Rockies to add more firepower: Russ Ortiz and Jason Giambi

by Milehighrockies on Aug 23, 2009 12:19 AM MDT

The Colorado Rockies are poised to add one more glove and a former MVP to the team. Russ Ortiz, former Astros hurler, a relief pitcher who will be asked to shut down batters late in the game to get to Huston Street. Colorado is seeking one more arm to get a batter out late in games.

Former American League MVP, Jason Giambi is talking with the Colorado Rockies about a pitch-hit role on the team. Stay tuned!

Eat. Drink. Be Merry. But the above FanPost does not necessarily reflect the attitudes, opinions, or views of Purple Row's staff (unless, of course, it's written by the staff [and even then, it still might not]).

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by Andrew T. Fisher on Aug 23, 2009 1:44 AM MDT reply actions

And while the Ortiz news may have been new

the Giambi news had been posted before the end of the game last night. Be sure to scroll around a bit (scroll around, scroll around, scroll buttons 2.0) and see what we’re already covering.

Welcome and good luck!

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by Andrew Martin on Aug 23, 2009 8:55 AM MDT up reply actions

The Russ Ortiz news is a good new update

Expand a bit if you get a chance. He was an ace level starting pitcher for the Giants back when they went to the World Series. Like Betancourt, he’s a good veteran pitcher. I have not seen him pitch lately, but I like the guy and approve the trade.

I’m not so sure if I like Jason Giambi or not. The Rockies already have a few good pinch hitters. Guess a few more wouldn’t hurt.

by Mr. Rockie on Aug 23, 2009 6:35 PM MDT reply actions

That was 2004

Ortiz could be a passable starter, his K rate is about average, and his HR9 sure ain’t bad, but he’s walking WAYYYY too many guys to really be effective.

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by Andrew Martin on Aug 23, 2009 7:06 PM MDT up reply actions

er 2002

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by Andrew Martin on Aug 23, 2009 7:07 PM MDT up reply actions

Ortiz

It has been a long, long time since Ortiz was any good. I don’t like this—unless he never pitches for the Rockies.

by DenverBears on Aug 24, 2009 8:24 AM MDT up reply actions

He's pretty much emergency depth

and/or potential inning-eating during September

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by Andrew Martin on Aug 24, 2009 9:34 AM MDT up reply actions

He could always stay in Colorado Springs in September

And take Chacin or Hynick’s spot in the rotation if/when they are called up in September. It could be a move for that, so that the Sky Sox have a chance in the playoffs.

by bballrox4717 on Aug 24, 2009 12:37 PM MDT up reply actions

RockiesMagicNumber

I read your post in Counting Rocks about Apodoca and the way he works with older pitchers (great article by the way). Do you think Apodoca will work with Ortiz ?

by butterfly on Aug 24, 2009 11:41 AM MDT reply actions

I don't think Ortiz is much of a guy to "work with" at this point

I mean, sure, he could, but ortiz has never really displayed the kinds of talents that Marquis has. Ortiz has never had a plus fastball, always had to rely on a slider and curve to keep himself worthwhile. And even then it hasn’t been worth much.

Thing is, Apodaca worked with Marquis pretty strongly during the spring, and probably over part of the winter as well.

What made Marquis a good candidate for recovery is that he has a history of being a sinkerballer with a good groundball% who played in systems prior to Colorado that didn’t really stress that element of his game.

Ortiz is more of a flyball pitcher, nothing much to speak of there.

So long story short, he sure could, but it’s kind of pointless, there’s not much to reclaim.

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by Andrew Martin on Aug 24, 2009 1:23 PM MDT up reply actions