Star Pitcher: A New Hope - Rockies Zingers
In this excellent piece, Ryan Hammon of Rockies Zingers looks at Chad Bettis's career trajectory in comparison to Tyler Matzek's. In short, he suggests that heading into 2016, Rockies fans should be just as hopeful about Bettis than they were about Matzek heading into 2015, if not more so. And while it's easy to forget, we were pretty damn high on Matzek eight months ago. The primary reasons are because Bettis's 2015 was even better than Matzek's 2014, and Bettis doesn't carry the history of sudden implosion.
Baseball Prospectus | Transaction Analysis: 40 Pounces to Freedom
Matthew Trueblood provides his assessment on the recently DFA'd Rockies, and in particular, where they will go from here. He's most skeptical that Rosario will find a home and most optimistic about Axford. Finally, he doesn't see an easy path to re-finding success for Brothers: "The problem is, whereas many starters who get lost [the way Brothers did] find salvation in the bullpen, relievers who run into the same problem tend not to make it out of the woods."
Relief Notes: O'Day, Chapman, D'Backs, Brothers - MLB Trade Rumors
Responding to the Patrick Saunders article linked here a few days ago about Rex Brothers, MLB Trade Rumors suggests that Brothers is very likely to elect free agency if the Rockies are not able to trade him. He should, because he's still young enough to likely find a new team in short order, though it might be on a minor league deal. Either way, Brothers is about to enter "old friend" territory.
The Dodgers sign Charlie Culberson to minor league deal
Speaking of old friends, MLB Daily Dish's Chris Cotillo reported that the Dodgers have signed former Rockies infielder Charlie Culberson to a minor league deal. The contract comes with an invitation to spring training.
Source: Dodgers sign Charlie Culberson to minor-league deal. NRI to spring training.
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) November 21, 2015
Culberson missed almost the entire 2015 season due to a back injury. The Rockies placed Culberson on the 60-day disabled list in April. After he was reinstated in early June, the Rockies outrighted him to Albuquerque. He only made it into five games before re-injuring his back and being placed back on the DL. Culberson elected free agency in early November.
If healthy and if needed, Culberson can provide the Dodgers with versatility off of the bench. Let's wish him well.
Dodgers reportedly sign two more Cuban prospects — OC Register
The OC Register reports that the Dodgers signed a couple of teenage Cuban prospects to multi-million dollar deals: 19 year-old outfielder Yusniel Diaz and 17 year-old infielder Omar Estevez. Diaz's bonus is said to be $15.5 million and Estevez's $6 million. The Dodgers have spent well more than their international spending limit for the year and, according to the OC Register, will pay a 100 percent tax on anything over their limit.
The Most Fun, Shareable Moments of 2015 – The Hardball Times
While no Rockies moments made the list, Joon Lee provides a glimpse into some of the memorable moments from the 2015 season.
Baseball Prospectus | Players Prefer Presentation: Why We Give David Ortiz A Retirement Tour
As in most baseball things scorned, the tour retiring baseball players receive is not as bad as it's often made out to be. In fact, Meg Rowley of Baseball Prospectus suggests, retirement tours are the places where memories of players are excavated and new ones are created. They just happen to come in the form of cowboy boots and kayaks.
The Rockies would do well to make Mike Leake a serious offer this winter - Purple Row
Mike Leake remains one of the most compelling free agent possibilities for the Rockies. It's worth revisiting Bobby DeMuro's assessment of why the Rockies should offer him a free agent contract this offseason.