some things right in this, and missing out on other opportunities at the same time, but in the meantime, it’s interesting to see another team go that direction.

I think a big part of the issue of why Arizona’s been struggling lately is actually missing Rizzo’s influence in the FO and in the draft.

by Rox Girl on Jul 3, 2009 8:52 AM MDT reply actions

Favoring the Nats' side of the trade

I actually think I’m alone in the thought that the Nats will wind up getting more value from the Milledge trade than Pittsburgh does

Did you see Dave Cameron’s two posts on fangraphs and all the flak he took as a result? He likely isn’t taking the same angle as you but he (and others actually) did like the trade from the Nats side and liked what the Nats got. If nothing else, people liked that Morgan has a chance to plug the gaping hole that is their CF defense.

Free Seth Smith!

by FooMan on Jul 3, 2009 10:31 AM MDT up reply actions

Oh good, I'm not alone...

I didn’t read Cameron’s posts. I like Morgan’s skills, defensively, and also that he doesn’t give away AB’s, Milledge does. So I guess that I should amend it in saying that I think I’m alone in thinking the Nats could very well get more value on offense in this trade than Pittsburgh. I don’t think people realize how bad heads can be so detrimental to players’ careers. There are exceptions that go on to reach their potential or at least close to it like Manny and Albert Belle or players that turn themselves around from self destruction like Hamilton, but these are more exceptions. Milledge is 24 now and I’m not sure what kind of career people are expecting from him, but his prima donna act has put him way behind in his development and it will take another season or two for him to even become an average player barring a seismic shift in the way he thinks and goes about his profession. I really think Pittsburgh’s making some serious mistakes with their rebuild, and don’t see a light at the end of this tunnel anytime soon. If it is there, like I mentioned in the FanShot for this trade, it’s going to be very brief, one season in 2011 before flaming again in another stretch of futility.

by Rox Girl on Jul 3, 2009 10:55 AM MDT up reply actions

statheads and age

The other thing is that I think statheads go a little crazy sometimes when a player produces at a very young age. It’s definitely a good sign if you’re looking for a high ceiling player, but I think they hang onto it too long, ignoring evidence to the contrary. I think some of these people would still sign Austin Kearns if they suddenly became GM’s.

You probably saw that Syzmborski liked the trade for the Pirates, but more because Morgan is already 29.

Free Seth Smith!

by FooMan on Jul 3, 2009 11:36 AM MDT up reply actions

Today is also

Greg Reynolds’ birthday.

And tomorrow I’m going to the fireworks game. And I get Cookie. So that’s good.

I love Greg Reynolds. Deal with it, suckers.

by Silverblood on Jul 3, 2009 9:34 AM MDT reply actions

Didn't know you were back over.

Welcome back.

Anyone going to see the fireworks tonight? I was trying to get up to see Wilco at Redrocks but dunno if it’ll happen.

Funny Dog to Make Life Worthwhile

by frightened inmate #2 on Jul 3, 2009 9:51 AM MDT up reply actions

I Am!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by mkorpal on Jul 3, 2009 9:56 AM MDT up reply actions

Got home 4 or 5 days ago

(already can’t remember)…. and will be making up for it with several games in July. I’d appreciate getting matters started off tomorrow with another 17 or 18-run effort before the fireworks.

I love Greg Reynolds. Deal with it, suckers.

by Silverblood on Jul 3, 2009 10:02 AM MDT up reply actions

Without being down by 9 first though

"We made too many wrong mistakes." ~Yogi Berra
"The ballplayer who loses his head, who can't keep his cool, is worse than no ballplayer at all." ~Lou Gehrig
JFK

by jrockies on Jul 3, 2009 10:44 AM MDT up reply actions

I am going! Tomorrow, too.

by Rockie4Ever on Jul 3, 2009 10:46 AM MDT up reply actions

Hope you have good tickets.

"If we never try, we shall never succeed." - Abraham Lincoln

Purple Row - Covering all your Rockies needs!

by Russ Oates on Jul 3, 2009 10:04 AM MDT up reply actions

Rosenthal's picks

I was pleased with the Rockie love overall, but kind of surprised. I think Ianetta’s had a slower start thatn we anticipated, so I would be pleasantly surprised if he got the nod.

But no Marquis, huh? This is where I want the “pitching at Coors” to get as much recognition for how tough it is, vs. the hitting at Coors and how….ahem….easy it is.

Funny Dog to Make Life Worthwhile

by frightened inmate #2 on Jul 3, 2009 9:56 AM MDT reply actions

I don't think he has to be so apologetic about Theriot

He’s pretty close to Tulo on the “I’m voting on the basis of 70-80 current season games” model, and also if you back it up to include the previous year. As a Rockies fan I’m glad Tulo’s rebounded to the point that he’s even in the conversation. However, he seems really streaky this year, so if we waited another few weeks to make AS selections, who knows what his case would look like.

It’s nice for Iannetta to get some recognition (the WBC nod was great). I think he’ll get overlooked by a lot of folks due to his low BA.

Free Seth Smith!

by FooMan on Jul 3, 2009 10:36 AM MDT up reply actions

But money doesn't necessarily mean WS rings

You might be able to turn a blind eye to character flaws, but it doesn’t necessarily correlate to winning. Obviously, the NY Yankees are the poster children for that. At the same time, it doesn’t mean that all high-priced talent should be equated with the Manny-wood chronicles – Albert Pujols comes to mind.

Interestingly, after the failed Hampton-Nagel experiment, what the Rockies have accomplished should be the model for the “lesser” market teams (teams not residing in NY, Boston, Chicago, or LA). But alas, the Scott Boras-es of the world keep throwing a monkey wrench into the operation.

by SoxRoxFan on Jul 3, 2009 10:02 AM MDT reply actions