I was 9 Years old in 1993, when the Rockies first came to town.  At the time I didn't know much about baseball, but the first time I went to a sold out mile high stadium, with 80,000+ fans screaming GO...... Rockies..... I was instantly hooked.  I would wake up in the morning, run grab the paper, and look at the box scores for the previous night, and read the latest news on the team.   As a kid I had my favorites like Dante Bichette, Vinny Castilla,  Elis Burks, Larry Walker, etc.   I would watch teams that could score score 15+ Runs on any given night, and I would listen to my dad who would tell me that once this team got some pitching, they would be really good.

 

For 14 years, this had always been the mantra for the Rockies.  We could hit the ball, and score a lot of runs, but we never really had pitchers.  This wasn't always for the lack of trying.   David Nied was just a foreshadow in to something that would haunt this team for the next decade.   He quickly flamed out, as did guys like Marvin Freeman, Jamey Wright, John Thomson, John Burke, and the list goes on.  We traded for Brett Saberhagan,  Pedro Astacio, and others, each with varying levels of success.  We signed names like Kevin Ritz, Darryl Kile, and of course Mike Hampton and Denny Neagle, and for the most part, these big signings turned out to be disasters that set the franchise back more then it leapfrogged them forward. 

 

Finally the organizational philosophy was changed.  Instead of trading for other top pitchers, or signing big name free agents, we would develop our own pitchers, and put heavy emphasis on scouting in Latin America.  While the first few seasons after this philosophy changed was implemented were difficult to bear, soon we saw the fruits of the golden tree of player development.   Jason Jennings had a few good years for us,  as did Jeff Francis, and Aaron Cook.  All three were useful pitchers, however I wouldn't call any of them a true ace, good number 2/3 starters in their prime however.  Then came a guy named Ubaldo.  The he through in the mid to upper 90's and did things with the baseball, that the law of physics shouldn't even allow.   He wasn't scared to pitch at coors field, and was even quoted as saying he wanted to spend his career as a Rockie....  imagine that, a pitcher not scared of Coors Field, but instead embracing it.  If not for the work of him, and another pitcher who crashed and burned later on,  2007 wouldn't have happened.  He followed that up with a strong 2008 and 2009 campaign, and in 2010, Colorado finally found their first ace, after 14+ years of failed prospects, trades and signings.   Even better, this ace was cost controlled until 2014, and with players like Tulo, Cargo, and even young guys like Chacin,  Nicasio, and Brothers we looked like a team that was set up to contend for quite some time, and for the first time in their existence, we were picked by some in the national media as being the team to beat in the NL West. 

For a lot of reasons, which would require another fanpost, things didn't work out in 2011.    However the strong core was still very much in tact.   We had a strong young rotation with Ubaldo heading things up, followed by Chacin, Nicasio, and De La Rosa when he returned from injury,  we had two star position players, and an old guy who found the fountain of youth.   As bad as 2011 was, there was still plenty to hope for in 2012.  Now I'm not so sure.

 

Other trades have stung, but not as bad as this one.  We all knew that Jennings and Holiday were gone after the season, so it made perfect since at the time to get something for them.  This one made no since to me, we had an excellent young core, lead by a pitcher who I would take over almost anyone to throw a game 7.  He was signed until 2014 at a huge discount, and he was on record as stating he didn't want to leave.  After 14 years of waiting this was our guy, and now he's gone.  

 

I understand the arguments for trading him.  Yes he did lose velocity, and yes he has a lot of innings on his right arm.  All of these are concerns, and if O'Dowd did trade him while his value was still at its peak, then I commend him for learning his lessons I was screaming at him to learn with the Atkins and Hawpe debacle.  But this doesn't seem like that type of move.   This has all the looks of a panic type trade, due to the failings of 2011.   O'Dowd confirmed what I and others have thought about this farm system by trading his top pitcher to "restock", and instead of looking at his current core and doing the necessary tweaks needed for 2012, he changed out an engine when he only needed new tires.       

 

The prospects we got back, do nothing to address the biggest need this team had, which is another middle of the order bat.   I'm not going to say they are bad players, as I look forward to seeing what they can become, and I understand that they have the potential to be very good pitchers.  However, Franklyn Morales, David Nied, John Thomson, and other top pitching prospects had the potential to be very good pitchers as well.  As the old saying goes,  a bird in hand is worth more then two in the bush.  We had that said bird, in our hands, ready to be caged up for his career.  Forgive me for being a bit skeptical of pitching prospects.   And forgive me for being just a little bit pissed off that after waiting 14 years to find our ace, and to be competitive year in and year out, we go and trade the best starer to ever take the mound in a Rockies uniform, when there was absolutely no reason to do so. 

 

I was a Rockies fan before Ubaldo, and I will continue to be one afterwards.  However as a fan, I feel betrayed, and I feel like we have been taken, and punched in the gut.   This one hurt, and it is going to take a while to get over that hurt.  I only have to wonder what Tulo and Cargo are thinking now that they have signed life long contracts, with the idea that this team will be competitive over the next few years.  I wonder what Todd Helton is thinking, as he sees his ticket to the playoffs, and possibly his last chance at a world series ring, get traded away to Cleveland.    Us fans are not the only ones that the Management of the Rockies have betrayed this weekend, and I would think that any player from now on will think twice before signing a long term deal with this team again.

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First and foremost for the news of the day,  Matt Herges has signed with the Indians according the the Rocky Mountain News.  While Herges was very good in 2007, posting a sub 3.00 era, he was much worse in 2008 and his loss is not huge to the team, considering his projections this season have him being no more worse then this guy.

Also from Troy Reneck at his Denver Post Blog, it looks as if the coin flip for deciding homefield advantage on tie breakers by coin flip is gone.   Instead homefield advantage will be given to the team who had the best in season recored against each other.  In 2007 the Rockies had the series advantage by 11-8 so the tiebreaker game would have still been in Denver under this new system.  This system also seems to be a better way to determain homefield advantage in my opinion. 

I think we should take a look at what will be in left field this season for the rockies, now the Holliday is gone.  While this subject has been touched upon breifly, I think an in depth look at our options will be useful.  What I have done is averaged the 3 projections for the 2 main contenders to get an idea of what we can expect. Numbers in the standard Ave/OBP/SLG/OPS format.

Player A:  .282/.354/.452/.806

Player B: .267/.345/.461/.806

Basically look at the numbers, player A and B will for the most part give us the same kind of production with the bat.  Where the difference lies is with defense.  While one player has played the OF before and has been able to play CF in a pinch a few times,  the other is strictly a corner infielder.  If you havn't figured it out yet, player A is Seth Smith and Player B is Ian Stewart.  I have heard a lot of grumbling lately from here and the comment sections of the two Denver newspapers about Stewart in LF. This in my opinion would be a mistake.  Seth Smith, while short on the tools that Stewart brings to the table, has hit at every level he has been to.  This trend hasn't stopped when he has been in the Majors either.  In 116 AB, he has hit .284/.366/.466/.832 and while 116 AB's is nothing to get hot and bothered with, he has at least shown some what of a conistancy, and he has the minor league numbers to give plenty of projection into what he can do in the future.  I wouldn't be surpised if he hits 20+ homeruns next year while having an OBP closing in on .900

This isn't to say that I'm not high on Stewart because I am.  When taking into account defence I would go on a limb and say right now will be just as good, if not better then Atkins next year.   Atkins has a projected OPS in the .830's next year, and I think that he might have a hard time getting there, where as I wouldn't be shocked if Stewart added .40 points to his projected SLG perecentage.   To prove it, I have put my money where my mouth is.  In a sim league I am in, I have traded Atkins for pitching prospect Wade Davis.  While I don't think the Rockies could get  a Wade Davis for Atkins in real life,  I think that once Helton proves he is healthy, Aktins should be out the door.  Stewart and Smith are going to be good players going forward.  Both have nothing to prove at the minor league levels.  Please Colorado,  lets give them a shot, and I guarantee by June the fans will forget all about who was in left field during the 2008 campain.

With this season pretty much done, I think its about time to get a sneak peak into what the offseason might entitle and what this team might look like next year.

Here are some big questions going into the offseason.

1) What is the deal with Helton? Is he healthy? If he is healthy, can he be productive, or has he turned into Sean Casey?

2) Will one of Atkins or Holliday be traded? How about both? Any Long term Contracts for one?

3) Is Fowler ready?

4) What about the Rotation? Can Cook repeat? Can Jiminez build upon this year? Will Francis Rebound? Can one or more of Morales, Hirsh, Reynolds, Hynick be productive?

5) Do we resign Fuentes? If not can Corpas be effective as a closer again? Was Weathers a waste of a number one pick?

6) Second base?

Here is what I am thinking in respect to these questions.

1) Helton is probably 3 years away from Retirement, and I think their is a small chance that he retires this offseason. Small being less then 3% If he comes back and is healthy, I still think he is capable of being a .800 OPS hitter with a good walk rate and moderate power numbers.... a line like .280/.410/.430 is not out of the question I don't think. While thats terrible for a guy who makes 16 million a year, he can still be quite useful if used correctly. He's not a middle of the order type hitter anymore, but he can be useful in the number 2 hole or even the number 6 hole.

2) Atkins is a goner given the development of Ian Stewart and the fact that Helton is probably going to be back. I do think the team will make a run at resigning Holliday however and I can see something getting done. However I am not holding my breath.

3) No, Fowler is close but I don't think he's ready yet. I would like to see if Smith can handle CF full time, and I would also like to see Spilly get some playing time as well. By mid-season if Smith is holding his own, he can then become trade bait and bring in something useful, while Fowler slides in CF... just an idea.

4) I have long liked Cook and thought he was very under rated before this season. I think he is going to be effective next year, and a top three of Cook, Francis and Jiminez looks fairly solid. De La Rosa is ok as a 4, but I have my doubts that one of Hirsh, Morales, or Reynolds is ready. This is were the Monforts need to open up their pocket books a bit and get something better then Wells, Towers, et all.

5) Corpas will be fine, I think he was getting killed by BABIP earlier in the year and he should be fine. Take your draft picks and run.

6) Your guess is as good as mine. Baker and Barmes are nice little utility guys, but are not full time players. I think Ellis might cost to much... but I have a plan.


Here is what I would do if I was the GM.

The Angels have a guy who I thought was very unappreciated and could easily be thrown in along with a pitching prospect in return for Atkins. Something along the lines of

Atkins

for

M. Izturis
and
Walden or O'Sullivan

If we have to we can throw in a Barmes type.

Allow Spilly and Smith the Platoon in CF while Fowler spends time in AAA. (I am assuming the projections for Fowler aren't wonderful yet but feel free to correct me)

Trade Willy T, Baker, and Barmes for whoever wants them.

Sign the following Free Agents to something reasonable.

Russell Branyan - Could cover if Stewart slumps and could spell Helton when he needs rest... Branyan has always been a favorite of mine and could be a huge threat off the bench.

Rocco Baldelli - If he comes cheap (which given health concernse he very well could) he could be a nice buy low sell high type of player.

or

Cory Patterson - Again if he come cheap he becomes a nice little 4th outfielder with some pop in his bat and a good late inning defensive sub.

One of:

Oliver Perez, Bartolo Colon, Derek Lowe, Ryan Dempster, Freddy Garcia, Jon Garland

There are guys on this list I would rather have then others, but this is where we need to spend some money and get a solid number 4 type starter. If we stop wasting money on the likes of Vizciano and Wells, we might be closer to affording one of these guys then one would think. Anyways, this is how I envision the opening day roster after my tweaks.

1. Spilly/Smith CF
2. Helton 1b
3. Holliday LF
4. Hawpe RF
5. Stewart 3b
6. Tulo SS
7. Ianetta C
8. Izturis 2b
9. Pitcher

Branyan CIF
Herrera UT
Omar UT
Baldelli or Patterson OF
Smith/Spilly OF
Yorvit C

1. Cook
2. Francis
3. Ubaldo
4. One of the pitchers listed above
5. De La Rosa

CL: Corpas
SU: Bucholtz
SU: Vizciano
MR: Register
MR: Weathers
LR: Morrillo

So how many wins does that team project to? I think something like this isn't far out of the realm of possibility either. I would love to hear others thoughts and opinions on this as well.

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I thought I would take sometime too look at some players who have been struggling, and see if I can find a reason to why they are having such a hard time.   I will start with Corpas.

 

Last year Corpas was amazing for us down the strech and finish the season with a 2.08 ERA, 19 saves, 58 Strikeouts to 20 BB's.  He was easily on his way to becoming one of the leagues top young relief pitchers.  However going into this year he has imploded, blowing 4 saves, and eventually loosing his closer role to Fuentes, while not look like the same pitcher on the mound that we saw last year.

 

Lets take a closer look shall we.  Here are Corpas's BB/9, K/9, WHIP, and Batting Average for Balls in play for 2007:

 

2.31/6.69/1.06/.260

 

In 2008 his line looks like this:

 

6.32/3.45/1.98/.320

 

As you can see his Walk rates have more then doubled, while his strike out rates has declined.  Also he has been rather unlucky with ball in play going from .260 to .320.  A .320 BABIP is a little higher then his career normal of .290 so that should normalize in time.  The greater concern has been his walks and strikeout rates.  It seems to me that he is scared to attack the hitters this year, and is pitching around them more.  This is supported by the fact that he is only throwing strikes 55% of the time as opposed to last year when he was throwing strikes 64% of the time. 

 

My guess is that he's been a bit shaken up this year, as batters have been a bit more luck against him.  I think that once he starts to attack hitters like he did last year he will be fine, right now though he needs to clear his head though.  If there is any good news its that his Linedrive, flyball and groundball percentages are within 2% of what they were last year. 

 

I think it might be interesting if we had him start a game or two, give him a few innings to work on his command a little bit and have him re-trust his stuff.  Maybe then we can get our old Manny Corpas back.

 

Well,  what a ride it has been...

getting swept hurts, however, looking back in April, no one expected us to be here, or even in the playoffs.   Most of the National News had us pegged for a 4th place finish, so keeping that in perspective, this season has been magical.  One of the things I have missed as a fan was being able to go to a game, and have the stadium packed to the brim, like it was in the early days.  I wasn't able to go to any playoff games (had tickets but the sweeps happened..) but it was amazing to hear the old Go Rockies chant over the TV.  Coors is a magical place when is packed, and this year we got the magic back.

I'm wondering what this team would've done if we hadn't had the 8 day layoff.  In a game thats about timing,  8 days I think killed us.  I don't want it to be an excuse, but I do want to say that the Rockies didn't show up until it was too late, and I think the 8 games had something do with that, especially with the swings of Hawpe, Tulo and Atkins.  Thats not to take anything away from the Red Sox, they are the better team, and they played the better baseball.  

As for this offseason, this is the most important offseason in the history of the franchise.  Monforts say they are going to get the payroll over 70 million, so what should they be looking at?

First I want Holliday signed long term.  I don't care what it takes, he is the face of the franchise, and you cannot let him walk.  Depending on how Stewart's transition to 2b goes,  I think you resign Atkins as well.  If Stewart proves he can't handle 2b, then you need to sign Matsui also.  There is no one ready on the farm to take over, and their is no better Free Agent option either.  At catcher, you have to give Ianetta a shot, and I don't think Yorvit will be worth the money he commands.  Bring in a backup and let it be know to Hurlde that Ianetta is the starter from  day one.  CF came up lame this post season.  Taveras isn't the answer, and I would like to see Spilly and Smith get some playing time next year.  

Fuentes... I think he has to go.  At this point he's nothing but a LOOGY, and he will be over priced at that.  He blew too many games in the offseason, and he couldn't hold it close when we needed him to.  He's not the same pitcher he was, and honestly he was nothing more then above average to begin with.  

So with that 70 million, I think we need to spend on getting Holliday, Atkins and Cook signed long term, then we need to get some good RP.  I don't care if your paying 3-5 million for a middle reliever. Get Herges and Hawkins back, call up Morrilo, and get one or two more people for the back of pen.  I havn't looked at options yet, but this is a must.   I don't think you need to keep Fogg.  He's pitched above his head in the stretch, but he's basically close to replacement level.  Next years rotation needs to look like this:

1. Francis
   
2. Cook
   
3. Jimenez
   
4. FA
   
5. Hirsh

Keep Morales on the farm to start off with, and lets get some guy on a 2 year deal.  Maybe Jennings could have a nice home coming, again I havn't looked at to many names, but that could be a starting point.

Lineup:

1. Kaz
   
2. Tulo
   
3. Holliday
   
4. Helton
   
5. Atkins
   
6. Hawpe
   
7. Spilly/Smith
   
8. Ianetta

or if Stewart is ready at 2b

1. Spilly/Smith
   
2. Tulo
   
3. Holliday
   
4. Helton
   
5. Atkins
   
6. Hawpe
   
7. Stewart
   
8. Ianetta.

Either one looks very good.

Today might sting a bit, but we will be back. We have a championship to defend, and I think our guys in purple should do well.

One a parting note.  The season before the Broncos won the Super Bowl, they lost in their first round of the playoffs.  That offseason they changed their uniforms, and Logo, and low and behold, they won back to back.  The key to winning next year is in the Uniforms they wear.  Its time to change, when we are on a national stage, we shouldn't be caught dead in the black embarrassment that they wear now.

I'm thinking something like a Forest green and Purple to match the seats at Coors would look really well.  Get it done Dan

Everyone said that we were done...

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Pic1
Pic2
Pic3
Pic4 [editor's note, by Russ] Right before #1000
Pic5
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Pic7
Pic8

Ok found more pictures, one of them is right before Heltons 1000th Hit.

I posted this on the Fanhome site, but there is also a very active community here on the Row that I would like to have participate on this also.

I wanted to start this diary so we can get a composite of ideas about what each person would do if they were running the Rockies team. Here are the Rules:

1) a) No trading players unless its been mentioned as a possibility in the papers (ie you can trade atkins if you want, but no one wants Finely so you can't trade him for A-Rod)
    b)  Player(s) with no trade clauses cannot be traded to or from Colorado.  Helton already stated a while back that he won't consider being moved after the season started, and until a paper or other source mentions he would consider waiving his trade clause mid-season, we have to assume he won't.

2  You can release or call up any players you want, however call-ups must be
realistic.  Don't call up Hynick because he's having a good season in single A

3. No releasing players with a contract over 2.5 million - the amount they would  have eaten for Kim.  
4. No going back in time... you can't take back the signings of Finely and Mabry, or Hawkins or Hampton, Neagle or who ever.
5. I want this to be as realistic as possible, if you had the GM job as of today, what would you do.  
6. You can add people of waivers or free agents as you want, given that the person in question would come in on a minimum contract.
7. Feel free to move players among the farm teams as you choose as well.
   

-------------------------------------------------

Here is my responses to this:

1. Release Finely and Mabry.  They arn't doing crap to help this team at all.  Watching the last part of the game tonight,  we have Fins and Mabry back to back.... otherwise known as Out #1 and Out #2.   They are old and have no value or future value to this ball club.
2. Call up Barker and Spilly.  Are these two going to be much more then 4th outfielders?  Probably not,  being that they are both 26 and 27 they have probably peaked.  However they are much better options then Finely and Mabry and who knows you might catch lightning in a bottle (ala Matt Holliday when he was first called up)
3. Adjust the bullpen to be these people, in order of importance.  

Fuentes
Corpas
Ramirez
Adfelt
McClellan
Julio

4.  Martin was left off for a reason... he provides nothing of value for this club.  If Hurdle wants another lefty,  go after someone like Villone who might soon become available.
5. Play Quintinia until Matsui returns.  Upon Matsui's return,  option Quintinia down because you forked over a lot of money for Carroll
6. Play Iannetta 4 or more times a week.  Honestly... his OPS is about 100 points higher then Torrealba, there is absolutely no reason in the world why Iannetta shoudl be sitting on the bench.  None at all.
7. Something needs to be done about the Rotation.  Buchholtz isn't that wonderful, and he's very inconsistent.  With Lopez out until who knows how long,  we should consider trading one of Hawpe, Baker or Aktins to the Halos for Pitching Help.

So I noticed the other day that Tulo was sporting the Number 2 this year.  Last year he wore number 14.  I wonder if with the Big-Cats induction to the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame this year if there are any plans to retire his number?  

It doesn't make since why Tulo would've switch from 14 to 2 if that wasn't in the works.

Anyone else hear anything?

Thought this could be fun

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Hey everyone, I hope Rox Girl doesn't mind me posting this.

In one of the sim leagues I am in, we have some openings.  Its a keeper Diamond Mind sim league, with full free agent periods, amature draft, etc.

Its a real blast, and much better then fantasy.

Current teams that are open are the Pirates, Mariners and Yankees.  We are looking for people with High Baseball IQs so I figured this would be a good place to look.

visit www.i-s-b-l.com or email commish@i-s-b-l.com for more info.

Thanks

Is Helton on his way out?

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Note I posted this on Lodomagic, but know the readership is high here so ya.... lets generate some discussion on the long days of winter.

The Wonderful bloggers at at Purplerow and Bad Alttiude seem to think that Coco Crisp is an ideal target for our Center Field Woes. I don't belive this is the best option for the Rockies. Lets look at some numbers:

First our own centerfielders:

Cory Sullivan: .267/.321/.402 - .729 OPS

Choo Freeman: .237/.298/.341 - .629 OPS

Jeff Salazar: .283/.409/.415 - .824 OPS - Low Sample Size

Ryan Spilborghs .287/.337/.431 - .773 OPS

And a look at Coco Crisp

.264/.317/.385 - .702 OPS

even if this was an offyear for Crips, his career numbers come to:

.282/.329/.416 - .745 OPS

When you factor in defence Crisp was at the bottom of the list in terms of CF. So basically Crips is Cory Sullivan with worse defense.

Here is my proposed solution:

Jeff Baker,  he ripped it up in the minor leagues and in the Month of September.  It was once thought that because of his athetic ability he would be moved to 2b,  so I think he clearly could be average at CF, als you can always keep Sullivan or Salazar around for a late inning replacement.  Consider the following lineup.

1. Carroll 2b
   
2. Baker CF
   
3. Atkins 3b
   
4. Holliday LF
   
5. Helton 1b
   
6. Hawpe RF
   
7. Ianetta/Torrealba C
   
8. Tulo SS

Anouther reason I wouldn't want to trade for Crisp is because we would probably have to give up a decent prospect to do so.  On the Rockies Fanhome board, the discussion was brought up aboud trading Morales for Crips, and while as a Rockies fan that seems to be too much, given how many teams are looking to fill a hole at CF,  Morales might be the reasonable asking price.   This just isn't the market to trade for a guy lik Crisp,  instead move Baker to CF, and get max value for a guy like Sulivan.

I touched this topic a little bit in more depth at lodomagic, however, the readership is much greater over here and I think this would be a great topic of discussion.  

What does Matt Holliday and other Rockies players have to do to get top 15 consideration in the NL Allstar vote?  He's having a great season and leads all left fielders in the NL in Batting Average, he's 4th in OBP, and seconed in SLG and OPS,  yet he's not even in the Top 5 vote getters,  the likes of So Taguchi, and Xavier Nady have more votes then him.  

This is a prime example of why the Allstar voting system needs to be overhauled.   Thoughts?