Don’t look now guys (and girls!) – but it’s Friday, February 13th (that’s right) and pitchers and catchers are reporting to Camps next week. The Hot Stove season – remarkable for most of baseball, but totally unremarkable for the Rox – is on the verge of coming to a close. Like it or not, we’ve got what we’ve got and it’s time to move ahead.
With that in mind, lets use this thread for all things Spring Training.
http://www.springtrainingconnection.com/reportingdates.html
December 23, 2020 at 2:40 pm on Rockies in 1st place in Rona EraJoin us on Facebook by looking for the group RoxWalkOff (RWO). Welcome back! December 21, 2020 at 2:03 pm on Rockies in 1st place in Rona EraHello, I'm still here! RWO is back up for now. 
September 28, 2020 at 10:15 am on Rockies in 1st place in Rona EraArenado on IL, done for the rest of the season. Agbayani can jump for joy, Wade Davis has been released. 9/22/2020 Oberg had Thoracic September 23, 2020 at 7:24 pm on Rockies in 1st place in Rona EraRockies put Dahl on 45 day IL with right shoulder sprain. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/09/rockies-select-tommy-doyle-place-david-dahl-on-45-day-il.html September 23, 2020 at 7:23 pm on Rockies in 1st place in Rona EraOberg had Thoracic Outlet Surgery again to relieve blood clots. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/09/scott-oberg-undergoes-thoracic-outlet-surgery.html September 21, 2020 at 10:41 pm on Rockies in 1st place in Rona EraArenado on IL, done for the rest of the season. Agbayani can jump for joy, Wade Davis has been released. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/09/rockies-place-nolan-arenado-on-il-release-wade-davis.html 
September 18, 2020 at 10:15 am on Rockies in 1st place in Rona EraI miss you guys (and gals). I know there's not much heart or even interest as we watch the usual things unfold. For now,
September 8, 2020 at 11:54 am on Rockies in 1st place in Rona EraWaste a grand slam, waste 8 innings of shutout ball ... they always seem to find a way. And yet: with more than half
I guess the biggest story for our mighty Rox during ST will be the health status of Tulo and Cargo.
Lesser stories will be Wilin – does he make the roster? 5th Stater? Makeup of bullpen?
Tulo and Cargo will not be the story at all. Maybe in July. The eight position players and five bench players are pretty much set. The storyline for position players is: Will Baby Bull be traded or not before spring training ends. Then it’s Kyle Parker or Ben Paulsen. The major issue will be the bullpen obviously. If four or five bullpen spots are presumed locked up, it will be interesting to see who get the final spots. Axford? Betancourt?… Read more »
So you’re telling me every ESPN/MLB Network/ROOT/FSN lead-in from SRF is NOT going to start with an updated health status of Tulo and/or Cargo?
Nope, they are 100% ready to go and they have chips on their shoulders. Not even a question of injury at ST. It might be come July.
1. Bullpen will be better. That’s just the nature of relief pitchers. 2. Starting rotation looks way worse than it did this time last year. We were coming into 2014 with a resurgent Chacin and DLR, with Chatwood emerging as a strong # 2 or 3 type, and with a not-unreasonable hope that Brett Anderson could return to health and to his prior form. We come into 2015 with the same old DLR (which is fine, but he’s nobody else’s… Read more »
At least a healthy 2015 rotation is better than unhealthy 2014 rotation. That’s one planet that I hope will help get the universe in sync.
You’re DA man – I figured you’ve been conjuring up some sort of analysis. My thoughts: 1. Bullpen – I generally agree. Boone Logan “should” be healthy. Rex Brother’s “should” get his mechanics figured and/or be healthy (I think he was hiding an injury last year). So those two guys alone give us a significant boost. Unfortunately, we’re still super weak at Closer. 2. SP – I like Lyles better than you do. I also think there’s a reasonable chance… Read more »
OMG…I’m going to drink the Kool-Ade AGAIN!! Atlantis Sports Book in Reno, NV is the first handicapper to release the MLB predictions for wins in 2015. Our Rox are penciled in at 70.5 wins (third worst in MLB behind the Twins and Phillies). Once again I am going to believe in the boys. I am under the firm and historical delusion that our SP’ers and RP’ers cannot be as bad as last year…SO, I will be in Vegas in mid-March… Read more »
Ed – I’m about 90% sure I won’t make ST this year (it will be the first one I’ve missed in about 6 years I believe). It’s too bad – because even with my deep skepticism, I would give you $50 to put on the over of 70.5. I’m solid with the 76-78 wins that many of the projection systems are spitting out.
sd… My last name…Spindler. Find me on Facebook and private message me…I’ll give you my mailing address so you can send a check. Anyone else can do the same…$50 minimum. Payback is even money…$50 gets you $100. RMH, we will discuss on the 9th…I also like the $5, not $2 for winning the world series…we can also bet on winning the division and nlcs as well… sd, you can do that as well…anyone else is welcome also… i’ll be in… Read more »
Only 70.5? I’m in for the bet. Wager $50, win, and what do I get in return?
What are the odds for Rox winning the WS? I can throw in $2 and hope to get a $10k return on the buck.
I’d take the over too, if only because predictions at the extreme (90+ wins, 72- losses) are generally pretty foolish — teams tend to clump in the middle, .500 +/- 8 wins will usually cover unless you have a great team or a historically bad team on paper.
Couple of random, completely unrelated thoughts as we eagerly await ST to begin. 1. Jason Giambi – Officially retired today. People (important people like Managers) rave about him. He’ll be a hitting coach, or even a Manager soon. 2. Yoan Moncada – if we believe what we hear, the Rox made a serious offer to the Jose Abreu camp when he became available not much more than a year ago. Of course we all know he panned out pretty well.… Read more »
FanGraphs Top 200 Prospects
28. Jonathan Gray
31. David Dahl
42. Eddie Butler
63. Ryan McMahon
91. Raimel Tapia
110. Kyle Freeland
129. Forrest Wall
HM Tyler Anderson
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/the-fangraphs-top-200-prospect-list/
It’s a bummer that we finish with terrible records for years, and we don’t have one of the top 27 prospects. Hopefully the new GM will do a better job of selection and player development.
Hammer meet Nail.
We get some props for having an “under the radar,” “best of the rest” Farm System at the moment – but no elite prospects. We could change that by trading Tulo for Syndergaard and signing Yoan Macada.
Dream all you want about Moncada but it isn’t going to happen. With the associated 100% tax (for going over the bonus pool allotment) and further penalty of not being able to sign any of the other bonus pool players for more than a $300,000.00 bonus for the next 2 years, the Rockies aren’t even looking at Moncada. If Moncada gets the predicted $40MM bonus, it is actually going to cost the signing team another $40MM in penalty tax paid… Read more »
Printed out the 2015 schedule and put it on my wall at work. Things that jump out at me: 9 of first 12 games on the road! Yikes. This includes 3 each at SF and LAD. Heck – the 3 at home are against the resurgent, rebuilt Cubs. Even when we come back home for 7 straight – they’re against the Padres and Giants. April has a chance to be brutal. Interleague this year against the AL West. Heavy home… Read more »
I am curious to see how we do against the AL West.
IMO, although I hate the DH, I think the Rockies should have jumped at the chance to switch leagues a few years ago. 1)I guess HOU was paid some big money to do it. 2)get away from the pitcher parks like SF and SD. 3)change of pace, attitude 4)fit better in an offense oriented league.
Agree.
Saunders does Q&A with Walt Weiss.
http://www.denverpost.com/rockies/ci_27545424/q-and-rockies-manager-walt-weiss-2015-spring-training?source=rss
Dan O’Dowd joins MLB Network as analyst.
http://www.denverpost.com/rockies/ci_27544490/dan-odowd-former-rockies-gm-joins-mlb-network?source=infinite
And the first thing he does is screw up his analysis of pitching in the league.
Rockies win arbitration case against Rosario. He get their $2.8MM offer instead of the $3.3MM he asked for.
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/02/rockies-defeat-wilin-rosario-in-arbitration.html
If the case went to arbitration, I knew the Rockies would win easily. He had nothing to show from 2014 and he doesn’t look like a full time player in 2015 at least with the Rockies. His horrible defensive metrics at any position doesn’t help either.
sdcarp, now that ST is starting I robbed your “Sound Off” article, added a feature picture, and moved it to the front as featured news. Gimme a holler if you have a problem with it. 🙂 You still have your name credited to this story.
Oh shit – I don’t care about stuff like that! Do whatever works best for the webpage. Let’s keep the conversation going.
Interest read on Tyler Matzek;
http://www.fangraphs.com/fantasy/tyler-matzek-deep-league-sleeper/
Written from a Fantasy perspective, but still relative and mostly spot on in my opinion. He’s a big piece of the PAT puzzle.
Royals sign “Kerosene” Morales to minor league deal.
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/02/royals-sign-franklin-morales.html
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!
Rockies BP getting a little mild love:
http://www.fangraphs.com/fantasy/the-rockies-bullpen-decent-options-for-holds-leaguers/
Once again, written from the Fantasy perspective, but generally relevant nonetheless.
Baseball America Top 100
22. David Dahl
24. Jonathan Gray
60. Kyle Freeland
77. Eddie Butler
95. Ryan McMahon
http://www.baseballamerica.com/2015-top-100-prospects/
I hope it’s the beginning of Rex’ comeback – he’s grown a goatee. 🙂 Gone is his baby face.
His facial hair resembles that of an asian dude.
I read somewhere (sorry, I can’t reproduce a link) that Rex has lost 12-15 pounds since last season. Don’t know if this is good or bad – but at least he recognizes something needs to change (maybe his fitness level is one of those things). “IF” he’s not injured – I think he’s a prime bounce back candidate. He’s also just might be the perfect candidate for Dr. Mechanics aka – Rox new BP Coach Darren Holmes.
I was interested to see that Rangers prodigy (although that word is quickly being disassociated with him) Jurickson Profar will have shoulder surgery and miss all of 2015. This comes on the heels of missing all of 2014. I once proposed a Carlos Gonzalez for Jurickson Profar trade (the Rangers also have very talented 2nd baseman Rougned Odor – making one of them (in theory) tradable). There’s an old baseball saying that goes something like “some of the best trades… Read more »
C’mon sdcarp,no one is really named Rougned Odor! You are just teasing to see if anyone is paying attention.
ROFL
The Rangers also signed his younger brother Rougned.
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mlb-big-league-stew/rougned-odor-s-younger-brother-rougned-odor-signs-with-rangers-182528281.html
True story Gents – youngest player in the major leagues last year (20). Made it to the Show after a whopping +/- 140 games in the minors.
SDCARP Have you noticed the return to the old fashioned days of the 50s and 60s with kid 22 and under coming up and making a splash in the show? Question – why don’t the Rox have this (Arenado the closest). My theory – the team is always worried about long-term payroll costs (rightly so). So if you are going to lose your arbitration years, you want to lose them with play that is worth-while, not middling. If Arenado hadn’t… Read more »
Dr. C – I have noticed the impact of younger players (especially younger pitchers) – and that’s part of my post-PED theory. My theory goes like this – with the game much cleaner than it was, the guys in their 30’s really start to decline. Gone are the days when a 32 year old Ken Caminiti (RIP) pulls a hammy running to 1st and plays the next day like nothing happened. So the lifespan of a player is shorter –… Read more »
I think Dr. C. is right — and carp, too. The aging curves were altered by the PED era. Classically, hitters peak at around age 27-28, and it’s really unusual for a pitcher who hasn’t established himself by 25 to become a long term asset. I also agree with Dr. C. that the Rockies are behind the curve on this front. Arenado was the first example of a guy they didn’t try to rig the arbitration clock on — we’re… Read more »
Ag – I have no idea. You bring up a good point though – at such a young age, bones and muscles are still growing and maturing. So maybe elbow ligaments will respond better to surgery since they’re still maturing???? Who knows. Interesting sidebar – I read some comments regarding Todd Gurley’s ACL surgery and how it impacts his NFL draft status from Dr. Andrews (He did Gurley’s ACL – so I guess he doesn’t just do elbows). He pointed… Read more »
I was watching MLB Today on MLB last night. Briefly talked about the Rockies. One analyst said Gray, Freeland, Dahl, and Butler are the prospects to watch. He went on top say that he thought the Rox have an excellent scouting staff and he likes where the organization is going. He even applauded Bridich for not blowing up the team during the winter. Especially with Butler and Gray close to the majors.
It’s amazing to me to see the injury list two days after pitchers and catchers have reported: Sergio Romo – sore shoulder Joel Peralta – sore shoulder Kenley Jansen (sp?) – foot surgery Zack Grienke – lubricating injection in elbow (WHAT????????) Josh Hamilton – recovery from surgery slower than anticipated Cory Luebke – setback after 2nd TJ (to be fair, reports on Padres teammate Josh Johnson, also coming back from 2nd TJ – are good) Lots of NL West guys… Read more »
Any bets on who will be the first Rockie on that list?
The first Rockies that will be placed on the DL this year will be Tyler Anderson (elbow) and Tyler Chatwood (recovering from TJ surgery). My guess is Chatwood will be first and will go on the 60 day DL as soon as the Rockies need a 40 man roster spot open.
Shut up Gary! 🙂
Oh my – I saw photos of Tulo in the batting cage today!
Did he get hurt?
Guys! I feel like the Rockies are going to have a big year! It feels like there are several guys on this team with something to prove, and bounce back from last year. I love the bullpen with Betancourt, Axford, Hawkins, Brothers (bounce back), Boone (Bounce Back) Diaz, and Ottavino among others. The lineup is going to be one of the best in the league with Tulo and Cargo have huge years. My only fear is the rotation, if we… Read more »
Thank you, I’ve found another member of Boom and Bloom club. I thought I was the only member of this club. I didn’t want to join the Doom and Gloom club where most of the RWOers seem to reside.
Reminds me of a Darth Vader quote RMH – “You underestimate the power of the dark side!”
RMH, I have to stand by my “I will not be optimistic in the spring” mantra I’ve been using since the end of last season. We can all envision Aranado’s continued ascent, CD knocking the cover off the ball again, everyone staying healthy, etc. In that regard, I truly am “hopeful” this spring, but not “optimistic”. Like all of you, I watch almost every game during the season and consider myself a die-hard Rockies fan. That said, every year something… Read more »
I think you have to have hope in the Spring. And really, imagine if, say, Houston had traded for Cargo, Tulo, and Arenado. Everyone would be talking about the splash they made in the market and how good their chances should be to compete for the playoffs. Sometimes the best trades are the ones you don’t make. I still like this team, and maybe, who knows, we don’t get hurt in absurd and unimaginable ways (finger tumors, really?) and we… Read more »
On a serious note (unlike my recent trend of snarky comments) – going back to RMH and the purpled colored glasses – even though I’ve been driving the pessimist’s band wagon, make no mistake I’m hoping that Tulo is healthy and has a fantastic season. I’m hoping Cargo comes back full force and then some. I’m hoping Arenado and Dickerson continue their upward trend. I’m hoping the bullpen comes together and stays injury free. If everything is perfect – we… Read more »
Very well said, Bob. I’m not on board with Doom OR Boom, myself. The Club of Tempered Hopes and Expectations, perhaps? The Cautiously Hopeful (but NOT Optimistic) Club? The Self-Defense Because We Now Have a Large Enough Sample Club?
Count me in the Hallelujah, Baseball is Only a Month Away Club, though! Shock the world, Rox! 🙂
I like the first one, roxnsox. We’ll call it Club THE.
Thistle, no guarantee on 162 games, could take 163. See 2007! 🙂
Make no mistake about it, gang, I am ready for baseball. I just didn’t drink the purple Kool-Aid, although I did have a Black and Blue Berry SoBe lifewater today.
Actually if the weather around the Nation continues the current trend it may be 150 game season!
I’m fascinated to see how this year plays out and anxious for the season to start. Although we could be as terrible as predicted, there is a scenario (PAT) that would cause us to be pretty good and fun to watch. If we can be lucky enough to start the season with a starting rotation of DLR, Chacin, Lyles, Matzek, and Kendricks, and a bullpen that would include Hawkins, Ottavino, Logan, Brothers, Axford, Kahnle, Friedrich, and Brooks Brown (that’s one… Read more »
I forgot Flande as a guy who could also start in AAA as a starter.
As currently scheduled the starting pitchers at AAA Albuquerque are:
Yohan Flande
Jair Jurrjens
Aaron Laffey
http://rockiesroster.com/minors/isotopes/
Obviously there will be more but at this time these are the only 3 starting pitchers assigned to the Isotopes.
Ladies and Gents – hold your breathe – really nice initial reports on Cargo and Tulo (and Gray).
Meanwhile, Chris Sale breaks his foot at home.
The Brett Anderson freak injury bug has spread far and wide. Ronnie Belisario fractured his shoulder climbing out of a pool. And now Chris Sale with an accident at home.
Tyler Chatwood placed on 60 day DL. Axford added to 40 man roster.
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/03/minor-moves-mark-rogers.html
And so it begins.
Update on projections: one of my favorites, Clay Davenport, updated his 2015 projected standings, and it’s not good news: 73-89, “good” for the 4th worst record in all of baseball — only Philly, the Braves, and Dbacks (by one game) below us. The Twins project as also coming in at 73 wins. Yes, the Rockies improved their roster a tiny bit with recent moves (Kendrick), but other teams improved more. The Nationals have opened up a huge lead on everyone… Read more »
Looking forward to your PAT.
The only way the Rox get to 85 wins is if we can get 400 games combined from FC, Cargo, & Arenado. I thought the injury to Arenado last year hit them harder than the injuries to Tulo and Cargo because; 1) It was unexpected and 2) It led to Cuddy’s shoulder injury that cost him a lot of time also.
Jimbo (like the name by the way), I think you’re right: no way we have a dream of competing unless those big 3 all stay relatively healthy. So the starting point of any Planet Alignment Theory has to be that each of those guys avoids major injury. I’m trying to make rules for my own PAT — no grossly unrealistic assumptions, etc — so I won’t ever bet on Tulo playing more than, say, 130 games. And I’m going to… Read more »
Would like the dream to last past May 15 for a change.
Ag – your preliminary 83 win PAT outcome is essentially my worst fear (sorry, I realize that may sound weird). That’s just good enough for Monfart to think we’re legitimate contenders and NOT allow Bridich to pursue the moves that need to be made for the team’s future. An 83 win season takes us into the 2015/2016 offseason with the same cast of characters with our two cornerstones one year older. The planet’s won’t align for two consecutive years –… Read more »
Yu Darvish torn UCL – headed for TJ surgery. Done for the year. Huge blow for the Rangers.
Looks like the Rox may have pulled some roster shannigans by signing Ax to a minor league contract and then moving him to the major league roster so early in ST. Here’s Ken Rosenthal’s take via MLBTradeRumors: “Other teams asked Major League Baseball about the Rockies‘ decision to add John Axford to their roster so early in the spring, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports. Axford signed a minor-league deal with the Rockies in early February, but the team added… Read more »
Seems like many of the best articles I run across are written from the fantasy baseball perspective – and I’ll be the first to point out real baseball isn’t fantasy baseball. That being said, I find myself to be in almost perfect alignment with the opinions in this article: http://www.fangraphs.com/fantasy/the-rockies-infield-the-dj-lemahieu-show/ When I read this – I had multiple flashbacks to various posts from Ag in the last year on this very website. Ag – this dude totally agrees with you… Read more »