 | Colorado Rockies blogRockies writer Tracy Ringolsby answers readers' e-mails every Thursday. Send your questions to ringolsbyt@rockymountainnews.com and he'll answer the best questions. |
On the clock
Remember, reader questions are answered on a regular basis in the Rockies game previews. Many of them are repeated in this Rockies Inbox.
Bruce Stephens isn’t arbitrary.
Q: When a team brings a minor leaguer to the big leagues for a September callup or in July for a week or two to fill in for an injury, does that mean that eligibility for arbitration or free agency comes a full year sooner? If so, does that brief experience help a young player’s development enough to make it worth it for the organization, or would they be better off promoting a lesser prospect, or a veteran who’s just hanging on for a short stay in the major leagues? I’m thinking of Jimenez and Stewart in the Rockies case.
A: Bruce, I assume the question refers to the frequent mention of teams "starting the clock" when they bring up a player. Simply calling the player up does not mean he will be arbitration eligible any earlier. In general, a player needs three full years of service time to quality for arbitration. The catch is a group called the Super Twos. That is the upper 17 percent of the players with two-plus years of service time, and they also are allowed arbitration. That usually involves a player with one year and 100-plus days of service time.
Richard Lonnquist wants accountability.
Q: In watching the Rockies-Brewers on July 14, in the bottom of the 10th inning, the score was tied and the Brewers had a runner on third base with one out. The Brewer's brought in a pinch hitter. Why not intentionally walk him and set up a possible double play? The next batter is the pitcher, which means another pinch-hitter. I'm assuming one less capable than the first. In addition, the important possibility of a double play. Instead, Hurdle pitches to the first pinch-hitter and, of course, he singles in the winning run. Now what concerns me is what was Hurdle thinking?
A: Richard, I didn't really question pitching to Tony Graffanino with Jenkins on third and one out. My thought process was if you walk Graffanino, you bring up the left-handed-hitting Gabe Gross to face the right-handed La Troy Hawkins, and Hawkins' splits are much stronger against right-handed hitters. I was assuming that Ned Yost sent up Graffanino because he was fishing for a walk, and that's why he didn't want to use the left-handed bat of Gross. Turned out Graffanino did bloop a pitch just over the infield for the winnng hit.
If you walk Graffanino to set up the double play, you bring up a left-handed hitter who is a step or so quicker than Graffanino and has the advantage of being on the first base side of the plate. Also remember that means you are going to play the infield at double play depth instead of drawn-in. And if you are playing for the double play, remember that if you don't get the two outs, the winning run scores because there is only one out. The only way I'd walk Graffanino would be if I was going to walk Gross, too, so I have a force at any base, but to do that would be to load the bases for the top of the order.
My other point would be that I'm looking at getting the softer bats -- Graffanino and Gross. Because they are pinch-hitting in the eighth and ninth spots. If those two outs aren't registered, then you are facing the top of the Brewers lineup. I'd rather be aggressive with the likes of Graffanino and possibly Gross than put myself in a position where I give Hart, Hardy or Braun the chance to beat me.
Kenneth Geyer has second thoughts.
Q: I have really enjoyed watching Kazuo Matsui playing second base. What is the long-term plan for him? Will the Rockies try to sign him to a long-term contract?
A: Kenneth, the Rockies will have an interesting decision to make with Matsui. A lot will hinge on how comfortable Matsui feels playing with the Rockies. The X factors are Clint Barmes, Jayson Nix and Omar Quintanilla, who are having big years at Triple-A offensively and are excellent defensive players.
Trace Daly has a different idea.
Q: The Rockies really don't need to hang on to Kazuo Matsui. Jamey Carroll had a great year last year. It was a crime that his starting job was taken. I have heard that he probably should have won a Gold Glove. And his slump that lasted the early part of the season is coming to an end. Don't worry, that average will come up.
A: Trace, no doubt Jamey is a solid player and had a great season last year. For some reason the managers and coaches, who vote on the Gold Glove, did not select him for the Gold Glove. Matsui's speed does provide another aspect to the Rockies lineup, though, and he has been decent defensively. It is not a foregone conclusion, however, that he will be re-signed. It will be an interesting decision because with Carroll, plus the play this year at Triple-A of Clint Barmes, Omar Quintanilla and Jayson Nix, the Rockies do have interesting options at second base.
Jay Schneider is impressed from afar.
Q: I grew up in Denver and now live in Milwaukee. It’s been a rough last few years watching this team, but I’ve actually been a bigger believer in their strategy the last few years than most. Now we’ll see if ownership will pay a few dollars to keep some of the key pieces in place. I was really impressed with Tulowitzki and Torrealba. While maturing into an offensive presence, I was really impressed with Tulowitzki’s defense. He did have an error -- for which he atoned with a double play on the next batter -- but doesn’t this guy seem on track to become one of the best overall shortstops in the game? While Torrealba's average isn’t that great, doesn’t he seem to have the potential of a Posada or someone like that? Guess I don’t know that much about his defense, but the guy sure seems like a hitter coming into his own.
A: Jay, Tulowitzki has the potential to be truly a special player. On top of his on-field abilities, he has that confidence -- without being cocky -- of a big-time player. Torrealba has long been a catcher of the future -- first with the Giants, then Seattle and now the Rockies. He has life in is bat and shows plus defense. He still is challenged to keep the focus for extended periods, but that is part of a development process. The one thing I'd like to see Torrealba focus on is controlling his emotions better. The umpires don't necessarily forget the outbursts.
Andy Schlabs is hearing the rumors.
Q: I've been hearing the Rockies may try to trade Brian Fuentes. Have you heard this, and what type of player might they be able to get for him? Quality starter?
A: Andy, Fuentes name figures to pop up quite a bit because teams see Corpas and how he has handled closing and figure they may be able to pick up Fuentes. The Rockies will undoubtedly listen, and if they get what they feel is a quality offer in return, it could happen. In a perfect world, though, the feeling is the team is better off with both Corpas and Fuentes, and there can be a way to get Fuentes signed to a multiyear deal so he can be a part of the building process.
July 17, 2007
Plenty of advice at trade deadline
Michael Kaplan sees depth to deal . . .
Q: The Rockies appear reluctant to part with any of their young talent, which is understandable. But aren't they going to run into logjams with their position players soon (1B, 3B, SS, CF)? Doesn't trading some of the talent (even if its top-tier talent) for pitching make sense, especially since Rockie pitchers have struggled with the adjustment from AAA to the majors?
A: Michael, I’d say you and the Rockies have the same idea in mind. I don’t think they are necessarily reluctant to trade young talent, but they are just now getting in the situation where the depth has reached a point that they have young players pushing the ones at the big league level. One thing teams have learned over the years, however, is that the best return for young talent usually comes in the off-season, when there are more teams looking to deal, feeling they have a chance to win. The biggest decision the Rockies are going to face this off-season will be at third base, where Ian Stewart is in position to move to the big leagues and Garrett Atkins has shown he can handle the job.
Steve Gonzalez sees reason for patience . . .
Q: With all due respect to the Monfort/O’Dowd/Hurdle-bashing Rockies fans I’d like to point out that this franchise has “only” played 14 years. They’re still paying off free agents “Rockies Fans” wanted (Hampton, Neagle and Walker, I think). In the meantime, from what I understand, they have one of the better presences in Latin America and in Asia. The kids from the farm are starting to show up and make impacts in the majors. I agree with you when you say “who was there to get?” these last few years. I’ll reserve judgment until there is “somebody” they have a shot at who will truly help them get over the hump and is willing to come to Denver. The resurgence started when all the chirping about “Sell the Team” and “Fire Hurdle and O’Dowd” got loud. That being said, can you get the “Sell the Team” and “Fire Hurdle and O’Dowd” chant started again. Also, what do you think of this idea for a before-game ceremony? The situation would be Dodgers up by 3 in the bottom of the ninth. E.Y. on third, Bichette on second, Vinny on first. Walker, Burks and others in the dugout. The Big Cat at the plate going for his "400th" home run. Don Baylor or somebody throwing hanging curves. When he puts one into the seats, I’ll be telling my wife, “I think I got something on my contacts.” The visitors wouldn’t stand a chance that day.
A: Steve, that scene would certainly bring back fun memories for Rockies fans. Those players came at a time when the Rocky Mountains were ripe for baseball heroes, and they brought an excitement to the fans that will never be forgotten.
Michael Barron doesn’t like what he has seen . . .
Q: While I understand stability can be a great thing for an organization, the Rockies stability isn't going to help them get to the playoffs. While everyone says this team is young, only one starter is under 25 years old. This pitching staff is average at best. Cook, while talented, can't get out of his own way. Lopez is having a career first half of the season. Hirsh, with a few exceptions, has been bad. Fogg has guts but lacks talent to make the guts he has better. They had a hot streak and, but it faded. The only two baseball teams that are any good this year that the Rockies played in their streak was New York and Boston. Well, the New York series was our World Series, and the players (especially the pitchers) look like that is the way it is. So if not
this year, when? Holliday is going to get paid very well by some team, not the Rockies, and Hawpe will do so probably as well. They need at least two more pitchers and to keep the team intact, and we all know that will not happen. Patience? I am sick of being patient.
A: Michael, I think everybody has reached the end of their patience, and if you notice the people who keep bringing up patience this year are in the media. They keep rehashing what was said in the past. The Rockies, themselves, have said all along that this is a year that the team needs to make a move into contention in the NL West. The nucleus is there, and it needs to be improved over time. That improvement will come by keeping some of the current players, but not all of them. No team keeps its roster in place from year to year. What a successful team does is keep a foundation together and has a flow of new faces each year. That is the plan with the Rockies. Time tells how well it works, but the Rockies know the time to start producing results has arrived. With the Rockies, more than using the term young, the proper term would have been inexperienced.
David Riggs joins the disgruntled . . .
Q: As a long-time baseball fan, I have become totally disgruntled with the goings on in our fair city regarding the local team. The team is actually quite a good team. Atkins does need to go, and Ianetta is not worthy. Hawkins also must be sent packing and sent now! Too bad Jose Mesa is not still with the team, but that is another story. So here is my take on what is really wrong on Blake Street: Motivation or lack thereof. Compassion or lack thereof. The will to win, the want to win and desire. All of these qualities are lacking, and Clint Hurdle is the problem. Coaching is pathetic, and it is time for a change. The ownership group would just as soon stand by and accept this worthless product rather than hold someone accountable and get some heads to rolling. Hurdle must go, LaTroy Hawkins must go, Garrett Atkins must go and Chris Ianetta must go. That is a start and a message to the rest of the non-motivated bums. It is too bad to see Matt Holliday have a wasted year and Todd a wasted career.
A: David, just curious as to your insight into Hurdle lacking the qualities to have a will to win, the want to win and the desire. Also wondering where the heck Jose Mesa fits into your picture.
Josh Hansen is willing if it is Willis . . .
Q: Do you see the Rockies making any moves, either internal or external. I've read rumors about Dontrelle Willis. What are the odds of that? I think he would be a great addition to the pitching staff.
A: Josh, the expectation is any significant move would be internal, most likely bringing up right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez and possibly lefty Franklyn Morales, who could work out of the bullpen. Rumors are just that, rumors. Right now, teams with veteran pitchers are looking for the type of return that if the Rockies didn’t win the World Series, they would regret giving up the young talent that is being mentioned.
Chizzie Lovell has an "old" idea . . .
Q: I was wondering if the Rockies would consider signing Julio Franco.
A: Chizzie, Julio wouldn’t fit into their approach. Spilborghs and Sullivan have provided a lift from the bench.
July 12, 2007
Four Ways Questions Are Answered
Every effort is made to answer each person's question.
Please note that the same questions are rarely, if ever used, in each format, but there are four different areas in which the questions you submit can be answered. If you have a reason that your question needs to be answered in a specific format please let me know and every effort will be made to accommodate. Also remember, to be posted, all comments or questions need to have first and last name that can be verified. If the first and last name are not included the comment or question will be deleted.
Here are the formats in which your questions are answered:
1-One question is selected for each Rockies Pre-game blog.
2-One question is selected for each weekly notes package, posted on this site and published in the Rocky Mountain News every Friday.
3-One question with a national flavor is selected for a weekly column posted on foxsports.com and posted each Tuesday afternoon or evening.
4-Remaining questions are answered in the Rockies inbox that is posted on the web roughly every two weeks.
Hope this clears up questions.
Regards,
Tracy Ringolsby
July 09, 2007
Be accountable
Please, understand, all comments or questions need a first name and last name that can be verified. Otherwise, the posts will be deleted.
Posted by Tracy Ringolsby at 12:33 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBackJuly 04, 2007
Brian McGill Takes a Look Inside the Rockies
A study by reader Brian McGill:
An analysis of the Rockies vs. the National League West
There has been a constant cry from the local media that the Rockies are a bad team that is poorly managed. Manager Clint Hurdle should go, Dan O’Dowd should be tarred and feathered and the Monforts need to be hung. The local sports media is a very good analogy to the Drive-By Media. They look at the Rockies, complain about one thing or another, and then go on. Boycotts were even suggested by this group. (Of course, I do not include Tracy Ringolsby in this definition, as he has always been a voice of reason.)
The national sports media are no better. Ten times a year you have to read that if Todd Helton wants to be on a winner, he needs to be traded. Just Friday, Dayn Perry posted a listing of which teams are out of the running already this year. He says that the Rockies are out of it.
I thought I would do an extensive look at the Rockies vs. the rest of the division. I am looking at this as objectively as I can, but I must admit I am rooting for the Rockies. I am going to analyze the Rockies against the rest of the division as an offense, defense and pitching.
OFFENSE
I am familiar with the concepts of Bill James. He has designed meaningful statistics to evaluate how players perform. The statistic that I will use to evaluate the offense is OPS+. This is On Base Percentage plus Slugging Percentage, normalized for ballparks. This number should be an apples-to-apples comparison against the rest of the players in the division. The reason that OPS is a good measurement for how to evaluate a player is that there is a high correlation of OPS to runs scored. The table below is an evaluation of runs scored and OPS as of June 16. You can see the correlation between runs and OPS.
Team Runs OBP SLG AVG OPS OPS+
Phillies 342 .346 .437 .264 .783 112
Marlins 327 .332 .427 .258 .759 111
Reds 309 .320 .428 .253 .748 98
Braves 307 .333 .425 .266 .758 108
Brewers 305 .327 .441 .263 .768 109
Cubs 304 .331 .419 .269 .750 102
Rockies 300 .340 .400 .267 .740 97
Mets 299 .339 .416 .270 .755 110
Padres 291 .316 .389 .244 .705 98
Dodgers 290 .329 .381 .260 .710 92
Pirates 281 .316 .384 .253 .700 92
D'backs 280 .316 .400 .249 .716 92
Giants 279 .319 .389 .253 .708 95
Astros 274 .321 .395 .253 .716 94
Cardinals 261 .318 .387 .259 .705 93
Nationals 261 .315 .365 .247 .680 89
It is clear to me that the Rockies have the best offense in the National League West. Not just because they are in friendly Coors field, but also park-adjusted. The YTD OPS+ in the table above shows only the Padres in the West as better, but even that powerful number does not tell the whole story.
INFIELD
Let’s look at the Rockies' infield and the rest of the West’s infields.
Team Pos Age Name OPS+ Adj. NewOPS+
D'backs 1B 25 Jackson 117 0 117
D'backs 2B 29 Hudson 123 0 123
D'backs 3B 23 Reynolds 135 0 135
D'backs SS 24 Drew 65 0 65
D'backs Avg. 110 0 110
Dodgers 1B 33 Garciaparra 73 30 103
Dodgers 2B 39 Kent 109 0 109
Dodgers 3B 25 Betemit 115 0 115
Dodgers SS 29 Furcal 94 0 94
Dodgers Avg. 97.75 7.5 105.25
Giants 1B 36 Klesko 138 0 138
Giants 2B 35 Durham 89 0 89
Giants 3B 32 Feliz 87 0 87
Giants SS 40 Vizquel 52 0 52
Giants Avg. 91.5 0 91.5
Padres 1B 25 Gonzalez 138 0 138
Padres 2B 29 Giles 94 0 94
Padres 3B 25 Kouzmanoff 86 0 86
Padres SS 27 Greene 88 0 88
Padres Avg. 101.5 0 101.5
Rockies 1B 33 Helton 142 0 142
Rockies 2B 31 Matsui 114 0 114
Rockies 3B 27 Atkins 86 20 106
Rockies SS 22 Tulowitzki 85 0 85
Rockies Avg. 106.75 5 111.75
I made two adjustments. I added 30 points to Nomar’s number and then 20 points to Atkins’ number. Both players got off to slow starts, but there is no reason to believe that they will not perform at their higher levels as the season progresses. What has hurt the Rockies so far this year is that Matsui has been injured. Certainly a key to the Rockies' season is for Matsui to stay healthy.
The two best offensive infields in the West are the Rockies and the Diamondbacks. Should Garrett Atkins continue to hit as he has so far this month, then it is easy that the Rockies have the best offensive infield in the National League West.
OUTFIELD
The Rockies look even better when you compare outfields. The Rockies clearly have the best outfield in the NL West.
Team Pos Age Name OPS+
D'backs RF 24 Quentin 70
D'backs CF 23 Young 80
D'backs LF 31 Byrnes 122
D'backs avg. 90.7
Dodgers RF 25 Ethier 88
Dodgers CF 29 Pierre 70
Dodgers LF 39 Gonzalez 122
Dodgers avg. 93.3
Giants RF 33 Winn 111
Giants CF 35 Roberts 79
Giants LF 42 Bonds 184
Giants avg. 124.7
Padres RF 36 Giles 117
Padres CF 34 Cameron 89
Padres LF 30 Sledge 105
Padres avg. 103.7
Rockies RF 28 Hawpe 134
Rockies CF 25 Taveras 91
Rockies LF 27 Holliday 155
Padres avg. 126.7
The Giants outfield is close offensively, but nobody would trade our three for their three.
CATCHERS
Team Age Name OPS+
Dodgers 24 Martin 112
Giants 32 Molina 107
Padres 29 Bard 88
Rockies 28 Torrealba 64
D'backs 26 Snyder 68
This is the Rockies' weakest position. Torrealba is competent behind the plate. As compared to the entire NL, the combination of Torrealba and Iannetta are slightly below average, but adequate, and certainly better than J.D. Closser and Danny Ardoin of last year.
COMPARISON
It is easy to see that through this comparison, even with a below-average catching crew, the Rockies are the best offensive team in the NL West. The reason they are not quite the best in the first table is because of injuries, and the keeping of Steve Finley and John Mabry. The injuries have healed, and roster changes have been made. The Rockies have the best offense in the NL West right now.
DEFENSE
Not only are the Rockies the best offensive team in the NL West, but they are also the best defensive team in all of baseball. The Rockies have no holes in their defense. They are fast and efficient. There are no below-average defensive players starting for the Rockies. Troy Tulowitzki is a great shortstop and should be seriously considered for the Gold Glove this year.
Team Double plays Errors
Rockies 75 25
Padres 63 37
Giants 59 38
D'backs 63 46
Dodgers 63 49
PITCHING
Below is a table of the team ERA for the National League. Just like OPS+ is a park adjuster for OPS, ERA+ is an ERA adjuster for ERA. 100 should be an average number. The Rockies so far this year have had slightly better-than-average pitching. Still not quite as good as the rest of the NL West, which as a division has the best pitching in baseball.
Team R/G ERA ERA+
Padres 3.36 2.97 132
Dodgers 3.88 3.59 119
D'backs 4.07 3.73 119
Cubs 4.15 3.83 112
Mets 4.02 3.69 109
Giants 4.11 3.82 109
Brewers 4.42 4.04 103
Rockies 4.69 4.42 101
Astros 4.66 4.37 97
Braves 4.62 4.28 96
Reds 5.13 4.72 95
Pirates 4.90 4.53 92
Marlins 4.96 4.39 91
Nationals 4.87 4.53 90
Phillies 5.13 4.78 90
Cardinals 5.41 5.16 79
The Rockies definitely have good pitching this year. Still, is it good enough to compete with the terrific San Diego Padres? Maybe. The Rockies had a very rough stretch that they seem to have shaken off. Through a series of injuries, the Rockies had one minor leaguer after another sent into games. These guys all inflated the Rockies’ numbers. Once the regular pitchers came back healthy, things improved. Since May 22, a 22-game stretch, the Rockies' ERA is only 3.21. That is a fantastic number. Over that same period the Padres' ERA is a still better 2.67. The following numbers are not park-adjusted.
(Since May 22)
Team ERA
Padres 2.67
Rockies 3.21
Dodgers 3.40
D'backs 3.41
Giants 3.72
NL WEST IF OPS+ OF OPS+ C OPS+ Errors ERA+ ERA since 5/22
Rockies 106.75 126.7 64 25 101 3.21
Padres 101.50 103.7 88 37 132 2.67
D-Backs 110.00 90.7 68 46 119 3.41
Dodgers 97.75 93.3 112 49 119 3.40
Giants 91.50 124.7 107 38 109 3.72
The question is can the Rockies' hitting and defense overcome the rest of the Padres’ pitching? Certainly, it will be close. As the season progresses, the Padres and the Rockies should end up fighting it out, with the Dodgers and the D'backs falling off the pace. It is not a situation that warrants the constant bombardment of the local sports media to take their shots at the Rockies. The media should recognize the vast improvements that have been made.
CLINT HURDLE
So what about Clint? Should he be fired? It would be a huge mistake. I watch or listen to as many games as I can. I believe I have a good feel for the team. It is my opinion that these young players have all bonded very well to Clint. The most important thing a manager can do is get the most out of his players, and in my opinion Clint does this.
Spring training
An example of this could be their defense. The Rockies have not had a game this year where they have broken down defensively. They play very good fundamental baseball. I think a lot of that comes from hard work during spring training.
One of the closest players to Barry Bonds as far as on base percentage and OPS over the past several years is Todd Helton. Both are the stars of their teams. Bonds is pretty much on record for not taking spring training seriously. I just can’t believe that Helton is the same. The Rockies worked very hard this spring, and it is evident in their fundamental skills and defensive skills. The Giants, who have a much more experienced team than the Rockies, seem to have taken the Bonds’ work ethic to heart this spring, and did not come out ready to play. They seem very lethargic, or even pathetic.
Hurdle must get credit for this more than anyone else. If you want to give Helton partial credit, that is great. But Helton works for Hurdle.
Garrett Atkins
Everyone in the drive-by sports media has wanted Clint to bench Garrett Atkins and play Jeff Baker. Clint continued to stick by Garrett and argued that everyone should look at the back of Garrett’s baseball card. Clint needs to get high marks for this. Everyone in the drive-by sports media thinks they can manage the Rockies better than Clint. This is so completely foolish. Players on the Rockies need Clint Hurdle for just this reason. If Clint had benched Atkins, he would have made the rest of the NL West very happy. A struggling Atkins was better than what most of them have now.
Kaz Matsui
Clint made it clear early on that Kaz was going to be the starting second baseman. Jamey Carroll is the kind of player that all managers like. I think many managers would have been incorrectly indecisive in this situation. Clint handled it correctly.
GenR
When all of these players came up, Clint let them play. Some made it, some didn’t. Still, Clint was there to help Atkins, Hawpe, Francis, Holliday, Cook and the others develop. In doing so, he took it on the chin with his record.
DAN O’DOWD
Dan O’Dowd has made some great trades recently. The Jennings trade was fantastic. Jennings was going away at the end of this year anyway. Now the Rockies have Taveras, Buchholz and Hirsh. It was a steal. Still he heard nothing but complaints from the drive-bys.
Kaz Matsui for Eli Marrero. Unbelievable. We got a very good second baseman for nothing.
Jamey Carroll was purchased from the Nationals.
Jeromy Affeldt for Ryan Shealy. (Affeldt can pitch.)
Yorvit Torrealba for Marcus Carvajal. Something for nothing again.
Signed Josh Fogg from free agency. Great buy.
Rodrigo Lopez for two minor leaguers. Great deal
These deals were fantastic for the Rockies. They are almost too good to be true. I can only think of one bad trade, Eric Byrnes for Larry Bigbie. (What was he thinking?)
Another thing that O’Dowd did was committing to the Rockies in the minors. It would have been very easy to trade the Gen R guys for established major leaguers and lose something in the trade. It showed courage to go with these guys, and now we got them.
The drive-by sports media all complained when O’Dowd got rid of Vinny Castilla, Royce Clayton, Jeromy Burnitz, Shawn Estes and Larry Walker. What a mistake it would have been to listen to that bunch.
THE MONFORTS
The complaint I hear on the radio all the time is that the Rockies only have a $55,000,000 salary budget, 25th in the majors. I called KOA and talked to Dave and Lois to defend the Rockies after they had several calls to condemn them. I made the point that where do you want the Rockies to spend more money? Dave then said “A few relievers would be nice.” I was not able to respond because it was now the end of the hour.
At the time of Dave’s remark, the bullpen was having a rough time. It was frustrating. The Rockies did get a good reliever this spring in LaTroy Hawkins. The Rockies bullpen has put it all together once the injuries have healed. They now have a very good bullpen.
The Rockies could have spent millions to get a great catcher. That would have helped. The problem is that there are very few to choose from. The other option would have been a starting pitcher. These guys would have cost a fortune. It would ultimately have been a bad decision for the team had the Rockies picked up Barry Zito for $126,000,000. That money is better spent on Gen R players.
What the Monforts need to do is keep the guys they have. That is where I will judge them. I give them a pass for not spending big this year, but I will not understand it if they can’t keep Aaron Cook and the rest of Gen R.
