Rockies Acquire Pat Neshek, Want to Kill You with Sliders | FanGraphs Baseball
Count Paul Swydan as one of the believers in the acquisition of Pat Neshek. Swydan places the deal in the context of the Rockies bullpen's struggles this month after their high-flying early season dominance. He also brings in lead prospect analyst Eric Longenhagen's take on the prospects the Rockies gave up, if you're into that sort of thing.
We'll have much more on this deal later today and more coverage leading up to Monday's trade deadline.
Rockies activate Chatwood, place Holland on paternity leave | Purple Row
In what will also surely have ramifications for the bullpen going forward, Tyler Chatwood will join the Rockies bullpen (for now). Greg Holland will be eligible to return to the lineup on Saturday.
MLB Trade Deadline
The Rockies’ Unexpected Needs | FanGraphs Baseball
While the Rockies seem to be intent on adding relief help (see above and below), Travis Sawchik presents a sobering case for where the Rockies should be pursuing reinforcements. Our own Ryan Freemyer made the case recently for the Rockies to pursue a new catcher, but Sawchik points out that the biggest problem has been in right field and Carlos Gonzalez. It may be time for CarGo to take the Jason Giambi Memorial Roster Spot as lefty masher off the bench, especially if David Dahl continues to progress well in Triple-A.
Rockies 'aggressively' pursuing a right-handed reliever | Purple Row
Where there's smoke...
Rockies, Marlins in “ongoing discussions” for AJ Ramos | Purple Row
...there's fire? One might be inclined to think that by acquiring Neshek the Rockies would be done acquiring bullpen help. My only skepticism about whether or not this move happens at this point is that the Rockies tend to be tight lipped around big moves, as evidenced by their own twitter account breaking the Neshek deal, so I would be surprised if this is the (only) deal that happens.
Player Profiles
Is Rockies Slugger Nolan Arenado Overrated? | FanRag Sports
Does this violate Betteridge's law of headlines? You'll just have to click to find out. (Spoiler: yes it does; everyone is learning that Nolan is incredible).
Desmond ready to face Nationals in D.C. | MLB.com
On Friday, Ian Desmond will enter Nationals Park for the first time since Sept. 28, 2015, when he was a member of the Washington Nationals. Before that season Desmond turned down what would have been a very lucrative extension, only to hit .233/.290/.384 in 641 plate appearances in his final season with the Nationals. He signed a one-year contract with the Rangers and turned a .258/.335/.446 line into a five year, $70 million contract with the Rockies this offseason. So far in 65 games for the Rockies Desmond has hit .285/.328/.388, which is a mix of both, you might say.
When Blackmon does this, the Rockies usually win | BSN Rockies
Much like the FanRag article, this headline is just begging you to click (click to find out!). The key stat is that the Rockies are 30-14 when Charlie Blackmon records a multi-hit game (he leads the league with 44). Drew Creasman details the trickle-down effect Chuck Nazty's hits have on the rest of the lineup.
Around the NL West
100 games in: The Arizona Diamondbacks’ playoff odds | AZ Snake Pit
In their recurring series, AZ Snake Pit takes a look at their playoff odds, which actually provides a helpful glimpse into what the Rockies can expect as well. In that piece is a comforting piece of wisdom: "This is important because we have four teams going for three spots, and to make the post-season, the D-backs only need to be better than the WORST of our rivals. The Cubs can win all they want: it’ll give them the National League Central crown, which is basically irrelevant to our situation." In other words, don't worry if the Cubs pass the Rockies soon in the playoff race; worry if the Brewers keep pace.
Twins and Dodgers delay game eighteen minutes to argue about the lineup | Twinkie Town
Do you know how a double switch works? Because apparently no one actually playing this game did. In case you missed this craziness from Tuesday, here you go.
Oh, and the Dodgers came from behind to beat the Twins 6-5. They are now 71-31. Bud Selig has instituted a Blue Ribbon Commission to see if the rules of the game allow them to lose.
The San Diego Padres are a statistical conundrum | Beyond the Box Score
The San Diego Padres are one of the worst teams this season, yet they have some really weird stats.
The Giants did well with the Eduardo Nuñez trade | McCovey Chronicles
The Giants traded third baseman/outfielder Eduardo Nuñez to the Boston Red Sox earlier this week. When Grant Brisbee says they "did well," keep in mind that it's all relative in a buyer's market.
Also, what kind of world are we living in where the Giants are sellers at the deadline and the Rockies are buyers? A world I hope to continue living in forever.