Rockie Talk & Rumors
(2006)
6/28/06
It's beginning to look less likely that reliever Chin-Hui Tsao will contribute in the big leagues this season. Bullpen sessions have been shut down this week as he continues to feel soreness in his surgically repaired shoulder. If he responds to playing catch, Tsao, who is 13 months removed from surgery, will begin throwing off a mound again next week. Post
6/26/06
Boston Herald: "According to the Rocky Mountain News, the Sox have shown interest in Colorado Rockies first-base prospect Ryan Shealy. A deal for Shealy, whose path to the majors is blocked by All-Star Todd Helton, likely would require the return of a pitcher capable of stepping right into the Rockies rotation, a la Abe Alvarez."
----Alvarez is a 2003, 2nd round pick out of Long Beach State who rose up quickly through the minors to make a few appearances in Boston already, however, it appears as though he may be a AAA pitcher at best. RH
6/24/06
Torontosun.com also reported the rumor concerning Ryan Shealy and the Blue Jays, however, it was an article clearly written from the info in Ringolsby's "First pitch".
6/23/06
The Baltimore Orioles have expressed interest in acquiring Ryan Shealy, increasing the likelihood the Triple-A slugger will be traded. The discussions have advanced to the point where Colorado has identified two players it would accept in an one-for-one exchange for Shealy. Post
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According to baltimoresun.com, these are the Oriole players available at the big-league level: Kevin Millar and Jeff Conine Luis Matos, Javy Lopez, LaTroy Hawkins, Bruce Chen and Rodrigo Lopez.
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And, of course, Tracy Ringolsby responds:
Boston, Baltimore and Toronto have shown interest in first baseman Ryan Shealy, currently with Triple-A Colorado Springs and blocked from the big leagues by Todd Helton. The Rockies, though, are looking for what they feel is similar value.
They want a young pitcher who can step into the rotation. So far, teams that have inquired about Shealy have not been willing to make that type of deal. Baltimore would like the Rockies to take catcher Javier Lopez, but Lopez is a veteran whose career is on the decline. The Chicago Cubs offered right-hander David Aardsma, a former Cherry Creek High School athlete, last month, but the Rockies see him as a setup or middle reliever.
6/19/06.. FOXSports.com
Rockies first baseman Todd Helton went 4-for-12 last weekend in St. Louis, but a scout who attended the series says Helton still isn't at full strength, noting a decline in bat speed. "To me, he's just moving slower all around," the scout says. Helton was hospitalized with intestinal inflammation in late April and lost 10 pounds during his illness.
6/17/06.. MLB.com
The current road trip has been to two of the more humid cities in the NL, Washington and St. Louis. Hurdle said he is taking weather into account when making lineup decisions.
"I actually keep an eye on it from the beginning of the season, but you highlight it during the hot days," Hurdle said. "When it gets hot, you have time zone schedules and time zone changes. All of that comes into play."
6/16/06.. RoxHead
There's been rumors flying around concerning the Rockies interest in outfielder Carl Crawford of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. There is some good things in Crawford's abilities that would fit into the Rockies lineup. First, he can play centerfield and second he can bat leadoff, both of which the team needs to address. Cory Sullivan is an excellent defensive center fielder with hot and cold tendency's at the plate from the left side that translate into poor, or at least spotty, leadoff performances. His best asset offensively is his ability to bunt. Most think, including myself, that Sully's future with the team is as a 4th or 5th outfielder who can play all three positions. Ryan Spilborghs, the current Hurdle favorite, is a notch below Sullivan defensively, but a notch or two better at the plate in terms of consistent hitting ability. He is not a consideration at leadoff. Choo Freeman hasn't been given a long look in center yet so one begins to wonder if the front office has already made up its mind about him there. He has some ability's that translate to leading off but they are not tremendous. In addition to Jeff Salazar at AAA Colorado Springs, the Rockies farm system does have some talent in center coming up (i. e. Dexter Fowler, Jordan Czarniecki, Christopher Frey and David Christensen) but they won't be here for a few years at best.
Back to rumor at hand.. Most believe the Rays are asking for prospects that include both position players and pitching. Some media outlets have told us that Ryan Shealy and/or Jeff Baker would be involved, along with a pitching prospect, most likely Ubaldo Jimenez.
First off, Crawford has been on record saying that he does not like playing in center so getting past that obstacle would be a priority before making the trade. Second, forget about what you are hearing concerning the position players the Rays may be asking for because I can assure you all that Rays GM John Higgins is starting with the names of Ian Stewart and Troy Tulowitzki. In fact, every trade any GM starts off a conversation with Dan O'Dowd is going to include those two names. Since the Rays just drafted Evan Longoria, who plays third, then they may be zeroing in on Tulo. As for the pitchers, O'Dowd is facing a similar trend. Every conversation starts with Jeff Francis and Jimenez. He may be able to hold off trading Francis but he'll never get anywhere with Higgens unless Jimenez is on the table.
The question then becomes.. is there a better offer from other teams? Yes. The Angels seem to be the front runners because of the rumor that they would include pitcher Ervin Santana. I'm not sure how accurate that is but it seems a bit fishy to me. Santana is already proving himself at the major league level. He is the kind of player one trades for... not trades away. The other rumored players are in the minors and are probably more accurate.
If that rumor proves false, then the Rockies have as much a chance as anyone to land Crawford. All they would have to do is be willing to let Tulo go along with Shealy and a pitcher like U-ball.
6/13/06
Second baseman Luis Gonzalez was reinstated from the 15-day disabled list on Monday and then optioned to Triple-A Colorado Springs. Gonzalez was placed on the DL on May 28 with inflammation in both wrists.
6/11/06
Reliever Mike DeJean will undergo season-ending surgery on Wednesday.
6/9/06
The New York Mets traded slumping second baseman Kazuo Matsui and cash to the Colorado Rockies for utilityman Eli Marrero on Friday. Matsui was optioned to the Springs. Outfielder Jorge Piedra was called up.
6/8/06
The Rockies announced that infielder Jason Smith had accepted his assignment to Triple-A Colorado Springs and could play Thursday. The Rockies had not heard whether right-handed pitcher Sun-Woo Kim, who like Smith was designated for assignment on Saturday, will accept his Triple-A assignment or opt for free agency.
6/3/06
The Rockies recalled right-handed relief pitcher Scott Dohmann and infielder Omar Quintanilla from Triple-A Colorado Springs and designated right-handed pitcher Sun-Woo Kim and infielder Jason Smith for assignment.
6/2/06
The Colorado Rockies announced this afternoon that they have reinstated catcher Yorvit Torrealba off the 15-day disabled list. To make room on the roster for Torrealba, the club has optioned catcher Miguel Ojeda to Colorado Springs.
5/30/06
The Rockies are among the teams that would relish the chance to acquire Marlins left-hander Dontrelle Willis, but they won't trade either of their two top position prospects, Double-A shortstop Troy Tulowitzki or Double-A third baseman Ian Stewart.
The Rockies also will not rush Tulowitzki to the majors, even though they rank 30th in the N.L. in OPS at shortstop. Shortstop Clint Barmes eventually will move to second to accommodate Tulowitzki. In the meantime, the Rockies could pursue a short-term solution at second - someone like the Cubs' Todd Walker, who played for Colorado in 2000 and '01. FOXSports.com
5/29/06
Outfielder Ryan Spilborghs was called up to the Rockies on Sunday because second baseman Luis Gonzalez went to the 15-day disabled list with wrist inflammation.
5/26/06
Danny Ardoin was placed on the 15-day DL. JD Closser was called up from the Springs to replace him.
5/21/06
Chin-Hui Tsao threw a 20-pitch bullpen session on Sunday, but there remains no set timetable in his recovery from shoulder surgery. "We're still writing in pencil," Hurdle said. "No ink with him." MLB.com
5/18/06
Found this quote on MLB.com that puts a question in my mind whether or not Clint Hurdle is really, or ever has been, comfortable with Cory Sullivan as the leadoff hitter:
"(Sullivan) hasn't been lights out and hasn't been bad -- it's been all right," Rockies manager Clint Hurdle said. "Strikeouts, that's not something we like from the top of the order, but we're not a perfect club. We knew that coming out of Spring Training."
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The Chicago Cubs have shown only "mild" interest in Rockies first-base prospect Ryan Shealy so far. Rocky
5/16/06
Defense has been a Rockies mainstay this season, with the team leading the league in fielding for May. With 13 games under their belts this month, the Rockies have made just two errors in 472 chances, for a .996 fielding percentage, .001 behind the Red Sox, baseball's best for the month. MLB.com
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Right-hander Sun-Woo Kim will have at least one more injury rehab start at Triple-A Colorado Springs. MLB.com
5/15/06
The Rockies dropped Barmes out of the No. 2 spot to primarily seventh a week ago to try to halt the nosedive in his batting average. He has since gone 2-for-21. Both hits were doubles. But hard-hit balls have been few. MLB.com
----Obviously Clint Barmes is struggling at the plate. However, don't be too anxious to get him out of there in favor of Troy Tulowitzki. Tulo is in AA and really needs another full year of seasoning in the minors before being thrown into the pressures in the "Show". He is still getting used to the wooden bat and the constant struggle of playing everyday.
The Rockies are still hanging in there at the top of the division and any kind of bombshell such as benching a Barmes in favor of Tulo might not have the desired effect in the clubhouse. RoxHead
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Hurdle said. "I'm happy with the defensive play of both our catchers. But with the exception of when [strong-hitting pitcher Jason] Jennings has been in the lineup, seven, eight and nine in the order haven't been very viable on offense. We're almost playing six innings on offense. MLB.com
---- This has been the main problem of the lineup from almost the beginning of the year. The Rockies are not playing with 27 outs in a game but rather 18-21. It's amazing that they have the record they do with that kind of performance. RoxHead
5/10/06
The Rox finally have a day off after playing 20 straight games. They went 12-8 in that stretch.
Aaron Cook has yet to pitch a game this season where he didn't get credited with a RoxHead.com quality start.
5/08/06
Hurdle said that rather than being intimidated by playing the Cardinals, who have won 100 games or more each of the past two seasons, in front of a sellout crowd in their new stadium, his young team embraced the challenge.
"We're just going out and playing," Hurdle said. "This club looks forward to getting the opportunity to play the game. The bigger the venue, a little more focus, a little more hype - they don't mind that. It's all part of their learning process." FOXSports.com
5/5/06
Dick and Charlie Monfort have indicated that they add payroll at the trading deadline if the team is contending. However, the key figure will be the attendance. That revenue will play a large role in the type of player, if any, the Rockies add. Post
5/3/06
Sun-Woo Kim will make his third rehab start for the Sky Sox Thursday morning, and is expected to throw 102 pitches, at which point his progress will be reevaluated.
Catcher Yorvit Torrealba continues to make progress, working his way back from a right shoulder strained during Spring Training. He played long toss on Wednesday, and should begin throwing to the bases with bench coach Jamie Quirk in the next two days, weather permitting.
Chin-hui Tsao, recovering from last season's right shoulder surgery, is expected to throw his first bullpen session this week. MLB.com
5/2/06
The Rockies are 8-2 in gray (road), 4-4 in white (home), 2-1 overall (1-0 at home) in black sleeveless alternative and 0-3 in white sleeveless alternative. MLB.com
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First baseman Todd Helton will begin a minor league rehab assignment at Triple-A Colorado Springs on Tuesday.He is expected to start and play five innings against Tacoma. The Rockies didn't say how long the rehab stint would last.
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Russ Swan, a left-handed pitcher who spent parts of six seasons with three major league teams, has died following a fall in which he hit his head, a family member said. He was 42. AP
Swan was a pitchng coach at Tri-City last year.
5/1/06
Colorado right-hander Sun-Woo Kim, who is on the disabled list with a bruised right shin, pitched well in a rehab start for Triple-A Colorado Springs over the weekend. Kim has rejoined the club in Atlanta, but will not be activated until he makes least one more rehab start. Rockies manager Clint Hurdle said he wanted Kim to do his between-starts work while watched by the Major League staff. MLB.com
4/29/06
Yorvit Torrealba, projected to get a large share of the catching duty before he suffered a right shoulder strain in Spring Training, is progressing slowly. Hurdle said Torrealba has not been able to throw on consecutive days and sometimes needs two days between sessions. MLB.com
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Miguel Asencio was sent to Triple-A Colorado Springs to make room for BK Kim.
4/28/06
Jose Mesa has been suspended for four games and fined an undisclosed amount for intentionally throwing a pitch at the head area of SF's Omar Vizquel during the top of the 8th inning of the game on Saturday, April 22, 2006. --- Under Appeal.
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Right-hander Mike DeJean, on the DL with shoulder soreness, will soon throw a bullpen session, then two days later he will face hitters before beginning his rehab assignment. MLB.com
4/27/06
Hurdle said that Byung-Hyun Kim could replace Miguel Asencio as Sunday's starting pitcher at Florida.
Kim has been on the disabled list since Spring Training with a strained right groin. He recently made three starts with Triple-A Colorado Springs and could be placed in the rotation on Sunday if a blister on his middle right finger is cleared up. He may join the Rockies as early as Friday in Florida. MLB.com
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Rockies bench coach Jamie Quirk calls third baseman Garrett Atkins "the best hitter people don't know about." Rockies G.M. Dan O'Dowd says Atkins' defensive improvement "blows me away."
Atkins, 26, receives far less attention than some of the game's other top young third baseman - the Marlins' Miguel Cabrera, Mets' David Wright, Nationals' Ryan Zimmerman and Reds' Edwin Encarnacion.
But that figures to change.
Atkins' power might never reach the level of Wright's and Cabrera's, but he could be a future batting champion. He already has accomplished the improbable feat of forcing the Rockies to consider moving third baseman Ian Stewart - their best prospect since Todd Helton - to right field. FOXSports.com
4/26/06.. RoxHead.. RC
Eli Marrero has started off on fire this season and is quickly becomming a favorite Roxhead star. Mr. Marrero is a 32 year old who some how escaped the hell hole called Cuba. He was raised in Coral Gables, Florida and was the 88th pick in the 1993 draft. He was chosen in the third round by the Cardinals. He is listed as being 6' 1" and weighs 180. I have noticed that they always, mis report weight and I think stats use the players drafted weight and not the current weight which is more likely to be about 200. He did not go to college.
You will notice that he has absolutely no history of being able to hit at the Major League level. He has been a bench / utility player who hits about .250 and gets about 150 ab’s per season. On the flip side his bat has a little pop as he hits a home run every 30 ab’s. So far he is off to a great start as he’s batting .303, 4 hr, 9 rbi and he’s even stolen three bases.
He is also very versatile as he plays in the outfield, first base and we’ve also learned that he has history as a catcher as well and quite honestly, the Rockies could use a catcher that can hit.
Lets hope he keeps it up. It’s a long season and the Rockies will need this kind of production from him all season long. Let’s hope that he has found a home in Coors Field.
4/24/06.. RoxHead
The time has come to think about some things to help push the Rockies over the top this season. Obviously, the division is still there for the taking because each team looks to have improved only slightly from last years debacle. 85-90 wins should do it. This current Rockie team will most likely fight and claw itself to a .500 record.
So what does the management need to do in order to snag that extra 4 to 9 wins this year? Well, the thinking here is to trade for Dontrelle Willis. Evidently Florida still intends to trade him and most media outlets are reporting that the same old big named clubs will be making the moves on Florida with the current rumor being a trade for Mets third-baseman David Wright. The Rockies aren't even given a courtesy word in the matter. However, no other team has as much to offer as the Rockies do. We all know that Dan O'Dowd is just itching to make a trade. He just can't help himself in that regard.
I've asked the question before and it would take something like it, but why not offer a package a players for Willis with Ian Stewart in it? Listen, Garrett Atkins is going to be a nice third-baseman for many years to come. And yes, all indications are that Stewart will probably be a superstar, but superstars also command huge contractual obligations. The Atkins of the world don't. The Rockies already have one mega-star contract on the books.. they can't handle many more and if they could, then perhaps it should be on the pitching side.
All right, I know you're saying that we've argued before that the Rockies shouldn't spend the big bucks on pitching, but a Willis is a special kind of situation. The Rockies would have control over his rights until after the 2008 season and yes Willis' salaries in arbitration likely will exceed $7 million '07 and $10 million in '08. But his arrival would change the entire dynamic of the franchise. Willis is one of the few players in the majors who is an actual draw. And that's almost 3 full seasons of service before he hits free agency if O'Dowd pulled the trigger sooner rather than later.
Can you imagine a starting rotation like this:
1. Dontrelle Willis
2. Aaron Cook
3. Jeff Francis
4. Jason Jennings
5. Josh Fogg
I guarantee you there is a few extra wins in that rotation somewhere and it could happen if you'd be willing to give up a Ian Stewart to get them.
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The Rockies announced that first baseman Todd Helton was released on Monday morning from Rose Medical Center in Denver.
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The Rockies have had their troubles with illness early this season. At least six players and coaches have experienced two types of illnesses since late in Spring Training, suffering from either upper respiratory problems or stomach-related, flu-type symptoms, accompanied by pain and cramping. Among those affected were Scott Dohmann, Eli Marrero, Jason Jennings, Matt Holliday, Sun-Woo Kim, coach Davey Collins and Garrett Atkins, who was out of the lineup Saturday with flu-like symptoms. MLB.com
4/23/06
Sun-Woo Kim, on the disabled list with a right shin contusion, threw a bullpen session Sunday and is slated to make a rehab start for the Triple-A Sky Sox on Tuesday. He is penciled in for three starts before being re-evaluated. MLB.com
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The Mets would consider claiming Zach Day (1-2, 10.80 ERA) off waivers or try to sign the pitcher to a minor-league contract if he becomes a free agent. But Day, designated for assignment by the Rockies, is more likely to be traded elsewhere. Omar Minaya employed Day in Montreal. The Mets and Rockies spoke late in spring training about a potential swap. New York Daily News
----We told you all that after Day's two good starts late in Camp Tuscon that his value would never be higher...
4/22/06
The Colorado Rockies announced this afternoon that they have placed first baseman Todd Helton on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to April 20. To take Helton's spot on the 25-man roster, the club has purchased the contract of outfielder Ryan Spilborghs (#19) from Triple-A Colorado Springs. To make room on the 40-man roster for Spilborghs, the club has designated right-handed pitcher Eduardo Sierra for assignment.
4/21/06
Pitcher Zach Day was designated for assignment and Miguel Asencio was called up from the Sky Sox to take his place in the starting rotation.
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Todd Helton was hospitalized overnight with stomach pains and a fever. The team hopes to know more regarding him on Saturday.
More on Helton:
A rival GM says of Rockies first baseman Todd Helton: "He looks like the vintage Helton. And putting (Garret) Atkins behind him makes them better. He's not as dangerous as Matt (Holliday), but he's harder to pitch to." Atkins is batting fourth, Holliday fifth. FOXSports.com
4/18/06
Right-hander Sun-Woo Kim, who struggled through his first three outings, revealed on Tuesday that he has a right shin injury. The Rockies placed him on the 15-day disabled list. Kim said the injury occurred on Friday night, when he was hit by a line drive by Phillies pitcher Ryan Madson. Kim said he hopes to begin his injury rehab assignment on April 25 for Triple-A Colorado Springs at Tucson, Ariz. MLB.com
----Yeah right. This was an injury of convenience and was a sneaky way for the Rox to get some more time for Kim to gain arm strength without exposing him in waivers. Now they can have him spend up to 30 days in a injury rehab situation before having to have to make a roster decision.
4/16/06
Mike DeJean, who went on the DL with right shoulder tendinitis on Wednesday, is expected to start throwing again in the middle of the upcoming week.
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Scott Dohmann was scheduled to pitch for Triple-A Colorado Springs on Sunday afternoon as part of his rehab assignment in coming back from an illness that kept him off the Opening Day roster. Dohmann made three appearances for Class A Modesto and could be ready to return to the Rockies shortly. MLB.com
4/15/06
For those who don't like the RoxHead Quality start stat, check the quote Jason Jennings made to the Associated Press after his start saturday night against the Phillies.
"That's a Coors Field start right there, keeping us in the game," Jennings said.
Jennings line was 6 innings pitched and four runs allowed, which is a quality start in our books.
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Yorvit Torrealba threw for the first time since Spring Training on Saturday. He has been rehabilitating a right shoulder strain, and although he has been able to hit, he had been shut down from throwing since the end of March. MLB.com
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Byung-Hyun Kim started for Triple-A Colorado Springs on Saturday, throwing "close to 60 pitches," according to Clint Hurdle, going 3 2/3 innings while giving up on run on three hits, striking out four while walking one.
Head trainer Keith Dugger reported that Kim's strained hamstring has not bothered him since pitching in a simulated game earlier in the week. He will pitch again in four days, shooting for 80 pitches. MLB.com
4/14/06
Quote on ESPN.com about the Rockies hot start..
"I think they just had a good week," said one front-office man. … "On paper, I can't get too excited about that team," said an NL GM, "even though 85 might win that division."
----RoxHead can guarantee you that the second quote came from a Billy Beaner type GM because of the high strikeout totals at the plate the Rockies are currently having.
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Colorado RHP Byung-Hyun Kim (strained right hamstring) is scheduled to make a 60-pitch rehab outing Saturday for Triple-A Colorado Springs.
4/13/06
Clint Hurdle decided to bench Matt Holliday and Danny Ardoin for costing the team a run in Wednesday nights game. Holliday because of a lack of hustle and Ardoin for not using his head.
"There come certain situations where I think a manager has an opportunity to make a statement to his team," Hurdle said. "I might have missed one with (Cory) Sullivan earlier in the season. That kind of falls in the same line of what happened last night, and I just wasn't going to let it go any further.
"Let these guys know that when we don't finish plays ... it basically comes down to a shortage of effort. We're going to make physical mistakes. I'm going to make wrong decisions. Bad judgment comes into play. There are a lot of gray areas. You want the punishment to fit the crime, and in this case, I needed to make a statement to the club." MLB.com
RoxHead has to slap Hurdle on the back for this. Too many times in today's game managers and coach's are left holding the bag when their athletes don't give an honest day's effort and nothing drives fans away faster than seeing the inmates running the asylum.
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An MRI of Mike DeJean revealed a shoulder strain but no structural damage, meaning the veteran should miss approximately three weeks instead of months.
4/12/06
Clint Hurdle talking to the media about comparing this Rockie team to others from the past:
"We've got to play and win games. That's the best answer to all the baggage that any group will carry here that plays in Colorado from the previous records," manager Clint Hurdle said. "This group has an opportunity to define itself and separate themselves from some of that baggage." AP
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Mike DeJean was placed on the 15-day disabled list. Ramon Ramirez was called up from the Sky Sox to replace him.
-----Ramirez came over from the Yankees in the Shawn Chacon trade. Was this call up an attempt to save face by Dan O'Dowd? Certainly there were better options.
4/10/06
Garrett Atkins was named the Bank of America National League Player of Week.
----There has been no bigger supporter of Atkins than we have been here at RoxHead. When all others have doubted his abilities, we have only praised them by reporting to you what our scouting eye see's. When all were calling for Ian Stewart or Jeff Baker or anybody but Atkins, we were calmly writing here that this man is the real deal... just give him time. It should prove that if you want to know what is what and who can play and who can not, that you must visit RoxHead to get the scoop.
4/9/06
Right-hander Byung-Hyun Kim, on the disabled list with a hamstring strain, threw a 50-pitch bullpen session on Saturday. Pitching coach Bob Apodaca said Kim is healing faster than he originally thought he would, but cautioned that he'd need to be able to throw 100 pitches before the Rockies bring him back.
Head trainer Keith Dugger said Kim will perform fielding drills on Sunday, and throw a simulated game at Arizona, most likely on Wednesday. Afterward, the club will determine whether to send him on a rehab assignment. MLB.com
4/7/06
Outfielder Jorge Piedra is striding but not running at full speed in Tucson as he recovers from plantar fasciitis in his left heel. He will not begin hitting until he can sprint. ... Right-handed reliever Scott Dohmann, recovering from a viral infection, retired five batters on 21 pitches in a camp game in Tucson, Ariz., on Thursday. He will pitch an inning on Sunday, most likely as the starter, for Class A Modesto at Stockton to begin his injury rehab assignment. The Rockies want him to be able to pitch more than one inning and on consecutive days before evaluating his return. ... Following an MRI exam that revealed a strained right shoulder, catcher Yorvit Torrealba has been prohibited from throwing for two weeks. Torrealba is being allowed to catch bullpen sessions, but not throw the ball back to the pitcher. MLB.com
4/3/06.. Opening Day.. RoxHead.. Head Bum
It's opening day once again. Time to begin anew, to be full of optimism and hope. Will the Rockies compete this year? Will they fail quickly like last year?
The team is essentially the same as last year's. The young players now have another year under their belts and are ready for any surprises a long baseball season can throw at them. The division has improved slightly over last years debacle... but not much. There is a small opening in the door for the Rockies to jam their cleat into but do they have the talent to keep it in there as the other teams try to slam it closed?
The Rockies do have some pressure on them to perform at a higher level than last year. This not unexpected. They really need to make a run at winning 75-81 games. A .500 record would be a real sign that things are still moving in the right direction whereas a record closer to 70 wins would not.
The 2006 bullpen should help in that regard. Last year when Darren Oliver dogged the team and said 'no' to a move to the pen it really hurt the chemistry down there. When things went sour early on, there was no veteran to help right the sinking ship and it took O'Dowd six weeks to rectify it which was 5 weeks too late because the season was over by then as the Rox were 15-35. This year's pen won't let that happen.
The starting rotation is okay. The top three in Aaron Cook, Jason Jennings and Jeff Francis are good. Each should have a legit chance at winning 15 games, which is what you look for when sizing up a solid rotation, however, the 4th and 5th spots are horrible. That is unless Sun-Woo Kim gets healthy. S Kim is this writers dark horse. Should he emerge as a force in that 4th spot, then the Rox may really have a chance at finishing near, or even above, that .500 mark.
The offense should also be improved. Look for the team to have at least two hitters above the 20 homer mark whereas the 2005 team had none. Todd Helton and Matt Holliday will be the choices with Brad Hawpe coming close. Garrett Atkins' line drive swing may prevent him from ever being a homerun hitter.
The weak link in the team at this point looks to be at short. Clint Barmes has all the desire anyone would ever want to see in a player, but can he sustain his high energy to make up for his lack of talent for a whole season?
The team as a whole must pitch more consistently, hit with more power, hit with better purpose on the road, have better luck and stay healthy in the key positions in order for them to compete.
Can all that happen? Well, let's watch and find out, shall we?
PLAY BALL!!
4/2/06.. MLB.com
The Rockies designated right-hander Mike Esposito, already having been optioned to Triple-A, for assignment to clear a spot for catcher Miguel Ojeda -- added because Yorvit Torrealba went to the disabled list with a right shoulder strain.
3/31/06.. MLB.com
The Rockies' strategy is contrary to modern baseball theory -- that relievers are interchangeable, so it's foolish to pay much for them. This season, Colorado is spending more on Brian Fuentes and his three veteran setup men (a combined $8.3 million) than the top four pitchers in the starting rotation ($7.362 million).
3/29/06
The Rockies made a total of six cuts on Tuesday, sending catcher J.D. Closser, outfielder Jeff Baker, right-handed pitchers Acencio and Jose Acevedo, and infielders Carlos Rivera and Ian Stewart to their Minor League camp.
3/24/06.. MLB.com
Right-hander Chin-hui Tsao, who underwent rotator cuff surgery early last season, threw 25 pitches off the mound Friday in his first bullpen of Spring Training. By the end of the month he'll be throwing breaking pitches but will not be facing hitters, trainer Keith Dugger said.
3/23/06.. FOXSports.com
A good sign for the Rockies: First baseman Todd Helton says that in his 10 years with the club, the catching tandem of Danny Ardoin and Yorvit Torrealba is the best the team has had. The rotation and bullpen also appear in far better shape than in recent seasons, giving credence to the notion that the Rockies could be a surprise team.
3/15/06.. CBS.com
Infielder Josh Wilson is out four to six weeks after breaking his left big toe when he fouled a pitch off his foot.
3/11/06.. MLB.com
Clint Hurdle plans to steal runs and ball games from the opposition this season, and he is not bashful about tipping his hand in the spring.
"A lot of teams kind of keep things saddled up and close to the hip," Hurdle said. "We want to get everybody involved in game situations, whether it be the hit-and-run, the double steal, or the pickoff plays at second. If you see it happen, we're planning on using it. We're not trying to trick anybody. If we execute it well, it will be to our advantage.
3/8/06.. Rocky
Outfielder Jeff Salazar complained of a sore elbow after outfield work Tuesday morning. He will be re- examined today, along with outfielder Jorge Piedra, who is bothered by plantar fasciitis. Catcher Yorvit Torrealba reported no pain in his right elbow during Tuesday workouts and is scheduled to get his first action behind the plate today.
3/5/06... MLB.com
The Rockies' plan to have pitchers throw every fourth day instead of every fifth day until they're up to five innings or possibly one start beyond that. Rockies pitching coach Bob Apodaca said he had that program while coaching for the Mets a few years ago, when Al Leiter and Rick Reed showed durability.
3/3/06
The Rockies added utilityman Eli Marrero to the 40-man Major League roster, and placed right-handed pitcher Chin-hui Tsao on the 60-day disabled list.
2/23/06.. MLB.com
The Rockies have reached an agreement on a Minor League contract with outfielder Ernie Young, who has played in the Majors with Oakland (1994-97), Kansas City (1998), Arizona (1999), Detroit (2003) and Cleveland (2004). The Rockies also have a Minor League deal with infielder Jesse Garcia, who has played with Baltimore (1999-2000), Atlanta (2001-04) and San Diego (2005).
Neither was invited to big-league camp.
Rox Head... R.C.
The 5th outfielder.
Tracy Ringolsby writes about the monumental task of selecting a 5th outfielder. The mind reels at the importance of this decision. The very season hangs in the balance. Never the less, I suppose the Rockies will need the all important 5th outfielder, but who should this person be?
Choo Freeman is a possibility and given a name like Choo, perhaps he should be a front runner. I like the name Choo, the Rockies would be the only team in baseball with a Choo on the team. New jokes could emerge, for example. "He puts on his Choos". Now on to the facts. In 8 years of minor league baseball he has hit .273 and struck out once every four at bats and he only walks once every 10.4 ab's. As much as I like the name Choo I don't think Choo is our guy.
Eli Marrero is a second possibility. Not as good a name, but he is from Cuba and I have a soft spot for anyone who can escape that god forsaken island. Unfortunately, this guy is a career .250 hitter. On top of that he only walks once every 12 at bats, so he has no command of the strike zone and he strikes out once every 5.6 ab's. This guy is not and never will be a major league player.
Ryan Spilborghs is a third option. I like this guy the best so far. He has four years of minor league experience and has batted .284. Troubles arise though as he strikes out once every 4.5 ab's. He has a decent command of the strike zone and gets a walk once every 8.3 ab's. Last year he scored 101 runs and hit 84 RBI's in only 131 games and those are very good numbers. Given the high strike outs I can guarantee that he will be of no value on when the Rockies are on the road.
Ryan Shealy is a first baseman who could possibly move the outfield. He is the best hitter of all and in four years in the Minors he has hit .324. Last year he hit 28 homers, 104 RBI and scored 99 runs. He K's once every 4.4 times at bat which is typical for any one in the Rockies organization. He gets one walk every 8.5 ab's. If the organization thinks this guy can convert to the outfield then he is our man. He may also do so well that he earns more time playing. He can also give Helton days off at first base. The only problem will be his poor command of the plate and we predict that he will be a liability on the road.
Jeff Baker is a third basemen who could also transfer to the outfield and probably do it better that Shealy. His numbers are decent but not nearly as good at Shealy's so we will stick with Shealy.
Based on historical numbers, we would go with Ryan Shealy. Spring Training will show us if he can play in the outfield and don't forget that Hawpe was a first basement who will one day become a great Right Fielder.
info...
Friday - Pitchers and catchers report; Saturday - First official workout; Feb. 22 - Position players report; Feb. 24 - First full-team workout; March 3 - Minor-league pitchers and catchers report; March 11 - Minor- league position players report.
2/11/06
The Rockies bolstered the ranks of their infield Saturday, acquiring Jamey Carroll from the Nationals in exchange for cash considerations, which according to a Nationals press release is $300,000. He will make $700,000 this year.
---A million bucks for another utility player.
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With this move, the Rockies now have 40 players on the club's 40-man roster.
2/10/06
The Colorado Rockies have agreed to terms on a one-year contract with right-handed pitcher Josh Fogg, pending the completion of a physical. He signed a guaranteed contract worth $450,000 ... with incentives he has the ability to earn up to $550,000 more.
----If they really got him for only $450k, then Rox Head has no problem with this addition.
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Because of the recent shoulder injury and surgery to Ryan Speier, the club released the right-handed relief pitcher before re-signing him to a minor league contract.
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With these moves, the Rockies still have 39 players on the club's 40-man roster.
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The Rockies are looking at signing former Arizona pitcher Mike Gosling. ... The Rockies would like to add a veteran utilityman during spring training and will watch Jamey Carroll's situation in Washington. Post
Rox Head.com
Rockies manager Clint Hurdle and general manager Dan O'Dowd have been signed to one-year contract extensions through the 2007 season. We know that most fans are clamoring for a change but at this point it would be ridiculous to do so. Obviously the Rox are in a rebuilding mode so firing O'Dowd and Hurdle would be completely dumb because a change now would just add more time to this already long process.
Patience is the key however hard that may be. Nobody knows the prospects down on the farm and in the bigleagues currently as well as these guys do including the people behind the scenes like Bill Geivett and Marc Gustafson. If a change occurred now, then you can imagine a wholesale change in the player development team. This change would require years of patience by a region of fans already overloaded with impatience.
Clearly, if you listen to both O'Dowd and Hurdle speak, then you can hear in those conversations and interviews that their knowledge of the game is sound. Sometimes this know-how gets blind sighted by circumstance. This comes from a few different sources. This first one being an ownership group that is in an industry that they are incapable of competing with. Some of the deals O'Dowd has made make no baseball sense and you can only read between the lines to see that he probably isn't making these moves and the ownership budget constraints are.
The second being the Rockie fans who are seeing other teams with a less enthusiastic fan base winning championships while their team is not. It is completely mindboggling to many in the rocky mountain region that both the Marlins and the DBacks have won titles. This irritates them more than anything else and because of that, then you can hear the mighty grumble calling for a change.
I think the extension thru the 2007 season is an excellent amount of time. We should have a good idea as to how this phase is coming along by then. It won't take a brain surgeon to see if it isn't working by just watching not only the results on the field, but also the player maneuvering O'Dowd is trying.
2/03/06
The Rox won their arbitration case against right-handed pitcher Sunny Kim, only the second arbitration case in franchise history. An arbitrator ruled Thursday in favor of the Rockies' $600,000 offer, which was $200,000 less than what Kim was seeking. Meanwhile, they agreed to terms with catcher Yorvit Torrealba, which avoids their other potential arbitration case this off-season. Torrealba will have a base salary of $850,000 and an opportunity to add $150,000 through incentives.
2/01/06
A salary arbitration for pitcher Sunny Kim, only the second in Rockies' history, will be held today in Tampa, Fla. Kim has been asking for $800,000 but the Rockies have offered only $600,000.
----Kim has a lot of nerve asking for that kind of money considering he was cut from the Nationals and out of work before the Rockies signed him off the unemployment line.
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Colorado Rockies right-handed pitcher Ryan Speier underwent surgery Wednesday for a torn labrum in his right shoulder that could keep him out the entire season. AP
----More Labrum problems for the Rox.
1/31/06
The Rockies remain strong candidates to sign pitcher Josh Fogg and have offered him a guaranteed contract. The Rockies, meanwhile, lost out on signing utilityman Ramon Martinez, who chose the Los Angeles Dodgers. Post
1/27/06
Manager Clint Hurdle said the Rockies are no longer considering signing Royce Clayton for a utility role, but Ramon Martinez remains a possibility. Post
1/26/06
Because of the WBC, the Rockies announced Wednesday that they've extended camp invitations to left-handed pitchers Justin Hampson and Zack Parker; right-handed pitchers Jim Miller, Sandy Nin, and Judd Songster; catchers and Chris Iannetta and Dan Conway, and infielders Ian Stewart and Troy Tulowitzki. MLB.com
---Excellent. Hopefully a game will be televised in which some of these guys will appear so that we all can get a look at them.
1/23/06
The Rockies are trying to finalize their spring roster, and they remain interested in a veteran utility infielder, which could be Royce Clayton if he is ready to accept a backup role, and another veteran reliever, which has led to continuing talks with Jim Brower and Brian Meadows. Rocky
----Wasted effort.
1/20/06
The club has initiated discussions with Royce Clayton, their starting shortstop in 2004, while continuing dialogue with Ramon Martinez. Martinez told his agent that he likes Colorado, but with heavy interest from the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants. Denver Post
----Yawn.
1/17/06
Colorado right-handed pitcher Zach Day agreed to a one-year, $600,000 contract with incentives on Tuesday to avoid arbitration. Day can earn an addition $25,000 with 140 innings pitched, and $25,000 beyond that with 150 innings pitched.
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Sunny Kim is eligible for arbitration for the first time. The Rockies offered $600,000, and Kim filed for $800,000. He made the major-league minimum $316,000 last year and is represented by hard-line agent Scott Boras.
Yorvit Torrealba, acquired from Seattle in a December trade, asked for $1.05 million. The Rockies countered with $815,000, which represents a raise of $100,000 over his salary in 2005 when he hit a combined .234 with three homers and 15 RBI in 76 games for San Francisco and Seattle. Rocky
1/13/06
Friday, Aaron Cook signed a two-year, $4.5 million contract agreement with the Rockies with an option for 2008. He will receive salaries of $1.2 million this season and $3.05 million next, with a club option for 2008 that's currently valued at $4.35 million but vests at $5 million if he throws 400 innings over the next two seasons. His also is guaranteed a $100,000 signing bonus and a $200,000 buyout on the option.
1/08/06
Utility player Eli Marrero agreed in principle to a one-year, $750,000 minor-league contract.
----The Rockies are becoming the Baseball King of the utility players.
1/07/06...Rocky
The Rockies announced Byung-Hyun Kim will return for a second season, agreeing to terms on a one-year contract, and acquired middle infielder Josh Wilson from the Florida Marlins for future considerations to fill a utility void. Terms of Kim's deal were not announced, but it is believed to carry a $1.25 million base salary with a $250,000 buyout on an option for 2007.
----Finally, the Rox get some rotation depth. Even though we aren't too excited about having a 5 or 6 inning starter that ruins the bullpen, at least he has shown some ability to be effective, especailly at Coors where he posted a 4.50 ERA in 2005.
Also, this allows Zach Day and Mike Esposito to pitch in Colorado Springs and be available for eventual replacement parts in the big-league rotation.
1/04/06
Colorado and Toronto have been mentioned as possible destinations for the Pirates, Craig Wilson. Beaver County.com
----Wilson has shown some power in the past and thus he should since he strikes out almost 1 in every three times at bat.
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Along with Willie Harris, the Rockies also have interest in shortstop Alex Gonzalez, who played last season with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays after originally signing with the Toronto Blue Jays and also playing with the Chicago Cubs; former Minnesota Twins second baseman Luis Rivas; and outfielder Jeff DaVanon, who thought he had a deal in place with the Arizona Diamondbacks but was jilted in favor of Eric Byrnes; and Royals utility player Eli Marrero. Rocky
----So exciting.
1/03/06
The Rockies will talk with the agent for reliever Brian Meadows this week. Veteran right-hander Felix Rodriguez, whom they pursued early, is still on the market as well. Post
----No Comment.
