Sunday Rockpile: Russ Ortiz tries for 2007 Mark Redman impression, Jason Giambi, Tim Lincecum and more
by Rox Girl on Aug 23, 2009 10:12 AM MDT
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PrintFirst of all, in case you've missed the various discussions about the team's coming acquistions:
Rockies to sign Ortiz; Giambi deal close | ColoradoRockies.com: News
Yep, Russ Ortiz. You can probably put his name in the Purple Row search box to see my feelings about him as a pitcher, but the Redman precedent has taught me never to underestimate the power of Dinger hexes in making crummy pitchers good for us for a little while. We'll need a particularly strong one for this case, though.
That Rocktober feeling coming back, but don't think Rockies are the big dog in town just yet
If you need any confirmation where Denver's sports loyalties lie, check out the Post website's front page this morning. One team loses a meaningless exhibition while another wins a key contest over a rival with serious playoff implications. Guess which is more newsworthy to Denver fans? I'm not blaming the Post's editors for this, they know what's going to sell them newspapers, and it might take another couple of playoff teams for the Rockies to be more important than the Broncos preseason in the city.
Kiszla: Intoxicating feel returns to Coors - The Denver Post
Meek vs the Freak?
This afternoon the Rockies play against the best pitcher in baseball for the first time this season, but as Andrew Baggarly notes in the San Jose Mercury News, there's respect, but not much fear among Rockies hitters about the task in front of them. Well, this Patrick Saunders article indicates maybe a little worry from Ian Stewart, but the way Stewart had been hitting before last night's game tying HR, Russ Ortiz would probably make Stewart nervous to face.
Rockies still wishing NL would adopt DH rule for this season
Smith continues to produce for Rockies in a pinch role - The Denver Post
I wish there was a good way to acknowledge the great work Seth Smith has done as a pinch hitter for the Rockies this season without implying that's his calling in life. Smith's a professional hitter, capable of being an above average starter as a corner outfielder. The Rockies have four such players, but like every other team, only three slots for them. They also have Ryan Spilborghs and three more outfielders in AAA or AA that are capable of being quality MLB reserves. It's an embarrassment of riches which could help the Rockies come World Series time.
The Rockies lead the NL in pinch hitting production at .305/.414/.525 and second place, Atlanta at .257/.402/.407 isn't particularly close. Smith, in 41 pinch hit plate appearances has more extra base hits (8) than Milwaukee's entire team does (7) in 174 pinch hit PA's.
Other:
- The Rockies made the trade of the season before the season says the LA Times.
- Moss: Rox success dances to a Latin rhythm - The Denver Post
-
Matzek, the 11th overall pick, said he was eager to make it back to cavernous Coors Field, which the humidor has helped turn into a decent pitcher's park, saying: "My philosophy is if they can't hit it, they can't hit it far."
From the USA Today write up of our signing of Tyler Matzek.
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Post is just going to it's audience
as of this writing the Broncos game story had 396 postings. The Rockies win…..8
I think this is a matter of the Post
pushing the Broncos..they always have..My goodness, the Post is still writing about Jay Cutler’s departure and his doings with DaBEARS, even after the did their best to run him out of town…
Where is the Rocky Mountain News when you need it?:(
Also, I really do NOT Spilly
this Giambi move. Team chemistry is huge!! Don’t fix what ain’t entirely broke…
He will just be added
and no one will be removed for him. I was shocked to hear about it yesterday, but the idea has grown on me a bit. One extra pinch hitter for the 6th inning is fine, saving Smith, Spilly, or whoever is sitting that day for a later innings role. Plus, it is one extra LH batter for a bench that only has 1, plus Q who is never used and at this point probably shouldn’t be since he is so out of practice. As long as he isn’t pinch hitting in the bottom of the ninth as the tie or go ahead run while one of the guys already with the team watches, I am ok with it.
by realmenwearpurple on Aug 23, 2009 10:39 AM MDT up reply actions
No one from the current 25 man squad will be removed for him*
I forgot a few words. Of course someone has to be removed from 40 man, but as RoxGirl has pointed out, Reynolds can go to the 60 day DL.
by realmenwearpurple on Aug 23, 2009 10:40 AM MDT up reply actions
I don't like it much, either
One strike against him is that he looked finished. Of course, he’s come back before, too. But he’s 38.
I guess my main issue is I don’t see there being enough AB’s to go around now, and I’d prefer not to spend them figuring out if he still has it.
However, it’s probably a low-impact move either way.
Leave Dexter alone! You're lucky he even performs for you!
Does he still have it?
I think that question will be answered when he travels to altitude at Colorado Springs. This will help the Rockies make decisions based on how he does there. If he doesn’t he won’t be with the club, it should be pretty simple.
"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
The story doesn't sound as conditional as that, though
Giambi’s a funny guy. He can look horrible and then hit a tape measure shot. He’s looked done several times since his the “viral infection” he suffered several years ago. And hitting at the Springs is one thing, hitting in the majors is another.
Leave Dexter alone! You're lucky he even performs for you!
Just say'n...
but it wasn’t too long ago this guy was the face of the JUICED generation. Doesn’t seem to be too much of an issue any more.
TGFPR!!
Texas is 10-10 in their last 20
Though they are a good story. I’m not sure I’ve forgiven them for the stolen MVP awards, though.
The red hot teams are the Angels and the Yankees (last night’s game notwithstanding). Both teams (the Yankees especially) are just bludgeoning other teams.
Leave Dexter alone! You're lucky he even performs for you!
Lincecum
Andrew Baggarly notes in the San Jose Mercury News, there’s respect, but not much fear among Rockies hitters about the task in front of them
Well, clearly none of these guys (besides Helton) are bashful about striking out.
(I know, I know, they’ve done well against Lincecum in the 8 starts.)
Leave Dexter alone! You're lucky he even performs for you!
Is anyone else just
giddy about today’s matchup? I have to admit Lincecum is my favorite non Rockie pitcher :). And I’m looking forward to our hitters ripping him to shreds :)
GO ROCKIES
hellyeahh
big big game should be fun!
we seem to have gotten over that HURDLE
"TuLoRocks2008 had the most comments I've seen in any game thread this year (322)...Can such a feat be eclipsed?" ..... Bring it on!!
by TuLoRocks2008 on Aug 23, 2009 11:58 AM MDT up reply actions
On Giambi,
He was used wrong in Oakland. He was told he was going to DH half the time and ended up playing first base almost all of the time. I dont have the link but Mark Ellis pretty much threw the A’s under the bus when asked if he thought Giambi could catch on with another team and be productive. Ellis said “If used the right way, he could be very productive.”
Giambi was never hurt in Oakland but banged up the whole season. He was second or third in games played behind Holliday and Orlando Cabrera. At 38 years old that just isnt too smart. He isnt the type of player to ask for days off when his team is getting beat day in and day out. He will be a HUGE addition to your team. In the clubhouse and on the field. I can promise you that.
Coming to the NL, to Coors Field will definitely help as well.
Look at how Holliday’s numbers spiked by getting out of McAfee. I really think Giambi will be fine.
Giambi vs Helton
Though it is close, Giambi in my opinion was slightly better than Helton at his peak. I am totally happy with this move, if only for September.
Giambi was an admitted juicer at his peak, you really can't make a comparison
You can probably guess my feelings about that aspect of him. But I’ll try to keep an open mind!
Okay so, I'm still not comfortable with this Giambi thing
If he hits well off the bench….does this mean he gets some starts at 1B to spell Helton? And if so what does this bode for Atty?
Probably not...
I think it’s pretty much PH only that the Rockies want him for. Maybe in case Helton’s hurt or something that comes into play, but usually the team would want to rest Helton vs. LHP’s, meaning Atkins would still get the nod ahead of Giambi.
Did anyone catch this?
In the San Jose Mercury News article:
“We’re not expecting to lose tomorrow just because he’s pitching,” Rockies star pinch hitter Seth Smith said.
I’d say. :)
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