Friday Rockpile: Our Souls to Take
by Greg Stanwood on Sep 24, 2010 7:00 AM MDT
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PrintFor five months, I was very impressed with our pitching staff, particularly our bullpen which broke out of the gate in a positive condition I never expected. Unfortunately, as we enter the home stretch of the season, it becomes clear that the staff wore itself our keeping us afloat through the middle of the season, and as soon as we were poised to make a pivotal move, they were running on empty.
Managing a pitching staff has always struck me as a difficult task with all sorts of nuances that escape the surface, and therefore something that is seemingly out of reach to manage from the armchair. That said, I would definitely point to a couple of cases where the arm was overused. Matt Belisle, for instance, is a common example.
While I stand by what I said above, that our bullpen greatly outperformed my expectations, I believe that this must be specified a little bit. Belisle and Joe Beimel performed far above expectations this season, Rafael Betancourt's illness plagued time has been balanced out by godlike K/BB numbers and while Franklin Morales, Manuel Corpas and Huston Street all struggled this year at one point or another, they strung together an overall effective closer's role.
So what's the problem? Why did these guys get to where they are right now? The problem, in my eyes, is that while our bullpen found ways to be effective, it did not succeed at being diverse. In other words, as effective as our pen has been in their "designated" roles, they didn't put it together in entirety. They were a group of guys who mastered one niche spot per player, and worked under the assumption that that's all they needed to be counted on to do all season. Tracy played along this way, and this is why you saw someone like Belisle get 0overused; there was no one else trusted to be used there. So while our bullpen's pitching numbers looked pretty, I now believe we had a serious flaw regardless: a lack of diversity.
I'm going to make a bold, half-joke (but only half) claim: consistency killed the bullpen. This is sure to bother those of you that harp on the belief that keeping players in a specific role is not only helpful, but a necessity in producing optimum results. It's a half joke because it doesn't have to be true; after all, a consistent bullpen with just a few different opportunities in a few different places, perhaps a more inspired road offense or fewer injuries, and this flaw doesn't matter. But in our particular case, I believe the fact that we didn't have more than one good alternative for our games, particularly in the 7th and 8th inning, lays an incredibly large burden on our #1 guys in both physical and mental resources. And now the shotglasses are empty.
Now, after multiple acquisitions and minor league callups, which would seem just the answer we may have needed, we're lost in a sea of too many choices. While Octavio Dotel profiles as someone who can take that pressure off the Belisles and Betancourts of the pen, how much help can he really give in two weeks? Plus, in this case, it may already be too late for that difference to be made.
I'll be discussing bullpen a lot over the coming weeks and months as we head into next season, because I believe it will require a very different design than this year's, as effective as it was. I want to emphasize I'm not looking to 2011 for this rockpile of out of dejection over the last four games, as I am always looking ahead in terms of roster construction. So don't jump the gun and rag on me for writing a "welp, season's over" post designed to ruin your perfectly good morning (or, if you read this later on, noon/afternoon/evening/night/twilight). It's just where my mind is right now.
Just a pair of links below the jump on a slow Friday in the doldrums.
Troy Renck of the Denver Post takes a look at the hole we dug over the past series.
Thomas Harding of MLB.com runs through his newsroll, which includes a story about the forgotten Clint Barmes.
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ahhhhhhhhhhh, crud
lets sweep these Gints, get the bad taste outta our mouths
The Big Purple Machine will make a believer outta you!
That would be fun, but then I would get my hopes up again!
I don’t know if I am comfortable with that :-)
As an aside, did anyone notice that in ONE game CDI had 1/3 as many walks as Olivo has had since July 10! But he is a lost cause….
"My eyes! The goggles do nothing!" - Rainier Wolfcastle
by BittenAnkles on Sep 24, 2010 8:47 AM MDT up reply actions
And manage to throw the ball into left field
trying to throw out an imaginary runner at Third
The Big Purple Machine will make a believer outta you!
by El Paso Jeff on Sep 24, 2010 11:00 AM MDT up reply actions
Go, Rockies.
The OT: All that AND a bag of meat.
by frightened inmate #2 on Sep 24, 2010 8:45 AM MDT reply actions
... to the playoffs ...
… which requires winning …
… and nothing else …
… for the next ten days …
… or we can all find something else to do with our lives …
… like sell Death Sticks or something more enjoyable than playoffs without the Rockies ….
… Thank You …
This, my second signature, is not nearly as original as my first signature. Therefore, my signature pride is hereby lessened.
by trekinaz on Sep 24, 2010 8:48 AM MDT via mobile up reply actions
hehe
Death sticks….funny story:
In SF, as we’re walking to AT&T Park, the scalpers are, you know, “extra tickets?”. There was this one guy who said “HEY, YOU GOT ANY TICKETZ!?” in a gruff raspy voice so that it sounded exactly like “HEY, YOU WANNA BUY SOME DEATHSTICKS?!” on Star Wars Episode II. It was hilarious. After a couple yards we all started cracking up because we all knew what all of us was thinking. “No, we don’t have any extra tickets. You want to go home and rethink your life.”
I'm a BelieveR!!!
This is R year!
Uh, yeah, about that...
It ain't over 'til it's over, unless it's over, then I guess it really is over, then, huh? And that makes me sad. But it ain't over 'til its over.
by prettyinpurple on Sep 24, 2010 1:21 PM MDT via mobile up reply actions
Stats Question...
So I was checking up on what Omar Infante was doing with respect to the Batting Title and noticed that he is still listed as “Un-qualified”. However Tulo has been on the “Qualified” list for a few weeks but only has one (1) more at-bat than Infante. Why is Tulo qualified and Infante not? Also, Cargo leads Infante by 12 percentage points, so no need to worry in that department
"My eyes! The goggles do nothing!" - Rainier Wolfcastle
Infante would need to average 4.22 AB's per game in the last 9 games to qualify
but is only hitting .330 now
believeR
He'll still qualify because MLB will just 0 out the remaining PAs he would need
so his BA would drop because of it but he’ll still end up being on the list
by purplesocks on Sep 24, 2010 12:16 PM MDT up reply actions
Go Team?
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Proud Member of the PR gynocracy.
Go, Team
The OT: All that AND a bag of meat.
by frightened inmate #2 on Sep 24, 2010 9:44 AM MDT up reply actions
Go.
HOT DOG/PI PARTY IN 2012
Super Overlady Of the Ubaldo Lovers Club.
Proud Member of the PR gynocracy.
Git, you dumb dog.
/tear
I said git.
The OT: All that AND a bag of meat.
by frightened inmate #2 on Sep 24, 2010 9:47 AM MDT up reply actions
he he
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Proud Member of the PR gynocracy.
I blamed Octavio Dotel for us losing: 1-4 since he arrived and 0-4 since he first pitched. Jerk
The writer formerly known as Jabberwocky
READ and LEARN about the business of baseball at Purple Row Academy
Eschew Obfuscation!
I blame Oscar Meyer
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I blame Joe Saunders. I think he hit Tulo on purpose
and now Tulo’s playing with a severe bruise with swelling. Jerk.
2010 Colorado Zombies--It ain't over til it's over. So says Troy Torridwitzki
Brad Hawpe - Thanks Brad, you were a class act.Good luck with the Rays!
"You can learn a lot just by watching"-Yogi Berra
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Yep. It's a severe bruise. Tulo has to keep it wrapped to prevent the swelling from
affecting his knee.
2010 Colorado Zombies--It ain't over til it's over. So says Troy Torridwitzki
Brad Hawpe - Thanks Brad, you were a class act.Good luck with the Rays!
"You can learn a lot just by watching"-Yogi Berra
QPU #4, YHEG #4, Proud Member PR Gynocracy
I blame Dinger.
I'm a BelieveR!!!
This is R year!
Uh, yeah, about that...
It ain't over 'til it's over, unless it's over, then I guess it really is over, then, huh? And that makes me sad. But it ain't over 'til its over.
by prettyinpurple on Sep 24, 2010 1:16 PM MDT via mobile up reply actions
Blame the easiest target. . . .
Haven’t you learned anything in school?
"No Mission Too Difficult, No Sacrifice Too Great—Duty First" - 1st Infantry Division Motto
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no
My ma didn’t teach me any thing bout that yet.
I'm a BelieveR!!!
This is R year!
Uh, yeah, about that...
It ain't over 'til it's over, unless it's over, then I guess it really is over, then, huh? And that makes me sad. But it ain't over 'til its over.
by prettyinpurple on Sep 24, 2010 1:25 PM MDT via mobile up reply actions
I dont know why.
: )
I'm a BelieveR!!!
This is R year!
Uh, yeah, about that...
It ain't over 'til it's over, unless it's over, then I guess it really is over, then, huh? And that makes me sad. But it ain't over 'til its over.
by prettyinpurple on Sep 24, 2010 1:20 PM MDT via mobile up reply actions
I think this is a reasonable assessment.
He was pretty bad on Sunday.
2010 Colorado Zombies--It ain't over til it's over. So says Troy Torridwitzki
Brad Hawpe - Thanks Brad, you were a class act.Good luck with the Rays!
"You can learn a lot just by watching"-Yogi Berra
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Nice Baseball Prospecuts article (free) about the Rockies' second half tendencies:
The writer formerly known as Jabberwocky
READ and LEARN about the business of baseball at Purple Row Academy
Eschew Obfuscation!
cool article
thanks…
The Big Purple Machine will make a believer outta you!
by El Paso Jeff on Sep 24, 2010 10:58 AM MDT up reply actions
I especially like this quote:
Still, as Padres supporter Marc Normandin told me earlier, no NL West fan who’s followed the last few seasons will be entirely comfortable until the Rockies flatline—and even then, a Zombieland-style double-tap might be in order.
That was a very entertaining movie by the way…
"My eyes! The goggles do nothing!" - Rainier Wolfcastle
by BittenAnkles on Sep 24, 2010 11:58 AM MDT up reply actions
For the record, I think 9-1 could get it done now (so long as none of the losses are to SF)
Atlanta is in free fall and San Diego is still suspect. 91 could still get it done.
The writer formerly known as Jabberwocky
READ and LEARN about the business of baseball at Purple Row Academy
Eschew Obfuscation!
it’s still good, it’s still good
The OT: All that AND a bag of meat.
by frightened inmate #2 on Sep 24, 2010 9:48 AM MDT up reply actions
So you're telling me
There’s a chance!
"I am an optimist - it does not seem to be much use being anything else" - W. Churchill
by Rock Oax on Sep 24, 2010 10:36 AM MDT via mobile up reply actions
I beg to differ about part of this
Atlanta is not really in freefall, only against Phila. Prior to that series, they swept the Mets on the road.
ROCKTEMBER - Time for Some F***ing Guy to Shine
ROCKTEMBER - The month before we play Mora playoff games
ROCKTEMBER - The rest of you can settle for Festivus
by Mondogarage on Sep 24, 2010 11:15 AM MDT up reply actions
and prior to that they have struggled a lot
time to make another run to the postseason....get it going guys!!
Troy Tulowitzki: "When people think of the Rockies, I want them to think of a winning organization."
by TuLoRocks2008 on Sep 24, 2010 12:28 PM MDT up reply actions
They have struggled, and I sure hope they continue to do so, big time.
Best shot is the Nats take 2 of 3. I’d be down with that. Kills us that we picked up no ground on them this week, though.
ROCKTEMBER - Time for Some F***ing Guy to Shine
ROCKTEMBER - The month before we play Mora playoff games
ROCKTEMBER - The rest of you can settle for Festivus
by Mondogarage on Sep 24, 2010 12:31 PM MDT up reply actions
yep
i think the Braves will go 4-5 the rest of the way….1-2 vs Nats 2-1 vs Fish and 1-2 vs Phils
time to make another run to the postseason....get it going guys!!
Troy Tulowitzki: "When people think of the Rockies, I want them to think of a winning organization."
by TuLoRocks2008 on Sep 24, 2010 12:35 PM MDT up reply actions
and i think the Pads will go 5-5 the rest of the way
2-1 or 1-2 vs Reds…2-2 or 3-1 vs Cubs and 1-2 @ SF….so both of them i think will be 90-72…question is can we get to at least 90 to force tie breakers
time to make another run to the postseason....get it going guys!!
Troy Tulowitzki: "When people think of the Rockies, I want them to think of a winning organization."
by TuLoRocks2008 on Sep 24, 2010 12:36 PM MDT up reply actions
and yes it sucks that we made up no ground
but if you want to look at it this way…during that 10 game win streak there were 2 or 3 games we should not have won ( Last game of Reds and Dbacks series’ for sure)…and then on this 6 game road trip we sould of won i would say the Last game of the Dodgers series and the 2nd game of Dbacks series…so it is all even out…lets go out and win win win win win win win win win win
time to make another run to the postseason....get it going guys!!
Troy Tulowitzki: "When people think of the Rockies, I want them to think of a winning organization."
by TuLoRocks2008 on Sep 24, 2010 12:40 PM MDT up reply actions
Not trying to be all doom and gloom but...
So don’t jump the gun and rag on me for writing a “welp, season’s over” post designed to ruin your perfectly good morning
Wait, what's his real name? We should make a joke out of that.
SBNation comment interface fail
What was supposed to appear after I quoted you was basically a rant about how even if you were trying to ruin my morning, you couldn’t. The Rox did that already. It’ll be a long, long time (probably seven months) before I get over these last four games. Sunday’s in particular.
Feels pretty weird for the Rox to be in contention in September and then watch them totally blow it.
Wait, what's his real name? We should make a joke out of that.
by BrandonHawpe on Sep 24, 2010 9:53 AM MDT up reply actions
Things could be worse.
We could be Cubs fans.
Or wake up tomorrow morning with lobster claws instead of hands.
HOT DOG/PI PARTY IN 2012
Super Overlady Of the Ubaldo Lovers Club.
Proud Member of the PR gynocracy.
Or how would you like to be a Cardinals fan
How can they not make the postseason with that talent?
Bleed purple
with our without the lobster claws.
HOT DOG/PI PARTY IN 2012
Super Overlady Of the Ubaldo Lovers Club.
Proud Member of the PR gynocracy.
rather or
not our.
OR.
HOT DOG/PI PARTY IN 2012
Super Overlady Of the Ubaldo Lovers Club.
Proud Member of the PR gynocracy.
what are robster craws?
The OT: All that AND a bag of meat.
by frightened inmate #2 on Sep 24, 2010 10:51 AM MDT up reply actions
....So confused.
HOT DOG/PI PARTY IN 2012
Super Overlady Of the Ubaldo Lovers Club.
Proud Member of the PR gynocracy.
Revenge of the Nerds
The OT: All that AND a bag of meat.
by frightened inmate #2 on Sep 24, 2010 11:17 AM MDT up reply actions
Seriously. Poor Matt Holliday....
2010 Colorado Zombies--It ain't over til it's over. So says Troy Torridwitzki
Brad Hawpe - Thanks Brad, you were a class act.Good luck with the Rays!
"You can learn a lot just by watching"-Yogi Berra
QPU #4, YHEG #4, Proud Member PR Gynocracy
Hey he turned down millions of dollars
to play there. He needs to suck it up and be a big boy about it.
HOT DOG/PI PARTY IN 2012
Super Overlady Of the Ubaldo Lovers Club.
Proud Member of the PR gynocracy.
He did?
I thought he signed for 180 million?
2010 Colorado Zombies--It ain't over til it's over. So says Troy Torridwitzki
Brad Hawpe - Thanks Brad, you were a class act.Good luck with the Rays!
"You can learn a lot just by watching"-Yogi Berra
QPU #4, YHEG #4, Proud Member PR Gynocracy
millions from us.
HOT DOG/PI PARTY IN 2012
Super Overlady Of the Ubaldo Lovers Club.
Proud Member of the PR gynocracy.
Thank you Matt holliday
for Carlos Gonzalez
The Big Purple Machine will make a believer outta you!
by El Paso Jeff on Sep 24, 2010 11:01 AM MDT up reply actions
Agreed 100%
I just don’t feel sorry for Matt having to play on a Cardinals team that has so much talent yet fails to play up to it’s potential.
HOT DOG/PI PARTY IN 2012
Super Overlady Of the Ubaldo Lovers Club.
Proud Member of the PR gynocracy.
Eh...they have four superstars
and a developing stud in the rotation and outfield. That’s about it. What they wouldn’t give to have Melvin Mora starting every day.
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Sep 24, 2010 1:49 PM MDT up reply actions
And what we wouldn't give to get to play the Pirates, Cubs, and Brewes 18x a year apiece
ROCKTEMBER - Time for Some F***ing Guy to Shine
ROCKTEMBER - The month before we play Mora playoff games
ROCKTEMBER - The rest of you can settle for Festivus
Notice I didn't mention Houston....
ROCKTEMBER - Time for Some F***ing Guy to Shine
ROCKTEMBER - The month before we play Mora playoff games
ROCKTEMBER - The rest of you can settle for Festivus
Yes.
And Huston Street!!! <3 <3 <3 <3
I'm a BelieveR!!!
This is R year!
Uh, yeah, about that...
It ain't over 'til it's over, unless it's over, then I guess it really is over, then, huh? And that makes me sad. But it ain't over 'til its over.
by prettyinpurple on Sep 24, 2010 1:21 PM MDT via mobile up reply actions
Oh right, but he made more money with the Cardinals.
Not sure what your point is. I just feel bad for him that his team floundered. I thought we’d be playing them in the playoffs. It would be our easiest path to the pennant.
2010 Colorado Zombies--It ain't over til it's over. So says Troy Torridwitzki
Brad Hawpe - Thanks Brad, you were a class act.Good luck with the Rays!
"You can learn a lot just by watching"-Yogi Berra
QPU #4, YHEG #4, Proud Member PR Gynocracy
If anyone
keeps having to log in to PR or any SB Nation blog each time they close out and then re-open a browser, please e-mail support@sbnation.com with info on which browser and version you are using.
"No Mission Too Difficult, No Sacrifice Too Great—Duty First" - 1st Infantry Division Motto
Purple Row - Covering all your Rockies needs!
SB Nation Denver - The regional hub for Denver sports!
Diplomatic and Military History Book Review - My other blog where I go all historical on you.
Yes that has been happening to me
I will email said info when I return from being mobile
"I am an optimist - it does not seem to be much use being anything else" - W. Churchill
by Rock Oax on Sep 24, 2010 10:38 AM MDT via mobile up reply actions
Done
We're trying to win a (#)(*@$%#)@#&$#)^ argument here!!!!
Bazinga!!
by Junction Rox on Sep 24, 2010 10:50 AM MDT up reply actions
Done and done
2010 Colorado Zombies--It ain't over til it's over. So says Troy Torridwitzki
Brad Hawpe - Thanks Brad, you were a class act.Good luck with the Rays!
"You can learn a lot just by watching"-Yogi Berra
QPU #4, YHEG #4, Proud Member PR Gynocracy
Just FYI, I got a message back saying it's fixed, but it's not.
2010 Colorado Zombies--It ain't over til it's over. So says Troy Torridwitzki
Brad Hawpe - Thanks Brad, you were a class act.Good luck with the Rays!
"You can learn a lot just by watching"-Yogi Berra
QPU #4, YHEG #4, Proud Member PR Gynocracy
I hope you told them that it wasn't fixed after that e-mail.
"No Mission Too Difficult, No Sacrifice Too Great—Duty First" - 1st Infantry Division Motto
Purple Row - Covering all your Rockies needs!
SB Nation Denver - The regional hub for Denver sports!
Diplomatic and Military History Book Review - My other blog where I go all historical on you.
Is it screenname dependent?
So everyone needs to e-mail if it’s happening? Or will they fix it globally?
Supposedly they've deployed a fix,
but everyone still seems to have this problem. It could be trickling through the server we’re on.
"No Mission Too Difficult, No Sacrifice Too Great—Duty First" - 1st Infantry Division Motto
Purple Row - Covering all your Rockies needs!
SB Nation Denver - The regional hub for Denver sports!
Diplomatic and Military History Book Review - My other blog where I go all historical on you.
I went away for me
after I shut down my browser and restarted it.
HOT DOG/PI PARTY IN 2012
Super Overlady Of the Ubaldo Lovers Club.
Proud Member of the PR gynocracy.
Season over
Now let’s win our last ten games and start our POSTSEASON! lol
But in all seriousness, that game last night was unbelievably painful. I can’t remember a season with THIS MANY painful losses…goodness. Last night was just as bad if not worse than the 12-11 Phillies game from earlier this month….groan. I think that was almost definitely final nail in our coffin. Prove me wrong Zombiez…..
Yes, I actually do like cricket. I'm Indian.
Rockies are actually zombies. And they're coming to hunt you down just when you think they're buried.
Hollidayrain Music
That game last night felt like 3 or 4 losses
Every time I’d give the game up as lost, something would happen and I’d get hope again. Then we’d give up more runs and it was like another loss. Until the next bit of hope.
Watching live and the first replay, I felt sure that MelMo’s last foul ball had actually been just fair. After the game I had to rewind it on the DVR and go frame-by-frame to convince myself that it had actually been foul. Which it turns out it was…. :=/
We're trying to win a (#)(*@$%#)@#&$#)^ argument here!!!!
Bazinga!!
by Junction Rox on Sep 24, 2010 11:00 AM MDT up reply actions
The last two times
They’ve been out of a game, and clawed their way back, only to lose in the end, they went on a huge tear.
Of course, the other two times, they actually tied the game or took the lead at some point.
I agree.
But the final nail can’t come until we’re eliminated.
I'm a BelieveR!!!
This is R year!
Uh, yeah, about that...
It ain't over 'til it's over, unless it's over, then I guess it really is over, then, huh? And that makes me sad. But it ain't over 'til its over.
by prettyinpurple on Sep 24, 2010 1:22 PM MDT via mobile up reply actions
well the playoffs are gone unless we go 10-0
idc whatever as long as we sweep the Giants out of the race i can enjoy that happening
time to make another run to the postseason....get it going guys!!
Troy Tulowitzki: "When people think of the Rockies, I want them to think of a winning organization."
Well said
Yes, I actually do like cricket. I'm Indian.
Rockies are actually zombies. And they're coming to hunt you down just when you think they're buried.
Hollidayrain Music
by Hollidayrain on Sep 24, 2010 11:23 AM MDT up reply actions
Nice article, Wolf -- and an interesting way to think about a bullpen
we think about versatility in the infield all the time. You could have a guy who’s the best 2nd baseman the world has ever known, but he doesn’t have the arm to play 3rd or short. Great as long as things go according to plan, but doesn’t help you a bit when someone gets hurt or needs rest to avoid getting hurt. As relief pitching has become more and more specialized, why wouldn’t the same sort of thing apply out there? You need a utility relief pitcher or two. Not your traditional swingman or long-relief guy but a guy who has the mental adaptability to be able to handle different roles from week to week or even night-to-night.
Thinking about our staff, Belisle has filled that role the most this year, getting help from Rogers of late. Morales has also been used in that way a bit, but hasn’t been effective for the most part. Rogers seems too valuable to be used in that role long term, but maybe it does make sense to start thinking of someone besides Belisle for that role, preferably someone with a couple of option years left since with a 25-man roster that person’s life would look a lot like Herrera’s did this season.
"The game of baseball is made up of many little things. If we do all the little things right, then we'll never have a big thing to worry about" -- Cal Ripken, Sr.
Yankee Haters Encouragement Group Member #3
With starting position players it's a bit different, because teams generally have a bench designed specifically so the alternatives are there.
With the bullpen, we built it based upon each of our players taking on a specific role at a specific time. Like I said, this surely isn’t necessarily a flaw, but I think it was a flaw when applied to the season we’ve had. It’s not necessarily an easy fix either, so I’m certainly not trying to blame anyone specifically for it. We saw the team stick to its guns with these guys time and time again, regardless if they’d thrown four days in the past week, and so forth. Sometimes a break is more than a day off, and with the way our bullpen roster is constructed, we didn’t have the ability to give our Belisles and Beimels weeks where they pitched just once or twice.
PROJECT LIBRA: Depth / Transactions
"The highest form of human excellence is to question oneself and others." - Socrates
by Greg Stanwood on Sep 24, 2010 12:06 PM MDT up reply actions
Different in some ways, the same in other
The biggest difference is that with position players workload doesn’t pile up quite the same way. You don’t see “inning counts” on infielders discussed like you see pitch counts on pitchers. You do have to rest them occasionally (Cal Ripken disagrees) but you have much more flexibility in when you do it.
The similarity really is with injuries. It’s a good bet that at some point in your season, an infielder or two is going to get injured. You don’t know who or for how long, but it’s pretty likely that someone will. So you have a guy around who can step into a variety of roles. With the bullpen, you have the same thing. Someone’s going to get injured. Will it be your closer, your set-up man, your middle relief guys, your lefty specialist? Who knows. But if you have a guy or two on your 40-man who can do a decent (not great, but decent) job wherever needed it would be a great insurance policy.
"The game of baseball is made up of many little things. If we do all the little things right, then we'll never have a big thing to worry about" -- Cal Ripken, Sr.
Yankee Haters Encouragement Group Member #3
Blaming the bullpen horses...
Doesn’t make sense in my book. Belisle, Beimel and Betancourt didn’t go running to the DL everytime they had an owie, or stay in Tuscon at the spa until the All-Star break. All they did was pitch their a—es off for six months until they finally ran out of gas. Want a better bullpen? Then don’t keep trotting starters out there who think going 5 innings is a Herculian effort. And when you find yourself with a slightly injured Hammel, a seriously injured DeLaRosa, a not-ready-till-June Francis, a shaky Aaron Cook and a junior college lefty named Greg Smith… GO OUT AND ACQUIRE A STARTER! Not talking Oswalt or Lee, just a guy who can burn some innings and take some heat off the bullpen once in a while.
by Rockpile Interloper on Sep 24, 2010 11:42 AM MDT reply actions
I don't think anyone was blaming the bullpen horses, just saying we need more of them
or guys who can step into those roles effectively when the need arises so they don’t get overworked. Giving up fewer walks across the whole pitching staff (especially the starters), would help too. Every walk is about 5 extra pitches you have to throw that night, and they become higher stress pitches too.
"The game of baseball is made up of many little things. If we do all the little things right, then we'll never have a big thing to worry about" -- Cal Ripken, Sr.
Yankee Haters Encouragement Group Member #3
by RoarFrom112 on Sep 24, 2010 11:54 AM MDT up reply actions
It sounds to me that you didn't read the entire post, because a large part of what you said is exactly what I said.
All they did was pitch their a—es off for six months until they finally ran out of gas.
That’s pretty much exactly my point. The flaw I’m trying to highlight here is that had we had better alternatives when those three shouldn’t have been pitching, we didn’t, and we had to adjust by overworking them.
PROJECT LIBRA: Depth / Transactions
"The highest form of human excellence is to question oneself and others." - Socrates
by Greg Stanwood on Sep 24, 2010 12:00 PM MDT up reply actions
Yes I get that, but...
You’re still focusing solely on the bullpen, and what needs to be done differently. Facing up to the reality of the starting rotation is Job One when it comes to “fixing” the bullpen. Give me Rogers, Reynolds, the Three Bs and a closer (I’m neither Street’s biggest fan nor his harshest critic) and I’ll trust them any day to back up a starting rotation that isn’t coddled, pampered and apologized for at every turn.
My God, how long did it take before Chacin finally got the ball on a secure, regular basis instead of wondering whether he was on his way back to AAA? You can’t wish and hope your way through a season with a paper-thin rotation, no matter how popular those guys might be or how many people buy their T-shirt. That’s why your bullpen is running on four bald tires.
by Rockpile Interloper on Sep 24, 2010 12:14 PM MDT up reply actions
I have a very good feeling about this series against the Giants
Perhaps I’m just in a state of denial right now but I really think this team has one last run left in them. The almost comeback last night is something this team can build upon (Remember what happened in the 10 games after that almost comeback in that brutal 12-11 loss to Philly at the start of the month?)
If we can sweep the Giants this weekend and EITHER Atlanta or San Diego loses 2 out of 3, we will be just ONE GAME out of a playoff spot with one week to go.
It’s also important to remember that we are coming back to Coors for this series which A: has provided us with magic all season long and B: has been nothing less than a house of horror for the Giants. Add in that we’ve swept three of the last five series played at Coors and that we have both Chacin and JDLR (the two starters I trust the most right now) pitching in this series and I think we’ve got a decent shot to hit the Giants right in the face with a purple broom this weekend.
Again I may just be in denial but this team always seems to play its best when things look the worst.
I’ll say it one more time, I have a good feeling about this.
Yankee Haters Encouragement Group Member #1
by RhodeIslandRoxfan on Sep 24, 2010 12:11 PM MDT reply actions
yeah me too
i have a good feeling about this home stand i just don’t have a good feeling about going to st. louis (even though we have done well there lately)….and yes a good way to look at it is that SD OR ATL has to start losing some games not BOTH….hey never know what is going to happen…i am not expecting them to make it but hopefully they will shock the hell out of me and everybody else here
time to make another run to the postseason....get it going guys!!
Troy Tulowitzki: "When people think of the Rockies, I want them to think of a winning organization."
by TuLoRocks2008 on Sep 24, 2010 12:25 PM MDT up reply actions
Thank you RIRF
I too, for some bizarre reason, am not ready to write them off. Sweep the Giants and see where we are next Monday morning.
This, my second signature, is not nearly as original as my first signature. Therefore, my signature pride is hereby lessened.
by trekinaz on Sep 24, 2010 12:26 PM MDT via mobile up reply actions
Can I have some of what you're having?
2010 Colorado Zombies--It ain't over til it's over. So says Troy Torridwitzki
Brad Hawpe - Thanks Brad, you were a class act.Good luck with the Rays!
"You can learn a lot just by watching"-Yogi Berra
QPU #4, YHEG #4, Proud Member PR Gynocracy
If you're feeling down about the Rockies season
I just watched Gonzalez’s walk off cycle against the cubs and Stewarts game tying and giambis game winning homer against the red sox. It made me feel a lot better.
"I beat all man. Someday, I will beat a real champion. If he dies, he dies." Ivan Drago
by jcd823 on Sep 24, 2010 12:11 PM MDT via mobile reply actions
For anyone out there who is super optimistic, I have two playoff ticket codes up for grabs if anyone wants them
If you do want them just let me know what your email is
Happy to see Cargo get 6 rbis yesterday and re take the lead on Pujols
really hope he wins the RBI title along with the batting title which is looking pretty likely
time to make another run to the postseason....get it going guys!!
Troy Tulowitzki: "When people think of the Rockies, I want them to think of a winning organization."
Can someone repost that brick and washer/dryer clip from yesterday?
It just seems so fitting of an example and its fun to watch.
by CORockFaithful on Sep 24, 2010 12:30 PM MDT reply actions
Why does it always have to be snakes?
ROCKTEMBER - Time for Some F***ing Guy to Shine
ROCKTEMBER - The month before we play Mora playoff games
ROCKTEMBER - The rest of you can settle for Festivus
by Mondogarage on Sep 24, 2010 12:41 PM MDT up reply actions
They've been dreaming of knocking us out of the playoffs for 3 years now
Finally got their chance, and they sure seemed to enjoy it. It’s going to be pretty odd sharing a spring training facility with a significant divisional rival.
"The game of baseball is made up of many little things. If we do all the little things right, then we'll never have a big thing to worry about" -- Cal Ripken, Sr.
Yankee Haters Encouragement Group Member #3
by RoarFrom112 on Sep 24, 2010 12:53 PM MDT up reply actions
Looks like a pretty nice facility
I like that there is a “replica” of both Coors and Chase Fields there so that each team can get in some work on their “home” field during ST. I might also suggest that the Rox sneak over and figure out how the hell to win some games at Chase as long as they’re there….
We're trying to win a (#)(*@$%#)@#&$#)^ argument here!!!!
Bazinga!!
by Junction Rox on Sep 24, 2010 1:29 PM MDT up reply actions
Funny thing, building a replica of Chase Field 30 minutes from the original
I worried about the D’backs having a big home field advantage in the Phoenix area, but then I realized there will still be more Cubs fans there than D’backs fans.
"The game of baseball is made up of many little things. If we do all the little things right, then we'll never have a big thing to worry about" -- Cal Ripken, Sr.
Yankee Haters Encouragement Group Member #3
Maybe the Rox need to take a Travel Coors Field diarama
filled with fans and songs they play. Keep it in the dugout.
2010 Colorado Zombies--It ain't over til it's over. So says Troy Torridwitzki
Brad Hawpe - Thanks Brad, you were a class act.Good luck with the Rays!
"You can learn a lot just by watching"-Yogi Berra
QPU #4, YHEG #4, Proud Member PR Gynocracy
hehe
I'm a BelieveR!!!
This is R year!
Uh, yeah, about that...
by prettyinpurple on Sep 24, 2010 2:03 PM MDT via mobile up reply actions
Sad, sad week.
I keep thinking about earlier in the season, when ATF (I think) pointed out that we had been hovering withing 2 games of .500 for the entire season to that point. If we’d played at our beginning-of-the-year talent level, in other words, that of a .600 team, we could have weathered a 2-9 roadtrip and the arms of our pitching staff simultaneously falling off at the end of the season.
Score a goal. Unit. Basket. Go squadron! Do good! Defeat the opponents soundly in this...skirmish.
Okay, I'm starting to get excited about tonight's game.
I was dreading it, but you know what? The Rockies are a better team than the Gints or at least evenly matched. Our offense is better than theirs and their pitching might be a wee bit better than ours.
This is going to be an awesome game!!
GO ZOMBIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2010 Colorado Zombies--It ain't over til it's over. So says Troy Torridwitzki
Brad Hawpe - Thanks Brad, you were a class act.Good luck with the Rays!
"You can learn a lot just by watching"-Yogi Berra
QPU #4, YHEG #4, Proud Member PR Gynocracy
This
time to make another run to the postseason....get it going guys!!
Troy Tulowitzki: "When people think of the Rockies, I want them to think of a winning organization."
by TuLoRocks2008 on Sep 24, 2010 3:49 PM MDT up reply actions
I'm excited.
its gonna be fun.
I'm a BelieveR!!!
This is R year!
Uh, yeah, about that...
by prettyinpurple on Sep 24, 2010 4:12 PM MDT up reply actions
Tonigiht's lineup
Rox lineup
2B ey jr.
CF Fowler,
LF CarGo,
SS Tulo,
1B Helton,
3B Mora,
RF Smith,
C Olivo,
P Chacin
I’d post the Gints’ lineup but eff the Gints.
ROCKTEMBER - Time for Some F***ing Guy to Shine
ROCKTEMBER - The month before we play Mora playoff games
ROCKTEMBER - The rest of you can settle for Festivus
yup
screw them and there mediocre offense…all i know is fat boy who loves cake isn’t playing tonight
time to make another run to the postseason....get it going guys!!
Troy Tulowitzki: "When people think of the Rockies, I want them to think of a winning organization."
by TuLoRocks2008 on Sep 24, 2010 4:24 PM MDT up reply actions
no CDI
6 for 12 against Timmy…i know he played yesterday but ah oh well….Go Rockies…kill kill kill
time to make another run to the postseason....get it going guys!!
Troy Tulowitzki: "When people think of the Rockies, I want them to think of a winning organization."
by TuLoRocks2008 on Sep 24, 2010 4:24 PM MDT up reply actions
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