This off season was so boring that the RWOers thought the Rockies would regress in a major way. All we did was change the hitting coach and sign Dan Murphy. Murphy was essentially a swap for DJLM who headed to the pressure cooker that is the New York Yankees.
Then we got earth shattering news that Arenado got locked up for the next eight years when most people thought this year would be his final season in a Rockies uniform. He does have an opt out after the third year, but he is getting paid so much money it is highly doubtful he would find the greener pastures in the fourth year. He probably chose to have that option in case Colorado regressed back to perennial 70-game win seasons.
Unlike other big contracts in the history of the franchise, he does have pitching that is good enough to lead the Rockies to frequent post season appearances. Kyle Freeland and German Marquez have established themselves as the first two starters of the rotation. Jon Gray is expected to have a bounce back year. The reports have been glowing regarding the Gray Wolf other than his new hairdo.
Long at least we have a brand new thread to discuss spring training. I am still without internet service in the new construction neighborhood so I am using Wi-Fi at the timeshare resort I’m staying at. Tomorrow (Sunday 3/3/2019) EdTheUmp and I will meet up at the Tavern Grille near SRFATS. I will write new posts as the week goes by. I’m looking forward to watching Peter Lambert, Colton Welker, Ryan McMahon, and Garrett Hampson. I hope we can find a new centerfielder that will push Ian Desmond to bench as a super utility player.
Go Rockies, let’s win the division! 93 wins will get us there, only two better than last season.
I arrived Saturday night and took in the first game Sunday. We took our day off from baseball yesterday. Here’s my brief observations (and no back field observations yet and maybe not ever). Sunday’s game was essentially Opening Day lineup except for Dahl in LF (replaced by Tapia). The SP was none other than Kyle Freeland. What impressed me most was his mental fitness and working quickly. Every time there’s a runner or two on base, he makes it more… Read more »
Thumbs up!
Excellent, RMH! My assignment for you, should you choose to accept it: how’s McMahon looking at 2B? He’s tearing it up at the plate so far this spring, so if he can perform competently at 2B I’ve got to think we’ll see him starting there in a platoon (Valaika? Hampson? Both?) at a minimum. I potential big power bat at that position would be huge for this offense.
Today McMahon played 1B with Brendon Rodgers at 2B. It looks like BB wants to have McMahon play both positions. I haven’t seen enough fielding to pass judgement.
Interesting tidbit here Ag – I believe I’m correct in saying Valaika has yet to play a single inning at 2B this Spring (I checked the other day, and he had not, but maybe he’s snuck some time in the last couple of days? I think not). If I’m correct, I think this is a little bit telling. Things to think about/process – we know Tom Murphy is out of options (as is Tapia). We know the KC Royals have… Read more »
Valaika played 2nd for 5 innings today. Story saved him an error by grabbing a ball that Valaika misplayed and then Story threw the runner out at 1st.
Here’s where I’m at as of today (still a couple of weeks to go obviously): McMahon and Hampson both make team. Reynolds makes team over Valaika (Valaika and Rodgers in ABQ). Murphy gets traded and/or DFA’d. I “think” Tapia makes the team, but feel least sure about him (amongst the everyday players).
I can’t wrap my head around the BP because the older, expensive guys are the ones that should get cut, but probably won’t.
D J Johnson (0.00 ERA) has been doing good as has Dunn (0.00 ERA). McGee (9.00 ERA and 2 BS) & Shaw (9.82 ERA 0-1) are still looking like the weak links although Shaw did well to get out of his inning with just one run scoring. He did have a good clean inning the other day.
Nailed it!
From my observation, Valaika ranged far to the right to stop the ball from getting to the outfield and it caromed off the glove right to Story. It would not have been an error had the runner reached.
I went to the game today vs. the Cubs in which the Rockies won 7-5. I was about to say Rockies is just continuing their offensive funk for the last three games. Until Colorado started hitting home runs. That was still a problem manufacturing runs other than home runs. Only one swing by Tom Murphy with a bases clearing double was scored without a home run. I’d say the offense stinks just about the whole week I’ve watched them play.… Read more »
Great stuff!
I haven’t quite thrown in the towel yet on Tom Murphy making the Club over Wolters. Wolters has an option.
You make an excellent point regarding manufacturing runs. IMO, it’s been years since the Rockies have manufactured runs. This issue is why I’m enamored with Hampson. I think that dude batting somewhere near the top of the order, especially on the road, is very intriguing.
I’m pretty sure Tom Murphy is out of options.
Out of options.
Caelos Estevez
Scott Oberg
Chris Rusin
Tom Murphy
Raimel Tapia
http://rockiesroster.com/rockies/40-man/
Carlos Estevez (oops)
Turns out Estevez DOES have an option remaining via some sort of obscure rule and/or weird circumstance.
From MLBTradeRumors: “Contrary to popular belief, Rockies reliever Carlos Estevez is not out of minor league options, Thomas Harding of MLB.com tweets. Rather, the Rockies will be able to demote Estevez this season “based on complicated regulations regarding full seasons played and age at the time of signing,” Harding writes. That will afford the Rockies more flexibility in their bullpen, where it appeared they’d either have to keep Estevez or potentially lose him. The 26-year-old was a part of the… Read more »
Excellent news, Carp and Bob K – Estevez is not an arm I’d want to lose, and he’d be claimed by someone right away. Prediction: McGee will be a surprise cut. Dunn looks healthy again, DJ Johnson is continuing his improbable run, Estevez is looking dominant … there’s not any reason to carry him any more, big contract or not.
Prediction: Murphy will come down with a phantom injury that gets him DL’d to start the season, followed by a rehab assignment. With zero catcher depth in the organization and a below average starter in Iannetta and a purely one dimensional defensive backup in Wolters, the Rockies need to hang onto him, and he’s shown enough to warrant it. Wolters would be valuable if he allowed Bud to not carry an IF utility man, but with Hampson looking like he’s… Read more »
There wasn’t much to report on the game today. Both teams pitched well. Chad Bettis pitched 2.2 innings, but I think the plan was three innings. He had a lot of full counts and foul balls that ran up his pitch count. Tyler Anderson did better than Bettis due to lower pitch count. EdTheUmp and I were talking about possible roster. We were not sure if we are going to have three batter minimum for each pitcher in the regular… Read more »
Colton Welker, 2019 spring training, has been in 8 games. Obviously a small sample size but he is making everything of his chances. I know for sure that he has at least one game winning, walk off hit this spring.
BA – .636, SLG – 1.273, OPS – 1.909, HR – 2, RBI – 7, K – 0
https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=welker000col
Grant Lavigne
https://www.mlb.com/rockies/news/grant-lavigne-hitting-technique-at-rockies-camp
Thanks Bob – this kid is a beast!
Ryan McMahon BEFORE today’s mere 2-3 start (only two singles? he’s slumping!): .444 BA, 1.321 OPS He leads all spring training players (Cactus and Grapefruit) in BA, in OBP, in SLG, in OPS. Hampson isn’t giving up the fight, but this kid has got to stay in the lineup. Don’t sit him down like last year and cool him off! Meanwhile: Jake McGee – horrid yesterday. Mike Dunn: very sharp (yeah, I’m being a box score scout) again today. Ben… Read more »
Agree on all counts Brotha. Lots and lots of stuff happening. Praise Jesus Tinoco joins Yhency Almonte as a RPer. As you note, Mike Dunn has life. I believe I’m correct in saying Oberg and Johnson have yet to give up a ST run. Estevez and Lawrence have also been good. I think we’ve got the makings of a good Pen…..we’ve just got to get paste McGee and Shaw. 3 batters minimum for RPers beginning in 2020 (with a few… Read more »
Right about the 3 batter minimum thing. The pure LOOGY will be a thing of the past, and lefties who are really bad against righties will see their days numbered too.
I predict that the 3 batter minimum will cause some big blow up innings when a pitcher is put in on a day he doesn’t have his good stuff. Davis, Dunn, Johnson and Oberg all have a 0.00 ERA and no runs allowed this spring. Shaw has been improving. Oh is up and down with his last outing being a good one. It is time to let McGee go as he has been horrible giving up 9 ER in 6… Read more »
Wade Davis is no longer unscored on as he gave up a 2 out 2 run homer today.
Rockies have been having Arenado bat second in spring training. I hope they get it out of their system before the season starts.
https://www.mlb.com/rockies/news/nolan-arenado-hitting-second-in-lineup
SWEET – RMH & Ed Spring Training Reports……….I’m eagerly waiting Gents! Here’s what I’m seeing, with the mandatory small sample size (SSS) disclaimer: 1. All parties (Hampson, McMahon, and Valaika) involved in the 2nd base derby are performing well. Regardless of what the Rockies are saying, Brendan Rodgers is ticketed for ABQ for at least a half season……not a bad thing. 2. Tapia is showing reasonably well. 3. Tom Murphy is showing reasonably well. 4. I smell BP issues! 5.… Read more »
I have another assignment for you guys (you’re going to be sorry I’m not down there doing this all for myself) – as you’re kicking around the back fields, see if Riley Pint is alive???!!!
Rockies notes including view on catchers and the negotiations with Arenado.
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/03/rockies-notes-arenado-catchers-welker-tinoco.html
Rockies tie for 7th place with a speed score of 6.4.
https://www.mlb.com/rockies/news/fastest-teams-in-baseball-for-2019
Colorado Rockies: Off season Outlook
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/03/offseason-outlook-colorado-rockies-10.html
Six sent to minor league camp.
Brendan Rodgers
Ben Bowden
Matt Pierpont
Dom Nunez
Bret Boswell
Brian Mundell
https://www.mlb.com/rockies/news/prospect-brendan-rodgers-sent-to-minor-leagues
Cargo to sign minor league deal with Indians.
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/03/indians-nearing-deal-with-carlos-gonzalez.html
Rockies release Michael Saunders.
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/03/rockies-release-michael-saunders.html
Rockies acquire LHP Phillip Diehl from the Yankees dor Mike Tauchman.
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/03/yankees-acquire-mike-tauchman-from-rockies.html
dor = for
Got it. Thanks!
Rockies put Tom Murphy on waivers.
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/03/rockies-place-tom-murphy-on-waivers.html
Giants claim Tom Murphy.
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/03/giants-claim-tom-murphy-waivers-rockies.html
Earlier the Phillies released Drew Butera causing me to wonder if the Rockies would sign him. The Rockies have signed Drew Butera to a minor league deal.
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/03/rockies-sign-drew-butera.html
Much gnashing of teeth in the world of Rockies fandom regarding the release of Tom Murphy. I have to say, after taking a deep breathe, taking off the purple tinted glasses, and observing the situation from a high level, the conclusion I draw is the Murphy must be really bad. We know Iannetta and Wolters are fair “defensive” catchers. Perhaps using the word “receiver” instead of defensive is a better choice of words. Ironically, Fangraphs added framing to their WAR… Read more »
The problem with the Rockies drafting and developing a catcher is that so far they have not shown the ability to do so. They need to get over their love of the people that are developing their catchers. Iannetta is the only catcher that they drafted and developed that has been an okay catcher for an extended period of time. They need to revamp their catching department just like they had to revamp their pitching department. So far they have… Read more »
Reynolds added to 40 man roster. Rockies still have one open spot on the 40 man roster.
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/03/rockies-select-mark-reynolds.html
Tom Murphy still in flux. From MLBTradeRumors:
“Giants skipper Bruce Bochy has announced several notable roster decisions to reporters, including Kerry Crowley of the Bay Area News Group (links to Twitter). Of particular note, out-of-options players Alen Hanson and Tom Murphy will not be carried on the active roster, meaning they’ll either need to be traded or exposed to waivers.”
Catcher Brett Nicholas has been released from his minor league contract.
http://rockiesroster.com/