The Rockies’ free agent splurge on the bullpen hasn’t worked out | Beyond the Box Score
As many Rockies fans know, the significant offseason bullpen expenditures of Wade Davis, Jake McGee, and Bryan Shaw have not been worth their pretty penny in 2018. At Beyond the Box Score, Luis Torres details the dangers of handing out such contracts to relief pitchers, a very volatile breed.
Sarris: Why relievers cost so much more at the deadline than they do in the offseason | The Athletic ($)
When it comes to trading for relievers, the cost tends to be more when clubs are making deadline deals than when they are making offseason trades. The Rockies’ newest reliever, Seunghwan Oh, was signed by the Toronto Blue Jays to a 1-year, $2 million deal over the 2017-2018 offseason. In their recent trade for Oh, the Rockies sent prospects Forrest Wall and Chad Spanberger to the Jays. Based on FanGraphs’ future value rankings, these two will have a value of more than 2 million dollars. As Eno Sarris of The Athletic writes, the value of relievers tends to increase approaching the trade deadline because of team’s overperformance compared to expectations and the greater likelihood that teams know what they’re getting from a reliever who has pitched healthily over the entire season.
Colorado Rockies rumors: Interest in St. Louis closer Bud Norris? | Rox Pile
The Rockies could undoubtedly use more help in the bullpen, and there are several options from which to choose to upgrade. One player the Rockies have been connected to is Bud Norris, closer for the St Louis Cardinals. Norris has pitched well in 2018, with a 3.14 ERA/2.95 FIP combination. However, Norris has been in the news recently for harassing younger teammates, and regarding different cultures in baseball has said, “If you’re going to come into our country and make our American dollars, you need to respect a game that has been here for over a hundred years.”
How a SoCal style made Nolan Arenado and Matt Chapman the best defensive third basemen in baseball | The Athletic ($)
If you believe that Nolan Arenado of the Rockies and Matt Chapman of the Oakland Athletics are the best defensive third basemen in their respective leagues, not many would disagree. A’s third base coach Matt Williams would also agree with you. As the owner of 109.9 career defensive runs above average at third base in his playing career (according to FanGraphs), Williams might just know what he’s talking about. According to Williams, the mark of a great third basemen is “the backhand down the line” play. Both Arenado and Chapman are highly successful at this play. In Nick Groke’s article for The Athletic, you can read more quotes from Williams, Arenado, and Chapman, as well as watch several videos of their defensive prowess, including the type of play that Williams referenced.
Colorado Rockies exclusive: Nolan Arenado on his words and winning | Rox Pile
Arenado also spoke exclusively with Rox Pile’s Kevin Henry to address comments he made in June about the Rockies’ lack of winning. There are a lot of good clarifying quotes from Arenado, including a message for fans about his appreciation for their support and the kind of person he wants fans to believe he is.
Colorado Rockies: Bud Black “loved” what he sees from Ryan McMahon | Rox Pile
In his return from Triple-A Albuquerque on Sunday, Ryan McMahon belted two doubles, and looked “ready to hit every pitch that was thrown to him,” said Manager Bud Black. According to Black, this was a key for McMahon to work to improve on after he was sent down— no “pre-meditated take[s].” Black likes what he sees, and McMahon could provide a big bat for the Rockies down the stretch if he continues to swing it like he’s capable of doing.
BSN Rockies Podcast: Colorado not even playing their best baseball yet | BSN Denver
In the latest episode of the BSN Rockies podcast, Drew Creasman posits that the Rockies are not even playing at their ceiling. An 18-5 stretch is rather remarkable but Creasman discusses how he thinks the team can be even better. There’s also a preview of today’s trade deadline.
Series Preview: Rockies vs. Cardinals | Birds On The Black
Jenny Cavnar of AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain joins Tara Wellman of Birds on the Black, a Cardinals blog, to discuss the Rockies’ series in St. Louis.