The Official Colorado Rockies thread--Now with extra awesome!!

[Medford Bronco]

Why can't people be like this for the Broncos when they lose....???

Not talking about you Snapping turtle but it would be nice if the "fans" could react this way in the face of loss as well as winning where the Broncos are concerned. Could you imagine if the Broncos roared through the playoffs and lost in the SB..?

Congrats to all the fans who got to see the Rockies make the WS...maybe next year...

I think Reid its apples and oranges, as to why its different.
Not saying its correct.

The Rockies were not expected to go this far and greatly exceeded expectations no matter what. The Broncos, rightly or wrongly are expected to win the Super Bowl when they get there.

It would be like the Arizona Cardials catching fire, going 10-6 and then losing to the Pats or Colts. Their fans would be disappointed but not devastated like the Bronco fans are that the expectations since 97-98 have always been high.

I say as a Dodger and Red Sox fan. Congrats to them winning 21 of 22 and doing what I never dreamed. they have an excellent team and this experience will only help them get better :salute:

[Denver Native (Carol)]

Why can't people be like this for the Broncos when they lose....???

Not talking about you Snapping turtle but it would be nice if the "fans" could react this way in the face of loss as well as winning where the Broncos are concerned. Could you imagine if the Broncos roared through the playoffs and lost in the SB..?

Congrats to all the fans who got to see the Rockies make the WS...maybe next year...

The fans were like this for the Broncos when they lost the SuperBowl in 1977. Everyone was just thrilled they made the SuperBowl.

[Escobar]

good season rocks.

[Kapaibro]

Well, I went for a walk downtown, saw Coors Field and all that.

http://photos-d.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v136/228/66/542495989/n542495989_369031_8620.jpg

And, out front I met Manny Corpas!

http://photos-a.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v136/228/66/542495989/n542495989_369032_8860.jpg

Later, I was walking down the 16th St Mall, and saw this guy. I'm thinking 'He looks familiar!', so I turn around and ask him "Are you Jason Hirsh?". And it was!!!!!!!!!

I asked him if I could have a picture, and while I was giving his Dad my phone/camera, his brother asked if many people recognised him on the street, and he said "No, this is the first time!". He was really nice, and his family all talked to me too!

http://photos-b.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v136/228/66/542495989/n542495989_369033_9098.jpg

[Denver Native (Carol)]

WOW KAP - I am happy for you. I KNOW this makes your stop in Denver all the better. GREAT PICS - something to always keep and remember.

[Kapaibro]

WOW KAP - I am happy for you. I KNOW this makes your stop in Denver all the better. GREAT PICS - something to always keep and remember.

Even the Red Sox fans at Coor's were all "It's Manny Corpas!!!!!!!!"

I took the pics on my phone, which I don't think you can get in the USA, and Hirsh's girlfriend was really impressed with it!

[Denver Native (Carol)]

Oh yeah, my niece has a phone that you can take pics on. And then she transfers them to her computer.

So, what is your impression of Denver?

[Kapaibro]

Oh yeah, my niece has a phone that you can take pics on. And then she transfers them to her computer.

So, what is your impression of Denver?

I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!

I would love to come live here for a year or two!

I'd be at every fricking game!

The phone is a Nokia 7373, which is a model they don't sell here, I don't think.

[Denver Native (Carol)]

I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!

I would love to come live here for a year or two!

I'd be at every fricking game!

The phone is a Nokia 7373, which is a model they don't sell here, I don't think.

Then just think - you would be a BRONCOS - ROCKIES - AVS - NUGGETS Fan!!!!

[Denver Native (Carol)]

http://cbs4denver.com/topstories/local_story_302200535.html

Young Rockies Believe This Was Just The Start

Slideshows: Cheering Fan Photos | Rockies Roster

The message that LaTroy Hawkins scribbled on the grease board in the Colorado clubhouse after the Rockies roared into the playoffs was wiped clean Monday as the Rockies packed their belongings and scattered for a shorter offseason than they ever could have imagined.

It might be gone, but it remains their mantra.

Even though they were bounced by Boston in their first trip to the World Series, the Rockies insist their NL pennant, secured with a hard-to-fathom 21-1 run that captivated a city, was just a taste of things to come.

They're a young, talented club and now one that has postseason experience.

"This isn't a one-year flash," Troy Tulowitzki insisted Monday. "Our playoff run was a display of how our team can play. The World Series strengthened our resolve to get back here."

In addition to their core of big boppers including Matt Holliday, Todd Helton, Garrett Atkins and Brad Hawpe, the Rockies have power prospects Ian Stewart and Joe Koshansky ready to follow in the footsteps of the baby-faced Tulowitzki, who took the NL by storm with his glove, bat and a leadership that belied his 23 years.

The Rockies, whose owner, Charlie Monfort, is already predicting a return trip to the World Series in 2008, can't wait to see Ubaldo Jimenez and Franklin Morales pitch a full season or for Seth Smith and Jeff Baker to continue their climbs.

"We won't hang our heads," Jimenez said. "We hurt. We hurt because we got so far so fast. I didn't think about the World Series when we were in Tucson. I was just hoping to make it up for the last month. I got to pitch in the World Series. I couldn't have dreamed that would happen."

The Rockies could lose Kaz Matsui to free agency but Stewart will get a crash course at second base in the fall league just in case, and closer Manny Corpas' emergence will make the expected loss of three-time All-Star Brian Fuentes easier to swallow.

"As long as these guys are here, it's going to be a really good team for a really long time," backup catcher Chris Iannetta said. "These are some of the best players in all of baseball."

The Rockies sat and watched in silence as the Red Sox celebrated their championship at Coors Field, letting the disappointment sink in to strengthen their resolve.

"There's moments we're going to look back on and be very proud of what we accomplished this year," said Helton, who waited 1,578 games through a decade of disappointment in Denver to finally taste this success.

"No reason to hang our head. We accomplished a lot this season. They outplayed us. We have no reason to be upset. We made it to the World Series. We did a lot this year. We came a long way."

The Rockies realize they were just in over their heads, and that's why they're not hanging them.

"The better team won," Tulowitzki said. "But I felt we came a long way to get here. We have a young ballclub full of talent and hopefully we will be back."

"It was tough for me to sleep last night," he added. "I couldn't get over that the season was over."

The Rockies stumbled to a 17-25 start this year and spent most of the season looking up at the Diamondbacks, Padres and Dodgers in the NL West before going on a late surge that earned them a surprising playoff berth.

They won 14 of their final 15 regular-season games, all against division opponents -- including a 9-8 victory over San Diego in a wild-card tiebreaker at Coors Field.

They continued that run in the postseason, sweeping Philadelphia and Arizona before falling short against Boston.

"We came a long ways and we have nothing to be ashamed about," Hawkins said. "We'll walk around and hold our heads up high. We played in the World Series much sooner than people thought we would."

[Snapping Turtle]

Why can't people be like this for the Broncos when they lose....???

Not talking about you Snapping turtle but it would be nice if the "fans" could react this way in the face of loss as well as winning where the Broncos are concerned. Could you imagine if the Broncos roared through the playoffs and lost in the SB..?

Congrats to all the fans who got to see the Rockies make the WS...maybe next year...

Reid--I personally am like this when the Broncos lose, I just love being able to have some teams to root for. I gotta love them all no matter what they do. :D

[Kapaibro]

Tonight, after the game, at my hotel, I met former Rockie, Choo Freeman.

He had been out with Garrett the night before.

Yes, I told him to tell G that he was welcome to rest up in Spain with me!

[Snapping Turtle]

Rockies' winter forecast

How the Rockies are approaching the offseason in regard to:

• Rotation. Use ink for the names of Aaron Cook, Jeff Francis and Ubaldo Jimenez. Give an edge to Jason Hirsh and Franklin Morales for the two other spots. RHP Josh Fogg is gone if he gets an expected three-year, $21 million offer. The Rockies have interest in re-signing Jason Jennings if a medical check eases concerns about a recent operation. They also would like to bring back Elmer Dessens and Mark Redman on minor league deals.

• Bullpen. Corpas and Fuentes give the Rockies quality in late innings. Ryan Speier has shown the ability to handle middle work, and Taylor Buchholz is a quality arm in a long role. The Rockies hope to re-sign Matt Herges and have interest in LaTroy Hawkins, but at a major reduction from the $3.5 million of last season. Darren Clarke, Juan Morillo, Pedro Stroop and Casey Weathers could rise from the minors at some point in 2008. And Shawn Chacon has expressed interest in returning.

• Catcher. Chris Iannetta is the long-range hope, but the Rockies want a veteran presence, which is why they would like to re-sign Yorvit Torrealba or pursue Jason Kendall and Paul Lo Duca on the free-agent market.

• Infield. 1B Todd Helton, 3B Garrett Atkins and SS Troy Tulowitzki are set. 2B Kazuo Matsui will be offered a contract, but the Rockies also have internal options with Jamey Carroll, Clint Barmes, Omar Quintanilla and Jayson Nix. They figure into a utility role, too.

• Outfield. LF Matt Holliday, CF Willy Taveras and RF Brad Hawpe are back along with fourth outfielder Ryan Spilborghs. Cory Sullivan provides a left-handed backup to Taveras but could become an expensive extra man because of arbitration. Seth Smith showed promise in September and in the postseason but won't be kept in the big leagues if he doesn't get at-bats.



Did I catch a BARMES in there? Holy Moly, wouldn't it be awesome if he could be in our system for a whole other season! I thought he was gone last season, I am feeling a bit spoiled thinking about it. :D

[Kapaibro]

In 147 games, Lee made seven errors and he had a .994 fielding percentage. He was the choice of the coaches and managers over Todd Helton of the Colorado Rockies, who made just two errors and boasted a .999 fielding percentage.

NATIONAL LEAGUE
C Russell Martin, LAD
1B Derrek Lee, CHC
2B Orlando Hudson, ARI
3B David Wright, NYM
SS Jimmy Rollins, PHI
OF Carlos Beltran, NYM
OF Andruw Jones, ATL
OF Jeff Francoeur, ATL
OF Aaron Rowand, PHI
P Greg Maddux, SD


WT...........?????????

How does Helton and Tulo NOT win Golden Gloves?

[Snapping Turtle]

A guy on ESPN today was even saying Garrett deserved it over Wright. Whatever is a popularity contest.


In other news. I feel desperately alone without baseball. I do not know what to do with myself. :(

[Denver Native (Carol)]

A guy on ESPN today was even saying Garrett deserved it over Wright. Whatever is a popularity contest.


In other news. I feel desperately alone without baseball. I do not know what to do with myself. :(

It DEFINITELY has to be a popularity contest - the Rockies were the BEST defensive team this year - and not ONE gold glove :mad: Figure that :rolleyes: WHY even give out awards if they are not given to the most deserving????????

[Kapaibro]

A guy on ESPN today was even saying Garrett deserved it over Wright. Whatever is a popularity contest.


In other news. I feel desperately alone without baseball. I do not know what to do with myself. :(

Who said ESPN talking heads were all stupid? Obviously ONE of them has his head on straight.

How in the hell does 0.994 beat 0.999?

Obviously being good enough to have the best defensive record EVAH and making the World Series means sweet FA to the voters.:tsk:

[Denver Native (Carol)]

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/mlb/article/0,2777,DRMN_23924_5745673,00.html


KRIEGER: Voters ignored Tulo’s all-around game

November 12, 2007
On the web site of the Baseball Writers Association of America, they posted a five-paragraph summary of the National League Rookie of the Year balloting Monday.

It contained a lot of numbers. Describing Ryan Braun's narrow victory over Troy Tulowitzki, it mentioned their first-place votes (17-15) and their total points (128-126).

It mentioned Braun's batting average (.324), home runs (34), slugging percentage (.634), extra-base hits (66), RBI (97), runs scored (91), total bases (286), triples (6) and hits (146).

It mentioned Tulowitzki's batting average (.291), RBI (99), runs scored (104), hits (179), total bases (292), doubles (33), walks (57), home runs (24) and triples (5).

As you can see, the baseball writers really like their numbers.

In all, they listed nine performance statistics apiece for the two leading candidates. Eighteen numbers. And every one of them reflected performance at the plate.

Nowhere in those five paragraphs will you find any mention of defense. This from a group devoted to explaining the game of baseball.

And that is why Braun, a wonderful hitter and lousy fielder, beat Tulowitzki, a slightly less wonderful hitter and spectacular fielder at a more difficult position.

Call me a homer. I don't mind. I've been called worse. But the BBWAA might as well give this vote to the fantasy players. This is how they would have voted.

If you asked the NL's 16 general managers - and I haven't, so I'm speculating here - which of these two players they would choose to start a team based on their 2007 performances, I would be shocked if more than one or two took Braun over Tulowitzki.

Nothing against Braun, who seemed like a very nice fellow on the BBWAA's conference call Monday. But it does not take a baseball genius to see that Tulowitzki is the complete player here.

One of these guys led his team to the playoffs. The other did not. Just wondering: Does winning still matter in baseball?

Braun was a classic one-dimensional player - a remarkable hitter who, if he played in the American League, might be a designated hitter.

Perhaps, as he suggested on the call, he will improve as a fielder. But the relevant numbers here, the ones the BBWAA never mentioned, are extraordinary.

Braun handled 246 chances at third base. He made 26 errors. That's a fielding percentage of .895. That's not just bad. That's really bad. Major league ballplayers are supposed to field at least 95 percent of the defensive chances that come their way. Generally speaking, it is a minimal standard of competence.

Tulowitzki handled 834 chances at shortstop, more than three times as many as Braun at a more demanding position. He made 11 errors. That's a fielding percentage of .987. That's not just good. That's really good. It was one point better than Omar Vizquel, the best defensive shortstop of his generation and one of the best of all time.

Granted, Vizquel was 40 this year, but if you saw him, he was still a pleasure to watch. As was Tulo.

In the field, Braun was not. I hope that's not a news flash. He made the Rockies' Garrett Atkins, an adequate defensive third baseman at best, look like Mike Schmidt.

Here's why I think Braun won. The Brewers captured the attention of baseball for the first half of the season. They led the Central Division and were anointed by any number of publications as the NL's most exciting young team.

The Rocks came on late. History will remember them as the better team, but they got the attention of the national press for a shorter period, much of it (the postseason) after voting had closed.

As it turned out, the Rocks were the NL's most exciting young team, making it to the World Series. And their young shortstop was a key ingredient, at the plate, in the field and in the clubhouse.

When I asked Tulowitzki in September about the Rookie of the Year race, he mentioned his respect for a number of the candidates, Braun among them. In fact, he called Braun's offensive numbers "unbelievable." Then he added this:

"The only thing I would say is shortstop's a little different than the positions that they play. That's the only thing. But whatever happens, happens. My main focus is to try to get this team to the playoffs."

In that, he succeeded. That National League pennant will have to be his consolation. Given a choice between the two, I'm guessing Tulo would be OK with this division of hardware.

Still, it's a little disappointing to find the baseball writers, the seamheads, voting as if they were drafting for a fantasy league. This vote represents a fundamental misunderstanding of the game and the importance of various elements in it.

Baseball and fantasy baseball are two different games. If the baseball writers don't know this, they should give up deciding these awards. Make them a popularity contest. Put them on the internet. This one might have come out the same, but at least they could have sold advertising.

kriegerd@RockyMountainNews.com

JUST TOTALLY RIDICULOUS - TULO SHOULD HAVE BEEN THE NL ROY

[Kapaibro]

Call the cops, Tulo has been robbed twice!

Snapp will be seriously pissed off!

[Denver Native (Carol)]

Call the cops, Tulo has been robbed twice!

Snapp will be seriously pissed off!

AND, with the way things have gone, or not gone, I am sure Matt will also be robbed.

[Kapaibro]

AND, with the way things have gone, or not gone, I am sure Matt will also be robbed.

Probably. Apparently being the best just isn't enough.

[Denver Native (Carol)]

Probably. Apparently being the best just isn't enough.

From Kreiger's article above in regards to Tulo, AND so true:::::::

Still, it's a little disappointing to find the baseball writers, the seamheads, voting as if they were drafting for a fantasy league. This vote represents a fundamental misunderstanding of the game and the importance of various elements in it.

Baseball and fantasy baseball are two different games. If the baseball writers don't know this, they should give up deciding these awards. Make them a popularity contest. Put them on the internet. This one might have come out the same, but at least they could have sold advertising.

[Snapping Turtle]

Im pretty shocked Tulo didn't win...but right now I don't care too much...if this would have been released a week ago you know I'd be throwing one heck of a fit. Give me a couple months and I'll be fired up about it, but right now I must admit, not even Troy Tulowitzki is my top priority.

[sneakers]

Hooray for Ryan Braun!! It was pretty close vote though 128-126 or something like that.

[lex]

Not enough voters stay up late enough to watch Tulowitzki play.

[BroncoAV06]

Free-agent catcher Yorvit Torrealba will agree to a three-year contract with the New York Mets on Thursday, according to Torrealba's agent, Melvin Roman.


Yorvit Torrealba

Catcher
Colorado Rockies

Profile

2007 Season Stats GM HR RBI R OBP AVG
113 8 47 47 .323 .255

Roman told 1050 ESPN New York that he expects to formalize the agreement with the Mets this afternoon. Roman declined to reveal how much the contract would be worth. GM Omar Minaya did not immediately return a message seeking comment.


If Torrealba passes a physical, an announcement is expected in the next day or two.

Torrealba, 29, is expected to be the starter. Ramon Castro will remain the backup but will receive more playing time than he did when Paul Lo Duca was the Mets' starting catcher. Lo Duca is also a free agent.

Last season, Torrealba hit .255 with eight homers and 47 RBIs for the NL champion Colorado Rockies. As a hitter, he showed a large disparity on the road as compared to Coors Field. Torrealba hit .296 with six homers and 34 RBIs in Denver, while he batted just .212 with two homers and 13 RBIs on the road.

The Mets, though, are signing Torrealba mainly for his defense. Rockies pitchers gave Torrealba a lot of credit for how he called a game, though he did not have a high success rate when trying to throw runners out.

Torrealba only caught 13-of-74 base-stealers, while the man he replaces, Lo Duca, nailed 17-of-89.

Torrealba played in 113 games lasts season, by far his most as a major-leaguer. In his previous seven seasons, Torrealba had only topped 60 games three times, peaking a 66 in 2003 with the San Francisco Giants.

The Rockies and Florida Marlins were believed to be the other two teams interested in Torrealba.

The Mets' first choice to replace Lo Duca was Jorge Posada, but the New York Yankees never gave the Mets a chance to offer Posada any money. Just before open free agency began this week, the Yankees extended Posada a four-year, $52.4 million offer that he accepted.

Andrew Marchand is the managing editor of 1050 ESPN Radio in New York.

Looks like Iannetta gets anotehr shot at catcher. Barrett would not be bad in my mind. Have been going over a lot of baseball, Rockies related stuff at the other place, got to bring some of it over here.

[Denver Native (Carol)]

I just hope this is NOT the beginning of the parade out of Denver :mad:

[lex]

Looks like Iannetta gets anotehr shot at catcher. Barrett would not be bad in my mind. Have been going over a lot of baseball, Rockies related stuff at the other place, got to bring some of it over here.

I really hope for the sake of Rockies fans that Michael Barrett doesnt become a Rockie. Im a Cubs fan, btw. So Im very familiar with his strengths and weaknesses. He can swing the bat but everything else leaves A LOT to be desired. He is a complete liability behind the plate and on the bases. This dude really belongs in the American League.

[lex]

I just hope this is NOT the beginning of the parade out of Denver :mad:

Michael Silver of Yahoo was writing today about how the Rockies may need to trade Holliday the way the Rangers had to trade Texiera. Please tell me thats not true.

[Denver Native (Carol)]

Michael Silver of Yahoo was writing today about how the Rockies may need to trade Holliday the way the Rangers had to trade Texiera. Please tell me thats not true.

Rockies ownership made a ton of money this year, and said they would spend it to keep players - guess we will see - they already let one get away. They keep that up, and there are going to be a ton of people VERY unhappy with the ownership.

[lex]

Rockies ownership made a ton of money this year, and said they would spend it to keep players - guess we will see - they already let one get away. They keep that up, and there are going to be a ton of people VERY unhappy with the ownership.

Guys like Michael Silver and Ken Rosenthal are all the same. Theyre like moths to a flame when it comes to talented players in non-major markets. BTW, I know Denver is capabld of showing big fan support. I remember it when Denver first got the Rockies. I was at the game in June 93 when they set a first year franchise record for attendance. This was June when this happened. But yeah, guys like Silver and Rosenthal get all worked up about talented players going to NY or LA. Last summer, every fox game Ken Rosenthal went on and on about Carlos Zambrano becoming a Yankee. He remained a Cub. Doesnt mean theyre always wrong though. I really hope the Rockies keep their players though. I can see Denver getting behind the team if they do and completely abandoning the team if they dont.

[Kapaibro]

Michael Silver of Yahoo was writing today about how the Rockies may need to trade Holliday the way the Rangers had to trade Texiera. Please tell me thats not true.

O'Dowd has said they are keeping Holliday.

[BroncoAV06]

Rockies ownership made a ton of money this year, and said they would spend it to keep players - guess we will see - they already let one get away. They keep that up, and there are going to be a ton of people VERY unhappy with the ownership.

At the same time when you have a player that was thought to be in line to take the cathcers spot this year (Chirs) prospects Stewart etc, it makes a lose a little easier to take a player leaving. Now Yorvit really seemed to be about a bigger contract and city, can't say I blame the guy but at the same time you do not want to over pay for players such as Yorvit/Herges/Hawkins. That could hurt the team. With the wins comes contracts, with that money. The Rockies look to have the core intact, they need to address middle of the pen and set up. I really thing they should try and get something for Brian. He was a all-star closer, good pitcher but he hit that wall, same thing happend to Brad Lidge. Fuentes's pitches were not as deciving, was hit hard, and with Corpas pretty much closing the door on the closers role how long would Brian want to be a set up man?

Really there seem to be more questions this year then in years past. Expectations are through the roof, but at the same time the Rockies still have a lot to do. Morales will most likley start the year in Triple-A, Jeminez should get a shot at the rotation from the start, still want to know if the Rockies are going to put any pitch counts on the these two young arms this year. Still have to figure out the end of the startign rotation etc..

Lex, a good buddy of mine is a Cubs fan and he was talking about just that, Barrett is an offensive catcher but lacks else where. How is his arm?

[lex]

I really hope for the sake of Rockies fans that Michael Barrett doesnt become a Rockie. Im a Cubs fan, btw. So Im very familiar with his strengths and weaknesses. He can swing the bat but everything else leaves A LOT to be desired. He is a complete liability behind the plate and on the bases. This dude really belongs in the American League.


At the same time when you have a player that was thought to be in line to take the cathcers spot this year (Chirs) prospects Stewart etc, it makes a lose a little easier to take a player leaving. Now Yorvit really seemed to be about a bigger contract and city, can't say I blame the guy but at the same time you do not want to over pay for players such as Yorvit/Herges/Hawkins. That could hurt the team. With the wins comes contracts, with that money. The Rockies look to have the core intact, they need to address middle of the pen and set up. I really thing they should try and get something for Brian. He was a all-star closer, good pitcher but he hit that wall, same thing happend to Brad Lidge. Fuentes's pitches were not as deciving, was hit hard, and with Corpas pretty much closing the door on the closers role how long would Brian want to be a set up man?

Really there seem to be more questions this year then in years past. Expectations are through the roof, but at the same time the Rockies still have a lot to do. Morales will most likley start the year in Triple-A, Jeminez should get a shot at the rotation from the start, still want to know if the Rockies are going to put any pitch counts on the these two young arms this year. Still have to figure out the end of the startign rotation etc..

Lex, a good buddy of mine is a Cubs fan and he was talking about just that, Barrett is an offensive catcher but lacks else where. How is his arm?


When I said "complete liability", that is precisely what I meant. There truly is nothing this guy does well defensively. Even the basic stuff escapes him. Ive seen way too many pitches glance off his glove and go to the backstop....pitches that were in or around the strike zone. He's horrid at catching the ball. When it comes to making snap decisions in the field he is apt to try to throw a guy out when hes only a couple of feet away from a base and then throw it into left field. He practically never throws someone out who is trying to steal. And when he was with the Cubs, the pitchers ERA was around 2-3 without Barrett but with Barrett it was around 5. And he is old enough so there is really very little room for growth. Again, Michael Barrett is a complete liability in the field.

[Denver Native (Carol)]

Torrealba, Mets deal off; catcher could resign with Rox


NEW YORK (AP) - The New York Mets have broken off negotiations with free-agent catcher Yorvit Torrealba.

"We did not reach an agreement with Yorvit Torrealba. We are not in current ongoing negotiations with Yorvit Torrealba or his representatives," Mets spokesman Jay Horwitz said Saturday night.

The Mets and Torrealba were close to a $14.4 million, three-year deal, but weren't able to finalize the pact.

The 29-year-old Torrealba hit .255 with eight homers and 47 RBIs in 113 games for the Colorado Rockies this season. In the postseason, he hit .256 with a home run and eight RBIs.

As for his future with the Rockies, General Manager Dan O'Dowd told Torrealba's agent he'd get back to him.

"We are looking at all of our options," O'Dowd told our partners at the Denver Post on Saturday.

The Rockies initially offered Torrealba a 2-year, $7 million deal, but it was not immediately known if that offer was still on the table.

Torrealba's deal with the Mets was said to be contingent on his passing of a physical. It was not known whether that was a factor in the deal's collapse.

However, Torrealba's right shoulder has been suspect since he injured it in Spring Training in 2006 with the Rockies. Torrealba had lifted weights in the offseason in an attempt to bulk up following a trade from the Seattle Mariners. The extra bulk hindered his throwing shoulder, causing him to miss time at the beginning and end of 2006.

There was also much ado made of Torrealba's ineffectiveness when throwing out would-be base stealers in 2007.

Whatever the reason for the deal's demise, Torrealba is once again near the top of the Rockies' wish list at catcher. He's a clubhouse favorite and has earned heaping praise from those within the organization for his handling of the Rockies young pitching staff, which posted the lowest ERA in the National League during the second half of 2007.

[Kapaibro]

Shoulder injuries may have killed Torrealba-Mets deal
Sunday, Nov 18, 2007 9:42 am EST

Though neither side said so publicly, the Denver Post reported the New York Mets may have changed their mind on signing Colorado Rockies catcher Yorvit Torrealba because of his history of shoulder problems. Torrealba missed time in 2006 with two separate shoulder injuries.

According to The Post, there are no ongoing negotiations betweent he two parties.

The Florida Marlins, Milwaukee Brewers, Rockies and Mets pursued Torrealba last week. The field narrowed to the Rockies and Mets, with both sides engaging in serious discussions. When the Mets included a guaranteed third year, Torrealba was swayed. The Rockies' best proposal was a two-year, $7 million deal with a vesting option for a third year based on performance incentives.

Source: Denver Post

[Denver Native (Carol)]

I am definitely hoping that the Rockies resign him. His shoulder problem may stop him from throwing out a lot of base runners trying to steal, but he is so valuable behind the plate as knowing the Rockies' pitchers, and calling the game.

[Denver Native (Carol)]

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071120&content_id=2304717&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

11/20/2007 2:00 PM ET
Rollins nabs NL MVP Award
Shortstop backed up talk this season with big performance
By Ken Mandel / MLB.com

PHILADELPHIA -- Considering the amazing streaks for the teams whose uniforms they wore, the National League MVP race had to be this close.

There could be no other finish.

But Philadelphia shortstop Jimmy Rollins, all 5-foot-8 of him, stood taller than Colorado's Matt Holliday and Milwaukee's Prince Fielder, as the Baseball Writers' Association of America announced the results of its final individual award given out this season.

Of the 32 ballots submitted by two writers in each league city, Rollins was listed first on 16, second on seven, third on four, fourth on four and fifth on one for a total of 353 points. Holliday's breakdown was 11 first-place votes, 18 seconds, one third, one fourth and one sixth for 336 points.

The 17-point differential between Rollins and Holliday made the 2007 election the 20th closest overall and ninth in the NL since the current format was adopted by the BBWAA in 1938.

Rollins gives the Phillies their seventh MVP award, joining Chuck Klein (1932), Jim Konstanty (1950), Mike Schmidt (1980, 1981, 1986) and Ryan Howard (2006). With Howard, the Phillies become the first club with back-to-back MVPs since San Francisco's Jeff Kent and Barry Bonds in 2000 and 2001.

Tuesday's announcement should spark debate about which player meant more to his team.

Everything Philadelphia accomplished in 2007 focused on Rollins, starting with his January boast that the Phillies were the "team to beat" in the NL East. That disregarded the Mets, who captured the division the previous season and the Braves, who won it seemingly every year before that.

Despite taking flack after Philadelphia's 4-11 season-opening stumble, Rollins remained at the center of the Phillies' resurgence. He batted .346 (28-for-81) with six homers, 15 RBIs and 15 runs in 18 games against those Mets and started all 162 games at shortstop, playing all but 17 innings. Batting in the leadoff spot for most of the season, he kept the offense churning.

He committed just 11 errors, enough for his first Gold Glove, though his fielding percentage was second to Colorado's Troy Tulowitzki.

2007 NL MVP Award Voting
Player, Club 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th Points
Jimmy Rollins, PHI 16 7 4 4 1 353
Matt Holliday, COL 11 18 1 1 1 336
Prince Fielder, MIL 5 6 17 3 1 284
David Wright, NYM 1 4 12 7 1 1 2 182
Ryan Howard, PHI 2 6 3 3 3 2 3 112
Chipper Jones, ATL 1 3 3 7 5 1 1 107
Jake Peavy, SD 2 5 5 4 1 4 1 97

When closer Brett Myers hurled his glove in the air following a called strike three against Washington's Wily Mo Pena -- securing a 13-4 finish that earned the Phillies their first postseason appearance since 1993 -- Rollins' MVP credentials were cemented.

"If Jimmy doesn't win the MVP, there's something wrong with the system," left fielder Pat Burrell said on the final day of the season. "This guy, he took us on his shoulders from Day 1, and did things in this game that never happened."

The voters on the NL Most Valuable Player Award committee filed ballots after the regular season, and most took the option of waiting until Rockies' one-game playoff win over the Padres. Each writer could list a top 10 in order. Players were awarded 10 points for a first-place vote, nine points for a second-place vote, etc.

Rollins became the first player in history to collect at least 200 hits, 25 homers, 15 triples and 25 steals in a season. Overall, the switch-hitter batted .296, with 38 doubles, 20 triples, 30 homers, 94 RBIs, 41 stolen bases, 212 hits and 139 runs scored.

The 139 runs scored and 88 extra-base hits were league records for a shortstop. He also set a Major League record with 716 at-bats, and became the third shortstop in history to have at least 30 homers and 30 stolen bases in a season, after Barry Larkin in 1996 and Alex Rodriguez in 1998.

Holliday, meanwhile, captured the league's batting and RBI titles, and led the Rockies into the postseason for the first time since 1995. The left fielder was the focal point of the team's 15-1 run to get there, batting .442 with five homers and 17 RBIs.

Overall, he batted .340, with 50 doubles, 36 homers, 137 RBIs, 216 hits and 120 runs scored. He also led the league in hits, total bases, doubles and extra-base hits.

The statistics only told part of the story. The voters went with the player who backed up a bold prediction. On a team with Howard and Chase Utley, who himself had an MVP campaign despite missing five weeks with a broken hand, Rollins simply was the team's most valuable.

Now, he has the hardware.

"He's the MVP of the National League," manager Charlie Manuel said often in September. "He sets the tone on offense and defense. He plays every day. I've never seen so many hard-hit balls in my life, and he turns them into double plays. He's the guy that got us going ... all year."

http://www.9news.com/news/article.aspx?storyid=81332

Rollins batted .296 with 30 homers, 94 RBIs and 41 steals from the leadoff spot, helping Philadelphia rally from a big September deficit to win the NL East. He led the league in runs (139) and triples (20) - and became the second consecutive Phillies player to win the MVP following Ryan Howard last year.

Rollins proved a prophet after saying in spring training that the Phillies were the team to beat in a competitive division.

Holliday, who led his team to the National League pennant, was overlooked by voters despite leading the league with a .340 batting average and 137 RBIs. He was also near the top of the NL in doubles (50), home runs (36), total bases (386), runs (120) and hits (216).

ONCE AGAIN - WHAT'S WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE????????????????????????

[Kapaibro]

ONCE AGAIN - WHAT'S WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE????????????????????????

The obvious bias against the Rockies disgusts me.

:rolleyes: :mad: :tsk:

[Denver Native (Carol)]

The obvious bias against the Rockies disgusts me.

:rolleyes: :mad: :tsk:

Definitely east coast bias

[Medford Bronco]

Definitely east coast bias


Actually I agree on this one. Halliday got screwed.

Rollins has a great year, but without Halliday the Rox are a 500 team

[Denver Native (Carol)]

Actually I agree on this one. Halliday got screwed.

Rollins has a great year, but without Halliday the Rox are a 500 team

Most definitely Holliday should have been MVP. He lead the NL with highest batting average and RBIs.

Rollins batted .296 with 30 homers, 94 RBIs and 41 steals from the leadoff spot, helping Philadelphia rally from a big September deficit to win the NL East. He led the league in runs (139) and triples (20) - and became the second consecutive Phillies player to win the MVP following Ryan Howard last year.

Rollins proved a prophet after saying in spring training that the Phillies were the team to beat in a competitive division.

Holliday, who led his team to the National League pennant, was overlooked by voters despite leading the league with a .340 batting average and 137 RBIs. He was also near the top of the NL in doubles (50), home runs (36), total bases (386), runs (120) and hits (216).

Also, the Rockies were the best defensive team - not just this year, but EVER, and not one Rockies player was awarded a gold glove????????????

[Denver Native (Carol)]

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2007/nov/21/larry-walker-astounded-rockies-lack-hardware/

Larry Walker astounded by Rockies' lack of hardware

Larry Walker has won his share of postseason awards, mostly with the Rockies. But he never played on a Rockies team anywhere near as good as the one that just went to the World Series.

Hence, Walker, who lives in Florida, was astounded as he watched from afar as the postseason awards were announced and the Rockies came away empty.

"It's just a shame, really it is," Walker said by phone Wednesday. "You can't have the season they have and not win something. Rookie of the Year was a joke."

Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki finished second to Milwaukee third baseman Ryan Braun by two points in voting for the rookie honor in the National League. The latter had gaudy offense and an abysmal .895 fielding percentage.

The Rockies were also shut out in voting for the NL Most Valuable Player Award, where Matt Holliday finished second, 17 points behind Philadelphia shortstop Jimmy Rollins, and NL Manager of the Year, where Clint Hurdle was third behind Arizona's Bob Melvin and Philadelphia's Charlie Manuel.

Tulowitzki and first baseman Todd Helton were strong contenders for a Gold Glove award in the NL, but neither won. Tulowitzki led all major league shortstops in a host of defensive categories and made only 11 errors during the regular season. Helton didn't make an error in his final 91 regular-season games and finished with two errors in 152 games at first base.

Tulowitzki and Helton were pillars on a defense that set a major league record for the highest fielding percentage in history — .98925 or slightly better than the .98910 mark of the 2006 Boston Red Sox — and made just 68 errors to tie the 1999 New York Mets for the fewest ever by an NL team.

"To have the best fielding team in the history of the game and get nothing, that was a black eye," said Walker, the only Rockies player to win the NL MVP Award, which he did in 1997, and the winner of seven Gold Gloves, five with the Rockies, for his play in right field. "It doesn't make sense. It's like they're babying them into the awards . . . I just think it is way wrong.

"But (the Rockies players) all seem not to care about individual awards. It really seems they're more focused on the team."

Walker lives in West Palm Beach, Fla., but followed the Rockies rather closely as they began the 14-1 march that carried them into the postseason and became a 21-1 slice of history before they were swept in the World Series by Boston.

"I did watch when I could," Walker said.

Because of the three-hour time difference, watching regularly didn't happen for Walker when the Rockies played and won six straight games in San Diego and Los Angeles on Sept. 21-27. Those victories extended the Rockies' winning streak to a franchise-record 11.

"The games on the West Coast, I was in bed," Walker said. "I remember checking the paper the next morning and telling my wife, 'Can you believe it? The Rockies won again.'"

The winning, of course, carried all the way to the World Series. It began Oct. 24 at Boston. Walker was flying at the time to Toronto, where, the following night, he was inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame.

Walker had spoken months earlier with Rockies owner Charlie Monfort about attending the ceremony. The ever-optimistic Monfort said he would, unless the Rockies were in the World Series.

"So he couldn't come," Walker said. "And that was a good thing."

[broncosfanscott]

Most definitely Holliday should have been MVP. He lead the NL with highest batting average and RBIs.

Rollins batted .296 with 30 homers, 94 RBIs and 41 steals from the leadoff spot, helping Philadelphia rally from a big September deficit to win the NL East. He led the league in runs (139) and triples (20) - and became the second consecutive Phillies player to win the MVP following Ryan Howard last year.

Rollins proved a prophet after saying in spring training that the Phillies were the team to beat in a competitive division.

Holliday, who led his team to the National League pennant, was overlooked by voters despite leading the league with a .340 batting average and 137 RBIs. He was also near the top of the NL in doubles (50), home runs (36), total bases (386), runs (120) and hits (216).

Also, the Rockies were the best defensive team - not just this year, but EVER, and not one Rockies player was awarded a gold glove????????????

Yeah, when I heard that Holliday didn't win I was totally shocked. Nothing against Rollins and the year he had, but Holliday had a better one. How could the voters not see this? Weren't they paying attention when the Rockies won 21 out of 22 leading up to the WS? I guess not.

[Denver Native (Carol)]

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2007/nov/29/torrealba-appears-back/

Catcher Yorvit Torrealba agreed to a two-year contract with the the National League champion Colorado Rockies on Thursday.
Matt Herges appears to be headed back to the National League champions.

Catcher Yorvit Torrealba agreed to a two-year contract with the Rockies today.

The deal, whose imminence was first reported by the Rocky on Wednesday, is for the 2008 and 2009 seasons with a mutual option for 2010. No terms of the deal were disclosed, but it’s believed to be for about $7 million. That was the Rockies' initial offer to Torrealba before he began negotiation with the New York Mets.

Torrealba on Wednesday had completed the first portion of a physical in Denver, an indication he and the Rockies were close to a deal. Passing a physical typically is the last step before a contract is finalized and signed.

Reliever Matt Herges was scheduled to undergo a physical today in Denver. Torrealba and Herges filed for free agency after the World Series.

So did second baseman Kazuo Matsui, whom the Rockies have conceded they will lose. Matsui, 32, is expected to sign a three- year deal for about $15 million with the Chicago Cubs or Houston Astros.

This deal will be the first multiple-year contract for Torrealba, 29, who became the Rockies' regular catcher last season after rookie Chris Iannetta struggled.

"This is the team that actually gave me a chance to play," Torrealba said Wednesday. "I appreciate that. I'm really happy to be back here."

For a time, it appeared Torrealba was headed to the Mets on a three-year, $14.4 million deal. The Rockies were adamant about not offering Torrealba a three-year contract.

"Over there was three years guaranteed," Torrealba said. "It was something I thought about, something that was good for me and my family."

Indications are that with the contract set to be finalized, the Mets balked at a three-year deal. Torrealba said he never really wanted to leave the Rockies and had no reason to do so with Colorado and the Mets offering two- year contracts.

"They kind of tried to renegotiate and we back out," Torrealba said. "Now I have a chance to be where I want to be. I'm looking forward to seeing the fans and my teammates."

Torrealba hit .255 last season with eight home runs and 47 RBI in 113 games. Those were career highs for Torrealba, whose 105 starts at catcher were the second most in club history. Joe Girardi started 119 games in 1995.

Torrealba capitalized on Coors Field, where his .296 average was 84 points higher than on the road. He made seven errors and was tied for sixth among National League catchers with a .991 fielding percentage.

But Torrealba threw out only 13-of-74 (17.6 percent) runners attempting to steal and just two of his last 32.

Herges, 37, whose new contract will be for one year, proved to be a godsend to the Rockies bullpen when he began his second tour with the team July 4.

The Detroit Tigers had been pursuing Herges, who went 5-1 with a 2.96 ERA in 35 games for the Rockies and was effective against left- (.216 average) and right-handed (.184) hitters.

[Snapping Turtle]

Report: Matsui agrees to three-year deal
Second baseman played key role for NL champions last season
By Jim Molony / MLB.com


HOUSTON -- The Astros have reportedly agreed to terms with free agent second baseman Kazuo Matsui on a three-year, $15 million contract.

The Daily Herald of Chicago reported the agreement on the publication's Web site late Thursday night.

Astros GM Ed Wade's policy is not to comment on negotiations. Calls to Matsui's agent Arn Tellem were not returned.

The Astros had made an offer to Matsui last week and Wade had previously confirmed the team was interested in the 32-year-old switch-hitter, who played for the National League-champion Colorado Rockies this year.

Matsui, who will succeed the retired Craig Biggio as Houston's starting second baseman, hit .288 with four home runs and a .342 on-base percentage.

Jim Molony is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.



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


I like Kaz but the thought of all the 2nd base depth we have makes me really happy. The chance that Barmes could be back in the big leagues makes me wanna dance!:elefant: Especially if you pair that thought with the fact that Tulo will be turning double plays with him. Its like...my dream come true!:D

[Denver Native (Carol)]

I certainly hope the void can be filled with what we have. Many sports people have said that there was no better combination in baseball at short and second than Tulo and KazMat.

[Snapping Turtle]

I certainly hope the void can be filled with what we have. Many sports people have said that there was no better combination in baseball at short and second than Tulo and KazMat.

I feel like that was an indirect diss to Clint Barmes. :(

[Rick]

Torrealba here is great, not a fantastic base runner killer but is a great catcher to throw to for the pitchers. BIG keep there.

I hate losing Matsui, hopefully our kids in AAA can step it upo. Some of them are reported to have alot of batting abilty but they better have some defense as well.

We didn't go to the series with our bats...

[Denver Native (Carol)]

I feel like that was an indirect diss to Clint Barmes. :(

No, not an indirect diss towards any player. Just posted a comment I had heard.

[Kapaibro]

NASHVILLE, Tenn. | Denny Bautista was acquired by the Detroit Tigers from the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday, Dec. 4, in a swap of right-handed pitchers.

The National League champion Rockies received Jose Capellan, once considered a top prospect with Atlanta.

Bautista was 2-1 with a 12.46 ERA in nine games for Colorado this year and went 3-2 with a 2.92 ERA in 64 2/3 innings at Triple-A Colorado Springs. The 27-year-old is 1-1 with a 3.46 in eight appearances with Oriente in the Dominican Winter League and has a 4-10 major league record with a 6.93 ERA in 21 starts and 14 relief appearances.

Capellan went a combined 0-3 with a 5.54 ERA in 17 relief appearances this season for Milwaukee and Detroit, which acquired him July 1. He was 0-1 with a 5.79 ERA at Triple-A Toledo.

The 26-year-old Capellan is 5-7 with a 4.90 ERA in 96 relief appearances and two starts for Atlanta (2004), Milwaukee (2005-07) and Detroit (2007).

[Kapaibro]

Rockies named Organization of the Year by Baseball America

NASHVILLE – The Rockies were shutout in individual awards this year.

Monday, however, they hit what they consider the jackpot.

The Rockies were selected the Organization of the Year by Baseball America, which will present the award during the winter meetings on Tuesday.

"This is more fulfilling than any award any of us could have won,’’ said general manager Dan O’Dowd. "It affirms the efforts of the entire organization. It is recognition of the work everyone in the organization has done, from the business side to the baseball side.

"This is what our organization is about, the sum of the parts, not one individual.’’

A Rockies team that was a consensus to finish in either four or fifth place in the NL West for the 10th consecutive season instead put on one of the strongest season-ending pushes in baseball history, claimed the NL wild-card, and swept it’s way to the NL pennant by knocking off Philadelphia in the NL Division Series and Arizona in the NL Championship Series before being swept by Boston in the World Series.

"It's hard to imagine an organization having a year much better than what the Rockies just had.’’ said Will Lingo, editor of Baseball America. "We knew they were bringing great talent through their farm system, but we certainly didn't expect it to pay off with big league success so quickly. They won with home-grown players, have more talent on the way and have maintained stability in their front office, so they had pretty much everything we look for in an organization.’’

And they did it with a World Series roster that included 16 home-grown players, including rookie pitchers Ubaldo Jimenez and Franklin Morales, mid-season callups the Rockies turned to instead of bringing in veteran journeymen when needs arose in the rotation.

"We don’t have any hired guns,’’ said first baseman Todd Helton.

The Rockies are a home-made success story, and what makes them different from other teams that were under consideration, like Arizona, is that the folks who built the foundation in Colorado were given the chance by their ownership to see their vision through to fruition, which was underscored on Opening Day when O’Dowd and manager Clint Hurdle were given two-year extensions.

"What has happened proved that the people we have in place have the capability we knew they did,’’ said Rockies CEO Charlie Monfort. "When we announced the extensions for Dan and Clint it reached farther than the manager and general manager. The farm system was good. The scouting was good. We knew Clint could bring them together at the big-league level. This is gratifying not for ownership, but to know that after the slings and arrows that everyone in our organization took maybe we did know what we were doing.

"You have to realize that when you get rid of one person in baseball you get rid of the organization. Dan O’Dowd is (scouting director) Bill Schmidt and (vice president baseball operation) Bill Geivett and (director player development) Mark Gustafson. Consistency is what you need. You want people to feel they can do their job and not look over their shoulder after every loss. Consistency is what you need and we’ve had a system in place for eight years. Stability is any business is good.’’

O’Dowd is now fifth among general managers in terms of tenure with his current franchise. And the four who are ahead of him? Kevin Towers in San Diego, Billy Beane in Oakland, Brian Sabean in San Francisco and Bran Cashman of the Yankees.

"I would like to think (the extensions were) important to the people who work for us,’’ said O’Dowd. "The people who work for you are the heart beat of the organization.’’

The big-league success they enjoyed goes much deeper than the big leagues.

It has been a long-term challenge to create the confidence from within.

The Rockies have emphasized their scouting and player development, and made major strides in Latin America, where in the pre-O’Dowd era they would spend less than $100,000 a year, but in the past year alone have invested $1.9 million into signing bonus, much less the expenses of their staff and complex.

Rolando Fernandez, who oversees the Latin program, has recently begun to bring in position players, but the initial impact has come with a group of strong arms, including closer Manny Corpas, and starters Jimenez and Morales. That has given Schmidt flexibility in the annual draft to focus on adding impact position players, like shortstop Troy Tulowitzki. And the Rockies look into makeup along with abilities.

"When you go into our clubhouse there is evidence of old-school values, which is a tribute to the scouting and player development programs,’’ said Hurdle. "We knew when we started this it was going to take patience and patience takes courage. A lot of people were upset with it, but I think (the NL pennant) is a tangible sign that we are headed in the right direction.’’

The Rockies haven’t reached a final destination.

They have attained success with a home-grown nucleus, but the farm system hasn’t been bled dry, and that has not gone unnoticed.

"You can’t be surprised that the Rockies are a good team,’’ said **** Egan, a 47-year veteran of pro ball and currently a special assistant to the general manager in Detroit. "The Rockies kids didn’t crumble like the Diamondbacks kids from a couple years ago when they brought up all those guys and only Chad Tracy succeeded. The Rockies’ guys reached the big leagues and just kept getting better. And the biggest thing is they are going to get better.’’

And there are more on the way.

Consider that not only did Tulowitzki establish himself as an elite shortstop and the clubhouse leader in his rookie season, but the Rockies had four shortstops ranked among the top prospects in the minor leagues this year.

The irony is one of the worst moments in franchise history was the kindling for what has become the best moment. It was December of 2000 and the Rockies went on a spending spree. They passed on Alex Rodriguez, but gave Mike Hampton a seven-year, $121 million deal, the biggest ever signed by a pitcher, and also shelled out $55 million for five years to Denny Neagle.

The Rockies haven’t gone after a highly touted free agent since.

"I said when we (traded Hampton) that it was the turning point for our organization,’’ said Charlie Monfort. "We realized we had to do things within our market and we had to do things right. We aren’t a small-market team. We are mid-market and we have to do some things different than teams in New York or Chicago or Los Angeles.

"We have to scout and develop talent. We can never back off in those areas. We aren’t going to find quick fixes. We have to have a long-term plan.’’

And that realization, said O’Dowd, made things easier because "we identified the club we are, the club we are trying to build, and the club we want to maintain. First and foremost we have to focus on scouting and development as the basis for our organization. We want to look to give our players an opportunity when we think that they are ready . . . It was painful at times, but it was the best thing that happened to us. Hampton and Neagle taught us a lot of what we have to be as an organization.’’

The lesson has been learned.

And the initial grade has been turned in.

The Rockies are the Organization of the Year.

[Snapping Turtle]

LaTroy Hawkins signs with the Yankees 1 year, 3.75 Million dollars.

[Kapaibro]

DENVER -- The Rockies and right-handed pitcher Aaron Cook on Tuesday signed a new contract that will pay him $34.5 million and will keep him with the club through 2011, with a mutual option for 2012.
The Rockies picked up Cook's 2008 option worth $4.5 million last month. The new deal maintains his scheduled 2008 salary, but adds an additional $30 million, starting with bonus money added to his 2008 contract. Cook would have been eligible for free agency after the 2008 season.

Cook, who turns 29 on Feb. 8, joins left-hander Jeff Francis as having signed long-term contracts with the club. Francis accepted a four-year, $13.25 million contract last winter.

The Rockies consider tying their top two pitchers to the club a huge forward step. As a small-to-middle market franchise that has made big-money mistakes in the past, tight payrolls are a fact of life. But Colorado has a group of young players that accomplished a National League Championship in 2007, and wants to keep as much of that nucleus together as possible.

The Rockies hope the signing of Cook, on the heels of the Francis signing, helps convince other players to trade some of their free agency for the chance at more success with the Rockies.

"I'm not big on sending messages, but I think there are times when certain things are done professionally and respectfully that add value to everything that you do," manager Clint Hurdle said recently when asked what effect signing Cook to his contract will have on the core of young players. "And I think players appreciate that and I think that would be a very good example of an organization showing the people that are in play that we value you first.

"And we'll make every opportunity to make sure we get things done in a proper fashion and a timely fashion with the people that we hold high."

Cook went 8-7 with a 4.12 ERA -- lowest on the staff among starters with enough innings to qualify for the NL ERA title -- in 25 starts last season and was on a hot streak (3-1, 2.41 in six starts) before suffering a strained left oblique muscle on Aug. 10. His two complete games led the staff and his 2.78 ground-ball/fly-ball ratio ranked third among NL starters.

The injury kept Cook out until Game 4 of the World Series, when he gave up three runs in six innings and took the loss as the Red Sox completed a sweep with a 4-3 victory.

The Rockies' second-round Draft pick in 1997, Cook is 36-35 with a 4.47 ERA in 138 games, including 107 starts. Cook won the Tony Conigliaro Award from the Boston chapter of the Baseball Writers' Association of America after recovering from near-fatal blood clots in both lungs, which afflicted him in August 2005 and kept him out of the Majors for a year.

[Kapaibro]

DENVER -- The Rockies re-signed outfielder Cory Sullivan to a one-year, non-guaranteed $1 million contract on Wednesday, and general manager Dan O'Dowd said the team is "getting closer" to signing free-agent right-hander Kip Wells.
The deal with Sullivan came before Wednesday night's deadline for tendering offers to arbitration-eligible players.

Sullivan, 28, has hit .281 with the Rockies 2005-07. He was the starter in center field for much of 2006 but was supplanted when the Rockies acquired Willy Taveras from the Astros last winter. In 2007, Sullivan hit .262 in 53 games at Triple-A Colorado Springs and .286 in 72 games with the Rockies.

"We felt Cory was someone we wanted to keep on our roster, and we're glad we were able to keep him outside of the arbitration process," O'Dowd said.

Wells, who will turn 31 on April 21 and went 7-17 with a 5.70 ERA in starting and relief roles with the Cardinals last season, is being pursued to compete for a starting rotation spot or help the bullpen.

The Denver Post, citing a source close to the situation, reported that Wells' deal could be worth in the neighborhood of $3 million.

The Rockies tendered offers to all their other established Major League players eligible for arbitration. They non-tendered pitcher Darren Clarke and outfielder Sean Barker, both of whom made brief appearances with the Rockies in 2007. The club can still re-sign them.

The Rocky Mountain News reported that the Rockies have also reached an agreement to re-sign left-hander Mark Redman on a non-guaranteed, one-year deal worth $1 million.

[BroncoAV06]

Matt Herges named in Mitchell Report.

Gelallan Hill on there as well, Rockies first base coach.

As for the team, just signed Kip Wells to a one year deal, most likely will be a 5th starter don't expect big things, pretty much a Josh Fogg type.

2nd base is interesting, Nix and Stewart should get looks if the Rockies are unable to sign a vet. Hopefully they will be able to find a consistaint player at 2nd, Ian's bat would be another huge weapon in the line-up.

[Kapaibro]

DENVER -- Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd said Monday that he has spoken with right-handed reliever Matt Herges, who was accused of using steroids and human growth hormone in the Mitchell Report released last week, and he expects Herges to speak publicly at some point.

Herges hasn't spoken to the media since former Sen. George Mitchell's report was released Thursday. Information about Herges was provided by former Dodgers Triple-A strength and conditioning coach Todd Selyer and former Mets employee Kirk Radomski, who has pleaded guilty to one count of distributing steroids illegally and one count of money laundering as the result of a federal investigation.

Herges declined to participate in Mitchell's investigation and hasn't answered media requests.

"I think at some point Matt will address the issue, and when he addresses it, we'll address it at that point in time, too," O'Dowd said.

What isn't known is whether Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig will suspend Herges. Mitchell asked Selig to forego punishments except in "egregious" cases. The Radomski investigation accused Herges of trying to obtain HGH in 2004 and 2005, after baseball's drug testing/prevention program was in place.

Selyer linked Herges to steroids as early as 1999.

O'Dowd said the Rockies don't necessarily need to change their strategy just in case they lose Herges, who went 5-1 with a 2.96 ERA in 35 appearances last season, for a brief period.

"When we get back from the holidays, we're going to look at where we are and look at who might be out there that we might take a shot at bringing into camp," O'Dowd said. "It has nothing to do with Matt's situation. It's just how we do our business."

The Rockies are working toward completing a two-year, reported $7.5 million deal with Luis Vizcaino to work alongside Herges in a late-innings setup role. Help could come from a group of young setup men such as Ryan Speier, who was strong late in 2007, and Jose Capellan, who pitched well for the Brewers in 2006 but struggled with the Tigers last season.

O'Dowd also said he isn't certain if the Commissioner will discipline first-base coach Glenallen Hill, who was accused in the Mitchell Report of being involved with performance-enhancing drugs in 2001 at the end of his playing career.

[BroncoAV06]

The Rockies continue to look at protection for second base, where rookie Jayson Nix is expected to replace Kazuo Matsui in the lineup. Dan O'Dowd has had preliminary conversations with the agents for Todd Walker and Marcus Giles about possible non-roster invitations to spring training. -- Rocky Mountain News

I like Nix, young guy, will need some time to adjust to the MLB but is another good young in house prospect. Infield could be all home grown.

[Snapping Turtle]

I nnnneeeeeeeeeEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEeeeeeeeeed basssseeeeeeeballllllllllllllll sooooooooooon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



:confused:

[Watchthemiddle]

I like Nix, young guy, will need some time to adjust to the MLB but is another good young in house prospect. Infield could be all home grown.

What about Ian Stewart?

[BroncoAV06]

What about Ian Stewart?

They were working him at 2nd in the fall league, Nix is a natural 2nd baseman were as Stewart is a 3rd baseman. I think that both could see time if the Rockies do not find a vetern they like to bridge the gap some.

I think that the Rockies just need to do it to se if Nix and or Stewart can do the job. Will be some bumps but will pay off big if it works out.

[Rick]

The thing I hear about Ian is that he has alot of power, so his bat could help and he won't get much time at third.

Might not be a bad idea to work Ian out at first though as Helton needs a replacement groomed, have to think of the future.

If Ian can play defence good at 2nd though then I say let him have it as could use his bat, but if Niz has far better D then need that as matsui is a huge loss defensively.

[Kapaibro]

The thing I hear about Ian is that he has alot of power, so his bat could help and he won't get much time at third.

Might not be a bad idea to work Ian out at first though as Helton needs a replacement groomed, have to think of the future.

If Ian can play defence good at 2nd though then I say let him have it as could use his bat, but if Niz has far better D then need that as matsui is a huge loss defensively.

The notion with Stewart is that Atkins (who played first base at UCLA) will take over from Helton, and Stewart will move onto 3rd.

[Snapping Turtle]

The notion with Stewart is that Atkins (who played first base at UCLA) will take over from Helton, and Stewart will move onto 3rd.

They are also looking at him for second, and maybe keeping Atkins at 3rd and bringing Koshansky to play 1st. ;)

[Kapaibro]

They are also looking at him for second, and maybe keeping Atkins at 3rd and bringing Koshansky to play 1st. ;)

Oh sweet cracker sandwich! Joe K, Stew, Tulo and G! Be still my heart!

[Snapping Turtle]

Oh sweet cracker sandwich! Joe K, Stew, Tulo and G! Be still my heart!

LOL! And imagine, Barmes as utility infielder. Last night I was out with my friends Sarah and Andrew and her parents took us to dessert. Her dad is REALLY into sports, and told me that I am the only person he has ever met that knows more about the Rockies than he does. But anyway, he said that he heard on the radio that Barmes basically has utility infielder in the bag. I'm sure he will have to try out still, or he may even still be some sort of trade bait. Yeah, I'm excited for 2008!

[Kapaibro]

LOL! And imagine, Barmes as utility infielder. Last night I was out with my friends Sarah and Andrew and her parents took us to dessert. Her dad is REALLY into sports, and told me that I am the only person he has ever met that knows more about the Rockies than he does. But anyway, he said that he heard on the radio that Barmes basically has utility infielder in the bag. I'm sure he will have to try out still, or he may even still be some sort of trade bait. Yeah, I'm excited for 2008!

It is such an exciting prospect, this coming season, if it hurries up and gets here!

[Snapping Turtle]

It is such an exciting prospect, this coming season, if it hurries up and gets here!

Its going to be fun, but all of the seasons have been fun for me. I think that without Kaz we may struggle. Carroll wasnt a huge lose, Hawkins either. But yeah...its going to be different without them. I am so excited for Spring Training to get here. Its such an exciting time!:elefant:

[Jody]

Its going to be fun, but all of the seasons have been fun for me. I think that without Kaz we may struggle. Carroll wasnt a huge lose, Hawkins either. But yeah...its going to be different without them. I am so excited for Spring Training to get here. Its such an exciting time!:elefant:

I love your new avy, Snapper, it's fantastic!

[Kapaibro]

I love your new avy, Snapper, it's fantastic!

it's a tad bit bigger, huh?

[Broncospsycho77]

The Rox over the Padres was ESPN's 3rd best upset of the season, just behind Boise St-Oklahoma and last year's New England-Indy game in the playoffs.

Go Rockies!

[Rick]

Just for an update, I am still looking into a rockies site, I am just taking my time to research exactly how i want to make it. I could be up in a day with VBulletin but am thinking of using a different portal system in asp.net and simply want to have all my ducks in a row, do the proper research now before I get it all launched and have misgivings later about maybe having prefered to go a different direction with it.

It will still take some time for me to go through all the reasearch on what I want to do. I want to for one install and play with the asp.net site and learn it a bit and see if it will work out the way I want it to or perhaps do the same with some other asp.net packages and if none will really be as good as I hope perhaps I will just use vbulletin.

[Thnikkaman]

Lets go Rockies.

[Snapping Turtle]

I love your new avy, Snapper, it's fantastic!

:laugh: Thank you! I am quite thrilled with it and the statement it makes!


Anyway, news on the baseball front today.


Rockies close to signing Towers
Right-hander could compete for spot in starting rotation
By Thomas Harding / MLB.com


DENVER -- The Rockies are close to signing right-handed pitcher Josh Towers to a one-year contract that could pay him $1.8 million plus incentives.

Two sources close to the situation say the deal isn't finalized. Towers, who went 5-10 with a 5.38 ERA for the Blue Jays last season, was non-tendered after the season.

The sources don't consider the deal complete because Towers would need to pass a physical, and some contract language is still being discussed. The sides have discussed a deal under which Towers would earn $400,000 if placed on the 40-man roster, but be paid at a $1.8 million rate if on the 25-man roster. Incentives would start at 35 games pitched.

The Rockies would have Towers compete for a starting rotation spot or operate out of the bullpen. The team has also has re-signed left-hander Mark Redman, who finished 2007 with the Rockies, and right-hander Kip Wells, who pitched for the Cardinals last season.

Towers, who turns 31 on Feb. 26, is 45-55 with a 4.96 ERA in 137 games, including 112 starts, with the Orioles (2001-02) and Blue Jays (2004-07). Towers had 77 strikeouts against 26 walks last season, and had a healthy 1.31 ground-ball/fly-ball ratio.




Interesting. Also, its being said that Yorvit will be our primary catcher again this season. After he stayed with us I thought that was kinda obvious, although I would love to see some more Iannetta action. If he truly is the catcher of our future he needs more work.

[darrent/hero]

well.

i guess im on the rocky bandwagon now rockies

[Snapping Turtle]

well.

i guess im on the rocky bandwagon now rockies

What bandwagon were you on last season, I cant remember? Yankees?:rolleyes:

[Kapaibro]

well.

i guess im on the rocky bandwagon now rockies

You're a bit of a slow learner.

[slim]

I hear they are interested in signing Giles to play 2B. I really would rather they give Nix a shot.

[Snapping Turtle]

I hear they are interested in signing Giles to play 2B. I really would rather they give Nix a shot.

Same here, we dont need any Padre trash. :rolleyes:

[slim]

Same here, we dont need any Padre trash. :rolleyes:

Did you notice that the snakes have made themselves alot better during the offseason (trading for Haren, etc) and we have basically done nothing? That has me a little worried. Hopefully, Jiminez and Morales will pick up where they left off last year. :beer:

[Rick]

The name of the game for the most part last year, especially at the end of the year was defense and pitching,and for the most part nothing there has changed, if anything we should be better in that regard though experiance.

Also hopefully the batting will be a bit more consistant now as well as a cpl younglings got experiance.

This team is good enough at its core to make more runs, major movings and shakings isnt what is needed so much as a little patch work hereand there and keep the major pieces in place.

If they don't let guys like Holiday and Atkins walk when contract talks come up and they fork out the cash then this team will be good for years.

When you can keep a good young group like this together for years it just makes you better. Everyone knows what everyone can and will do, breeds consistency.

[Kapaibro]

The name of the game for the most part last year, especially at the end of the year was defense and pitching,and for the most part nothing there has changed, if anything we should be better in that regard though experiance.

Also hopefully the batting will be a bit more consistant now as well as a cpl younglings got experiance.

This team is good enough at its core to make more runs, major movings and shakings isnt what is needed so much as a little patch work hereand there and keep the major pieces in place.

If they don't let guys like Holiday and Atkins walk when contract talks come up and they fork out the cash then this team will be good for years.

When you can keep a good young group like this together for years it just makes you better. Everyone knows what everyone can and will do, breeds consistency.

Great post.

I think if Garrett and Troy can maintain their batting consistency we should be good. With Kaz out of the lineup I hope Troy gets the 2nd spot, which he did really well with!

[Snapping Turtle]

The name of the game for the most part last year, especially at the end of the year was defense and pitching,and for the most part nothing there has changed, if anything we should be better in that regard though experiance.

Also hopefully the batting will be a bit more consistant now as well as a cpl younglings got experiance.

This team is good enough at its core to make more runs, major movings and shakings isnt what is needed so much as a little patch work hereand there and keep the major pieces in place.

If they don't let guys like Holiday and Atkins walk when contract talks come up and they fork out the cash then this team will be good for years.

When you can keep a good young group like this together for years it just makes you better. Everyone knows what everyone can and will do, breeds consistency.

Build from within works for us. The guys are comfortable with each other and to me that is one of the reasons we got as far as we did. I say...add Barmes and Nix to the mix and we have what we need. (Sorry for the other shameless Barmes plug!)

Slim--Of course I noticed this! And I am so scared. But we beat Webb last season when it was crucial...so he should be less of a threat, Haren. We'll wait and see. ;)

[slim]

Damn, I still can't get over last year. It still seems like a dream.

[Snapping Turtle]

Damn, I still can't get over last year. It still seems like a dream.

Me either. If its a bad day just think of game 163 and all is better again. :D

[slim]

Me either. If its a bad day just think of game 163 and all is better again. :D

Have you been to a game in Coors field?.

I moved to AZ before it was built, so I have never been there. I loved going to Mile High to watch the games. But I would really love to watch a game in Coors.

[Snapping Turtle]

Have you been to a game in Coors field?.

I moved to AZ before it was built, so I have never been there. I loved going to Mile High to watch the games. But I would really love to watch a game in Coors.

Yeah :D I live just outside of Denver when Im not at school. Last summer I went to 17 games there, thats my record. I was trying to get to 20 but didnt make it obviously.

[slim]

Yeah :D I live just outside of Denver when Im not at school. Last summer I went to 17 games there, thats my record. I was trying to get to 20 but didnt make it obviously.

That's cool...I'll get back there one of these days. I always go to a game or two when the Rox are in Phoenix. I hate the freaking snakes :D

[Snapping Turtle]

That's cool...I'll get back there one of these days. I always go to a game or two when the Rox are in Phoenix. I hate the freaking snakes :D

My brother goes to Arizona a lot for baseball tournies and he saw a Rox/Dbacks game last season. He says Chase is nice. I was kinda jealous he got to go because someday I want to go to a series at every park in the NL West...,yeah anyway,Coors is...just awesome. I should dig around and find some pics Ive taken there if you are interested. I love taking pictures when I go...I always get there about 2 hours early and stuff. I basically live there in the summer. One week last summer I went to 3 games in a row...that was great. So yeah Im rambling a bit now. LOL

[slim]

My brother goes to Arizona a lot for baseball tournies and he saw a Rox/Dbacks game last season. He says Chase is nice. I was kinda jealous he got to go because someday I want to go to a series at every park in the NL West...,yeah anyway,Coors is...just awesome. I should dig around and find some pics Ive taken there if you are interested. I love taking pictures when I go...I always get there about 2 hours early and stuff. I basically live there in the summer. One week last summer I went to 3 games in a row...that was great. So yeah Im rambling a bit now. LOL

LOL...hell yeah, bring out the pics. Chase field is OK. Really, I am looking forward to watching a few spring training games. Tucson is only about a two hour drive. Of course the Rox will be up here in Phoenix quite a bit as well. I will try to get some pics from spring training.

[Snapping Turtle]

LOL...hell yeah, bring out the pics. Chase field is OK. Really, I am looking forward to watching a few spring training games. Tucson is only about a two hour drive. Of course the Rox will be up here in Phoenix quite a bit as well. I will try to get some pics from spring training.

Ok Ill find some cool ones :D Awesome you get to see some Spring Training, Ive never been and want to so bad. My whole family is going this year for a couple games without me. It makes me feel so great about myself considering I am by far the biggest Rockies fan in the family. :rolleyes:


Alright...going to dig up some pics!

[Rick]

I live a bit over 2 hours away, so can't go often :( Have only gone to 2 games :(

One was lower level infield though, right between dugout and catchers mound so was great view :)

[Snapping Turtle]

Ok I have a lot of cool pics, so it might take a couple of posts.

Anyway, this is my fave pic basically ever...2006 fan photo day. Me with Clint Barmes and Corey Sullivan. Yeah I know I wasnt wearing any Rockies gear..bad me.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b277/lijicons101/kt.jpg

This is my little brother with Todd Helton, pre-beard thing
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b277/lijicons101/p.jpg

Opening day of this season:
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b277/lijicons101/DSCF00082.jpg

Me and my little bro
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b277/lijicons101/DSCF00332.jpg

[Snapping Turtle]

Me and my OTHER little bro:
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b277/lijicons101/DSCF00302.jpg

Opening day flag thing?
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b277/lijicons101/DSCF00712.jpg

This is taken from my fave seats...right field above the scoreboard. I dont know why but I love sitting there....well behind the plate is cooler but hard to get. LOL

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b277/lijicons101/DSCF0072.jpg

Chris Iannetta signing one day:
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b277/lijicons101/DSCF0263.jpg

[Snapping Turtle]

Best seats I ever had...hahah
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b277/lijicons101/atkinsonbase.jpg

I made this sign...woo
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b277/lijicons101/sign.jpg

Brad Hawpe signing:
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b277/lijicons101/DSCF0375.jpg

My AWESOME glove:
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b277/lijicons101/DSCF0376.jpg

[Snapping Turtle]

Tulo signing my awesome glove!
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b277/lijicons101/TULLOOO.jpg

I got my jersey signed when Clint got called up at the end of last season. I was thrilled...especially since I got a hug from him. woot.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b277/lijicons101/2007_02070043.jpg

Tulo...
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b277/lijicons101/2007_02070004.jpg

Clint signing
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b277/lijicons101/2007_02070011.jpg



Ok thats all for now.

[slim]

Damn, nice pics...I guess it's safe to say you are a Barmes fan? I will try to get a few from spring training.

[Snapping Turtle]

Damn, nice pics...I guess it's safe to say you are a Barmes fan? I will try to get a few from spring training.

Yeah, safe to say. HAHA. I have that jersey framed now and its hanging on my wall. Really, I am a fan of middle infield. I love Tulo, but who doesnt. I have a couple baseballs covered in autographs too and as long as I have loved the Rox I was never able to get a Barmes auto until last season. That was a good day for me. I think Clint should win the utility infield job this season with Carroll gone and might even get the 2nd base job. He's got a great glove and has really worked to improve his bat. ...Shameless Barmes plugs will be the death of me one day. :rolleyes:

[slim]

Yeah, safe to say. HAHA. I have that jersey framed now and its hanging on my wall. Really, I am a fan of middle infield. I love Tulo, but who doesnt. I have a couple baseballs covered in autographs too and as long as I have loved the Rox I was never able to get a Barmes auto until last season. That was a good day for me. I think Clint should win the utility infield job this season with Carroll gone and might even get the 2nd base job. He's got a great glove and has really worked to improve his bat. ...Shameless Barmes plugs will be the death of me one day. :rolleyes:

Well, it's nice to find another hardcore Rockies fan. There were a handful of Rockies fans over at BroncosFreak, but nothing like this.

Here's to another NL Pennant...:elefant:

[Snapping Turtle]

Well, it's nice to find another hardcore Rockies fan. There were a handful of Rockies fans over at BroncosFreak, but nothing like this.

Here's to another NL Pennant...:elefant:

Woot! Rockies fans are the best. Ok..Im not trying to promote you going to another Broncos site, but there is an awesome group of Rockies fans over at Broncos country. I'm proud to say I have been voted "president" of the thread over there. :laugh:

http://forums.denverbroncos.com/showthread.php?t=64866


if you want to check it out, there is some great gameday discussion over there....:D

[Broncospsycho77]

Hopefully those seats at Coors will be filled this season. I haven't been to a Rockies game since '97 :sad:. Moving is a hard thing to do...

[Snapping Turtle]

Rox, Giles reach tentative agreement
Veteran second baseman to take physical next week
By Tom Singer / MLB.com

The Rockies already have multiple candidates to fill the one existing vacancy in their lineup, the second-base hole left when free agent Kazuo Matsui signed with Houston.

By early next week, they might have another -- veteran Marcus Giles, who, Major League sources have confirmed to MLB.com, has reached a tentative agreement on a Minor League deal with the National League champions.

Giles is expected in Denver early next week for the prerequisite physicals, following which the club would make an announcement.

Giles, 29, would have a chance to resurrect a career that has gone south quickly since 2005, his third straight impressive season in Atlanta. The Braves made no attempt to re-sign him after he slumped to .262 in 2006, and he was similarly waived by San Diego after batting .229 last season.

Giles' average has declined every season since his breakthrough in 2003, when he batted .316 and earned a berth on the NL All-Star team. But he could be a valuable veteran backup to No. 1 on the pre-Spring Training depth chart, rookie Jayson Nix.

The agreement with Giles would include an invitation to Spring Training as well as an option for the 2009 season.

Nix has the credentials -- MVP of last fall's World Cup in Taiwan, as Team USA captured the event for the first time since the 1970s -- but no big-league experience yet.

Of manager Clint Hurdle's fall-back options, Giles would be the only bona fide second baseman (where he has played all but nine of his 754 career games). Others in the field include 2005-06 starting shortstop Clint Barmes, lefty-hitting Omar Quintanilla and a pair of third basemen seen capable of shifting -- Ian Stewart and Jeff Baker.




And I now feel like Barmes' chances of making the roster have completely flown out the window. :sad:

[Rick]

I like it. can't go wrong with getting a nice vet second baseman.

I think Barnes is a bit better myself, and he may win in out in spring training,but regardless i just like stock piling vets that can play the position. Have to keep that defense strong.

[Rick]

I have the basics of my site up.

Rockies Forums (http://rockiesforums.com)

I am planning on taking this real slow, design and code quite a few custom features for the site that will take a little while to make with work and college in the way and of course testing them out as each will need database storage for player stats.

If you are interested in just talking rockies as friends then feel free to head over there now. if you want to wait until I have the features coded in then that is fine as well, I am not planning on those by this season though, i plan to have them done and implemented for the next season's use.

The site is basically just place holder images and colors. With time and member input it will be redesigned.

[Snapping Turtle]

I have the basics of my site up.

Rockies Forums (http://rockiesforums.com)

I am planning on taking this real slow, design and code quite a few custom features for the site that will take a little while to make with work and college in the way and of course testing them out as each will need database storage for player stats.

If you are interested in just talking rockies as friends then feel free to head over there now. if you want to wait until I have the features coded in then that is fine as well, I am not planning on those by this season though, i plan to have them done and implemented for the next season's use.

The site is basically just place holder images and colors. With time and member input it will be redesigned.

OMG :elefant: This is honestly the COOLEST thing EVER. Im serious too, its been a long time coming thats for sure! Thanks for putting your time and effort into making it. Would you care if I showed the site to some of the other Rockies fans I know on some other message boards?

[Rick]

ya you can tell whomever you like :) Just make sure they know it is still in development and will be for some time.

[Snapping Turtle]

ya you can tell whomever you like :) Just make sure they know it is still in development and will be for some time.

I will for sure! There are quite a few of us who are what I like to call "displaced rockies fans" over at Broncos Country. We've all be looking for a place to chat baseball/Rockies without feeling like we were invading another forum. I think a few of them will be pleased to know that someone has created a place just for Rockies fans!


BTW, I am going to join soon!:cool:

[Rick]

I installed a wiki on the server.

For those of you not knowing what one is it is basically a site you can go to, create custom pages for, example can make pages for the history of the rockies, big games, players, etc. Sky is the limit.

Right now it is a default theme, nothing fancy, but it works, rest will come later.

It has a profile builder but I enabled public access so should be able to create a page without logging in, so don't worry about an account. At some point i will be seeing about haveing the forums and the wiki share the same member page.

http://wiki.rockiesforums.com/

Enjoy spreading your knowledge of Colorado Rockies baseball :) And like the forum, it is open source C# so might have some bugs, if you find some let me know :)

[slim]

Nice work, Rick. I signed up over there. Please don't ban me :elefant:

[Snapping Turtle]

Pitchers and catchers report in 32 days! :elefant:

[Kapaibro]

Pitchers and catchers report in 32 days! :elefant:

Yippppeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Rick]

Omar Quintanilla has proven he can hit at any level and his defense is as good as any in the game. Why not give the kid a chance by giving him more at-bats to let him prove himself? Not a lot of big leaguers can prove themselves with 100 or so at-bats.
-- Zak F., Pueblo, Colo.

Each player going for the second-base job has pluses, as well as fans who think he should get the job. The Rockies plan to go into it with an open mind, so theoretically a hot Spring Training could make a difference. Quintanilla has an opportunity to show he's more than a glove man.

Quintanilla had a chance to establish himself in 2006, but fouled a ball off his right leg and missed the rest of the year. He had a strong Spring Training last year, but he came to camp a utility man who was behind Jamey Carroll on the depth chart. He had good offensive season at Triple-A Colorado Springs.

If Quintanilla doesn't prevail at second, he's a viable utility man candidate. He can play second, shortstop and third base as well as anyone the Rockies have, and being a left-handed bat could give the club options in the late innings.

Have the Rockies finally made Manny Corpas the closer, or will they still have Brian Fuentes in the mix?
-- Michael R., Oak Forest, Ill.

Corpas grabbed the job right before the All-Star break last season and didn't let go. He will return as closer. If he is injured or struggles, the Rockies have a three-time All-Star in Fuentes to move into the spot.

How does the media feel about some of the Rox's pickups this offseason compared to the rest of the National League West?
Zach S., Englewood, Colo.

I doubt media outside of Colorado spend much time analyzing the Rockies' moves, mainly because the club hasn't offered a lot to analyze. Depending on how the competitions for the second base and fifth starting pitcher jobs go, it's possible that everyone who starts the 2008 season for the club will have been either on the team or in the organization last season.

How is the Rockies' money doing? Is the payroll even close to those of the Red Sox or Yankees? Is it possible for the Rockies to become a powerhouse, and how long would it take?
-- Tylef B., Golden, Colo.


The Yankees and the Red Sox, in order, have the largest payrolls in baseball, and they dwarf everyone else. The Rockies' payroll last season was some $89 million less that that of the Red Sox, and the Rox's expected increase of around $20 million this year won't exactly bridge the gap.

With no salary cap, there's no chance of the Rockies coming anywhere close to those two giants in payroll spending, since the Denver market will never generate comparable television and sponsorship money.

But that answer doesn't have much to do with whether the Rockies can be successful. The Twins and Athletics had nice runs of success with low payrolls a few years back. As long as the Rockies can keep a young core and develop enough replacements, and make the right decisions, they have a chance to succeed without trying to outspend richer clubs.

[Denver Native (Carol)]

http://www.9news.com/news/article.aspx?storyid=84735

Holliday and Rockies agree to $23 million, 2-year contract

DENVER (AP) - The Colorado Rockies hope to eventually lock up Matt Holliday to a long-term deal. The team bought some additional time Friday, agreeing to a $23 million, two-year contract that avoided arbitration.

"This is the first step in a process we hope will lead to a long-term relationship with him," Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd said.

Holliday, the National League MVP runner-up, hit .340 last season with 137 RBIs, becoming the third player since 1967 to lead a league in both categories. He also had 36 home runs and led the NL in hits (216), total bases (386) and doubles (50) as he helped the Rockies to their first pennant.

He finished a close second to Jimmy Rollins of the Phillies in the MVP balloting.

Holliday, who turned 28 three days ago, also earned the NLCS MVP award after hitting .333 with two home runs and four RBIs in a four-game sweep of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

After making $4.4 million last season, Holliday gets $9.5 million this year and $13.5 million in 2009.

Colorado outfielder Willy Taveras agreed to a one-year deal worth $1,975,000. Taveras can make $150,000 in performance bonuses; $50,000 each for 500, 550 and 600 plate appearances.

Taveras, 26, provided speed at the top of the lineup for the Rockies last season. He hit .320 and stole 33 bases in 97 game for Colorado last season.

"We are excited to come to agreements with both Matt and Willy," O'Dowd said.

The Rockies' remaining arbitration-eligible players include third baseman Garrett Atkins, reliever Brian Fuentes and outfielder Brad Hawpe.

[Denver Native (Carol)]

http://www.9news.com/news/article.aspx?storyid=84837


DENVER – The Denver Post reports that the Colorado Rockies are nearing a record-breaking deal to keep shortstop Troy Tulowitzki in the Mile High City for six more years.

The Post reports the deal is believed to be worth $30 million. That would be the biggest extension ever given to a major leaguer with less than two years experience in the league.

The current record for a contract extension for a player with less than two years of major league experience was the six-year $23.5 million deal signed by Cleveland Indians outfielder Grady Sizemore in 2006.

Tulowitzki, who is heading into his sophomore season in the big leagues, is also rumored to be close to signing significant endorsement deals, according to the Post, which is relatively uncommon for players from the Colorado Rockies.

After hitting .291 with 24 homers, 99 RBI and posting a league leading .987 fielding percentage at shortstop in his first season, Tulo finished second to Ryan Braun in the NL Rookie of the Year voting and won the This Year in Baseball fan vote for the top rookie in all of Major League Baseball.

On Friday, the Rockies avoided arbitration with outfielders Matt Holliday and Willy Taveras. Holliday agreed on a two-year $23 million contract and Taveras inked a one-year deal worth nearly $2 million.

[Rick]

This is cool, was what I was waiting to see from the owners. Would they stay small market mentality or would they penny up on the guys that got them where they are and remain in contention.

[Broncolingus]

I guess now that they've resigned Holiday, that mean's Dealin Dan will now let every other 'good' player go...

[Thnikkaman]

With the Tulo deal, I would not be surprised if we continue to try to keep our core together.

[Kapaibro]

The Tulo deal is done!!!!!!!!


Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki's six-year, $30 million contract extension, the largest ever granted a Major League player with fewer than two years of experience, is a physical away from being complete, according to baseball sources.
The extension would surpass the six-year, $23.45 million deal that the Indians signed outfielder Grady Sizemore to in 2006. Tulowitzki's deal also would include a club option for 2013.

Tulowitzki, 23, also becomes the fourth player in the Rockies' young core to sign a multiyear contract that would cover all of his arbitration years, and the third with a contract that would extend into his free agency.

Matt Holliday's two-year, $23 million contract, reached on Friday, covers his final two arbitration years. The four-year, $13.25 million deal left-handed pitcher Jeff Francis signed in November 2006 has a club option for a fifth year, which would have been Francis' first of free agency. With free agency pending after the 2008 season, right-hander Aaron Cook signed a deal that will pay him $34.5 million from 2008 to 2011, with a mutual option for 2012.

The Rockies' No. 1 draft pick out of Long Beach State in 2005, Tulowitzki was chosen by fans visiting MLB.com as the Major Leagues' Rookie of the Year in the sixth annual This Year in Baseball Voting. He batted .291 and set an NL rookie shortstop record with 24 home runs, eclipsing Hall of Famer Ernie Banks' 1954 record of 19 for the Cubs.

Tulowitzki also led Major League shortstops with a .987 fielding percentage, 561 assists and 114 double plays turned.

[Rick]

Just need to get Atkins and Hawpe in the fold now and can keep the young core together.

I just hope that the team isn't going to see Stewart and Baker sitting there and consider Atkins and Hawpe expendable as a result. I want to retain the whole group.

[Snapping Turtle]

Yey for the signings! Lets hope that we can find the right person to start at 2nd. I am having visions of last season when we felt the need to sign Mabry and Finley just because we thought their veteran knowledge would help the team in some way.

[Denver Native (Carol)]

http://www.9news.com/news/article.aspx?storyid=85020

It's official: Tulo signs 6-year deal

DENVER – A deal that was rumored to be in the works all week is finally official.

The Colorado Rockies announced Wednesday that shortstop Troy Tulowitzki inked a deal to keep him in purple pinstripes through 2013, with a club option for 2014.

"This team's success is a big part of why I signed," said Tulowitzki at a news conference on Wednesday. "If I didn't think we could win here, I wouldn't have done this deal."

Tulowitzki helped lead the Rockies to their first National League pennant in team history in 2007 while hitting .291 with 24 homers and 99 RBI. The home run and RBI totals were both NL rookie shortstop records.

The 23-year-old also led all major league shortstops in fielding percentage (.987), total chances (834), assists (561), putouts (262) and double plays (114). The Rockies shortstop finished second in the NL Rookie of the Year voting, losing out to Milwaukee's Ryan Braun by a slim two votes. It was the closest vote since 1980.

The Rockies did not disclose financial details of the agreement, but the Denver Post reports the deal was worth a record $31 million – the most ever for a player with less than two years of Major League service time. If the club exercises its option for 2014, Tulowitzki will make $15 million that season, which would make the contract worth $46 million.

The deal eclipses the previous record for players with less than two years of big league experience, held by Grady Sizemore of the Cleveland Indians, who signed a 6-year $23.5 million deal in March 2006.

"Troy brings leadership and toughness to our club, and, most importantly, he's a winning player," stated Rockies VP General Manager Dan O'Dowd in a news release.

Tulowitzki thanked his parents, teammates and the Rockies organization at the news conference at Coors Field on Wednesday.

The slick-fielding shortstop showed up for his news conference wearing a black suit, white shirt and purple tie, and was flanked by teammates Matt Holliday and Garrett Atkins.

Tulowitzki said he's just getting over the sting of being swept by the Boston Red Sox in the World Series. However, the team's success played a big role in committing to a long-term deal.

"The guys on this team are great baseball players, but more than that they are great guys, great people," Tulowitzki said. "I took that into consideration. I looked at that and said, 'Wow, if we can keep the core guys together, we have the makings to be something special."'

Holliday agreed last week to a $23 million, two-year contract. Tulowitzki is hopeful that deal gets lengthened.

"He can make tons of money if he tests the free agent market," Tulowitzki said. "We know that, the organization knows that, everybody in baseball knows that. I'm going to be here for the next six years, I hope he wants to join me."

[Kapaibro]

DENVER -- Troy Tulowitzki went into spring training last year just hoping to secure a spot on the Colorado Rockies' roster. That won't be a concern this season.

Tulowitzki and the NL champions finalized a $31 million, six-year contract on Wednesday that includes a club option for 2014.

"It's surreal," Tulowitzki said. "It's awesome."

The 23-year-old slick-fielding shortstop showed up for his news conference wearing a black suit, white shirt and purple tie, and was flanked by teammates Matt Holliday and Garrett Atkins. watch Snapp swoon!

Runner-up for NL Rookie of the Year last season, Tulowitzki said he's just getting over the sting of being swept by the Boston Red Sox in the World Series.

However, the team's success played a big role in committing to a long-term deal.

"The guys on this team are great baseball players, but more than that they are great guys, great people," Tulowitzki said. "I took that into consideration. I looked at that and said, 'Wow, if we can keep the core guys together, we have the makings to be something special."'

Holliday agreed last week to a $23 million, two-year contract. Tulowitzki is hopeful that deal gets lengthened.

"He can make tons of money if he tests the free-agent market," Tulowitzki said. "We know that, the organization knows that, everybody in baseball knows that. I'm going to be here for the next six years. I hope he wants to join me."

Tulowitzki gets $750,000 in each of the next two seasons, $3.5 million in 2010, $5.5 million in 2011, $8.5 million in 2012 and $10 million in 2013. The Rockies have a $15 million option for 2014 with a $2 million buyout.

Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd was pleased to strike a deal with Tulowitzki, who hit .291 with 24 home runs and 99 RBI last season.

"We knew we've got a very special player here," O'Dowd said. "In my career, they come along very rare."

Tulowitzki has spent the offseason in California, working out while living with his parents. Asked if he pays them rent, Tulowitzki grinned and said, "I'm proud to say that it's my place. They're paying me rent." :laugh:

The fact the season didn't culminate in a World Series title is fueling Tulowitzki's drive.

"I took it hard," he said. "The fact we didn't win, that affected me for a while. If I was in the cage, or lifting, I used that as motivation."

Tulowitzki's life hasn't changed much since his breakout season. He can still go pretty much anywhere without being recognized, though he always seems to get noticed at 7-11.

"Someone might say something to me. But it's cool," he said. "I don't get as much attention as maybe (Todd) Helton and Holliday when I'm with those guys. They don't even know who I am. That's why I like being around Atkins, because nobody knows Garrett. I'm the guy when I'm around him." swoon, Garrett!

He's now the guy with a lot of money. Yet Tulowitzki said the big paycheck won't increase the pressure on him. He's always expected big things from himself.

"I go into the year saying I don't want to make one error," said Tulowitzki, who led all qualifying shortstops in fielding percentage last season by committing only 11 errors in 834 chances. "You've got to strive for perfection. That's how you become better. I want to hit 1.000, I want to make no errors, never strike out. Obviously, it's not going to happen. But if you strive for perfection, you're going to be a better player."

Although Tulowitzki finished a close second in the NL Rookie of the Year voting, two points behind Milwaukee third baseman Ryan Braun, he wasn't disappointed. Colorado's long postseason run meant more to him than awards.

"Braun had an excellent (season). His offensive numbers were unbelievable," Tulowitzki said. "But the Rockies made it farther than the Brewers. I'm sure he would've traded in his Rookie of the Year trophy to get into the playoffs."

Tulowitzki has always had confidence in his skills on the diamond. That's why he went into spring training last season believing he could win the shortstop job from Clint Barmes, which he eventually did.

"I didn't go in timid or scared," Tulowitzki said. "I had a goal in mind and I achieved that goal."

Yet his confidence wavered a little bit because of a slump in late April that dropped his average to .185.

He was benched for a game against the New York Mets, and the break helped. He began to find his rhythm at the plate, collecting at least one hit in 12 of his next 13 games.

"It wakes you up," he said of the slump. "As soon as I relaxed and played my game, and had fun out there, it really turned around."

Tulowitzki has grown close to Holliday, even crediting him with the fast start to his career. He's hoping Holliday stays around as long as he does.

"I pray that there's more years because he helped me so much last year to become a better baseball player and become a better person," Tulowitzki said. "I hope that he's around me for my whole career."

[Snapping Turtle]

I couldnt be happier about this! Yey Tulo!:elefant:

[Broncospsycho77]

Gotta keep the core. Blend the young with the old and those about to hit their peak.

[Snapping Turtle]

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b277/lijicons101/Randoms009.jpg



:cool:

[Kapaibro]

Atkins article (http://www.denverpost.com/sports/ci_8088724)

The ache of Garrett Atkins' slumps, both with a glove and a bat, was numbed by two words: low and short.

Atkins, known for his pulseless poise, was hitting .220 on May 27, his skid growing more perplexing with each swing. In the field, his range became limited. Anger mounted. This was going to be the year Atkins threatened to win his first batting title and established himself as one of baseball's most productive third basemen.

And now this?

"It bothered me. You find that you are thinking about it all the time away from the field," Atkins said from his living room. "I knew I was a better player than that."

Atkins, in many ways, mirrored the path of the Rockies, exorcising frustration, while earning redemption few thought possible. It centered on low and short. He regained traction defensively by lowering his stance, giving him a better read off the bat. Offensively, he shortened his swing, hitting .322 with 22 home runs and 92 RBIs from May 28 on.

"I started using my hands more. I covered the zone better and some of those line drives became home runs," Atkins said. "Defensively, I am 6-foot-3 and not terribly flexible, so sometimes I am not as low as I think I am. Once I improved my stance, it helped."

Rockies manager Clint Hurdle provided a specific example when asked about Atkins' defensive rebound.

"With Garrett, you take a tape of him playing defense the first three weeks of the season versus the last three weeks of the season. He could flat-out play third base. Right, left, hard, slow rollers, he made the plays. Same guy," Hurdle said.

The key was low and short. It was like one of his dry quips, this third baseman who reminds teammates of actor Larry David. When fans look at his statistics, they don't have to curb their enthusiasm.

For all the knocks he absorbs, Atkins is a proven run producer. His 231 RBIs over the past two seasons rank sixth in the National League, his .315 batting average eighth. And only Miguel Cabrera has more hits among big-league third basemen.
"His swing never changes. He's so consistent," shortstop Troy Tulowitzki said.

Added Matt Holliday: "Every year he's good for .300, 25 home runs and 100 RBIs. It's just a matter of how high he will go over those numbers."

Holliday's and Tulowitzki's praise goes beyond endorsement to friendship. Tulowitzki signed a long-term contract in part because of how well he gets along with Atkins. And Holliday repeatedly has pointed out Atkins' future will directly influence his own free-agent decision.

It begs the question: Why haven't the Rockies tried to lock up Atkins long-term? They proposed a deal after the 2006 season that would have covered Atkins' arbitration years, plus a club option for his first year of free agency. The option, in particular, was not to Atkins' liking. He rejected the contract, and explained why last week.

"I am extremely hopeful I can be here long-term. Obviously, I like the Denver area, otherwise I wouldn't have bought a house here. The city, the field, the guys on the team, all those things are appealing to me," Atkins said.

"The (Rockies) obviously made me an offer last year, but it was probably more in line with the (Jeff) Francis contract, and less in line with what they have done with (Aaron) Cook and Tulo. The owners seem to be more willing to pay more money this off-season and pay the fair market value."

That the Rockies have not revisited talks also is linked to the presence of Ian Stewart in the minor-league system. Regardless, Atkins stands to receive a huge raise in arbitration — he has submitted $4.65 million, the club $4.125 million. The amount will be decided during a mid-February hearing if an agreement isn't reached.

"Maybe I will speak my mind, say how great I am. That won't take more than 10, 15 minutes," Atkins said laughing. "It won't be a distraction to our team. Our expectations haven't changed. We believe in ourselves and want to keep the excitement going."

http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site36/2008/0126/20080126__20080127_B03_SP27BBNROCKIES~p1.JPG

[MOtorboat]

The 2008 projected lineup then:
C - Torrealba/Iannetta
1B - Helton
2B - Nix
SS - Tulo
3B - Atkins
LF - Holliday
CF - Taveras/Spillborghs
RF - Hawpe

Rotation
Francis
Cook
Jimenez
Morales
Hirsh/Redman

Should compete again...

[Snapping Turtle]

The Padres are close to signing a 2 year deal with Khalil Greene....dammit I hate him. :rolleyes:

[Kapaibro]

12 days til pitchers and catchers report!!!!!!!!

[BroncoAV06]

Can the Rockies repeat at National League champions in 2008, or will they fall back to their non-contending status? Tim Kurkjian made the cases for and against the reigning NL champs and he stops by Tuesday at 1 p.m. ET to talk about this and more.

The case for the Rockies

They were stunningly good down the stretch and through the first two rounds of the playoffs, winning 21 of 22 games during one stretch. That was no fluke.

During that stretch, they posted an ERA of 2.80. After finishing the first half of the season with an ERA 43 points above the league average, the Rockies led the league in ERA in the second half of the season, an amazing turnaround. And their pitching staff at least appears as if it should be better in '08. Jeff Francis (17 wins, tied for the most in a season ever by a Rockie) was terrific once he became the ace after Aaron Cook got injured. Now Cook is healthy. The Rockies have have Ubaldo Jimenez (''hardest throwing young pitcher we saw all year,'' one Dodger said) for the whole season, and they added veterans Josh Towers, Mark Redman and Kip Wells to compete with Franklin Morales (another hard thrower) for the fifth spot in the starting rotation. And maybe Greg Reynolds, their No. 1 selection in the 2006 draft, will be ready by late in 2008. Plus, Manny Corpas, who had 19 saves last year, will be the closer on Opening Day.

The Rockies have a dynamic offensive team (''they won't have an out in the lineup, one through eight,'' one scout said), led by left fielder Matt Holliday, who finished second in the NL MVP voting last season. Holliday, shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, third baseman Garrett Atkins and outfielder Brad Hawpe received multi-year contracts, another sign that this team plans on being together, and winning together, for a long time. But the biggest reason they can repeat is their defense, which set the NL record last year for the highest fielding percentage. It will miss second baseman Kaz Matsui, who signed with Houston, but it still has Tulowitzki, who was the best defensive shortstop in the league last year as a rookie.

The case against the Rockies

Seasons such as last year happen once in a lifetime. The Rockies were the fifth team ever to go from last place to the World Series, and the sixth team ever to go from nine games under .500 to the World Series. It was the first time in their history that they'd won more than 84 games in a season. Maybe 2007 was the start of something great, but they will miss Matsui's defense, and his speed at the top of the order. And is that rotation good enough to win again? The Diamondbacks, who finished in first place in the NL West last year, added Dan Haren to go along with Brandon Webb. If Randy Johnson makes a comeback, Arizona's rotation will be much better.

The verdict

The National League isn't very good right now, but it's also very hard to repeat these days. The Mets, with Johan Santana, are the best team in the league. The Rockies are a contender. They may not return to the World Series, but they're closer to getting there again than to falling back to the 75-win level.

Just ran across this, chat starts in a few mins, I will try and post most of it. ESPN.com in the MLB section.

Can not leave Wells out of that rotation, Reddman/Wells will most likely get spot starts with Kip proabably getting the majority. Still have to see how Morales and Jeminez respond to a whole season, shoulder/arm wise. Ubaldo added 15 pounds of muscle in the off-season so I think he will be good to go, just have to see how Morales handeled the off-season.

[BroncoAV06]

Tim Kurkjian: (1:08 PM ET ) I leave for spring training a week from today, and I can't wait.




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thomas (Ossining, NY): I feel that the rockies became weaker in the bullpen. Although the team is young, I think if the bulpen gets hit by injuries they could be out especially with the competition in the NL West

Tim Kurkjian: (1:10 PM ET ) There's no doubt, injuries to any part of their staff will put them in big trouble. They had an historic collapse of their bullpen when Brian Fuentes blew several saves in a row. I don't have the exact history, but the series of events had not happened in a long time. If that happens again, it will be difficult to recover from. But we can't forget how good that bullpen was down the stretch. If Manny Corpas is that good again, the Rockies' bullpen is in good shape.


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Andrew (Philadelphia, PA): Who would you say is the better team, the Rox or the Phils?

Tim Kurkjian: (1:12 PM ET ) That's a tough one, but I would take the Phillies because I think they turned the corner last year, as far as figuring out how to win. They have some real star power, and I think they've addressed some major issues by acquiring Brad Lidge and moving Brett Myers back to the rotation. I also think Pedro Feliz is an upgrade, especially defensively, at third. There are so many closely-bunched defending teams in the NL, including the Phillies and Rockies, but I'll take the Phillies because of the good moves they made in the offseason.


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Rob, Baltimore: Tim, it's hard to see their rotation performing as well, especially down the stretch. Do you see them bringing in a veteran FA to help sure up the rotation...maybe a Sele, Trachsel or Benson?

Tim Kurkjian: (1:13 PM ET ) I agree, it will be hard for them to pitch as well as they did the last month. But they have brought in veterans in this offseason to shore up the back end; be it Josh Towers, Mark Redman, or Kip Wells. They're going about it the right way, adding as much depth as they can, which is something they haven't had for the majority of their existence.


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Josh (Los Angeles, CA): Who is the frontrunner to replace Kaz at second base?

Tim Kurkjian: (1:15 PM ET ) There are several options at second. They have a kid named Jason Nix, they have Marcus Giles, Clint Barmes, and some others. People forget how well Matsui played for that team last year, but offensively and defensively. I think they'd be taking a minor step backwards, and it will be real interesting to see how well they fill in for Matsui.


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Chris, New York: I think they will content but will fall short of reaching the post-season, the NL has improved from last season, especially their division. I believe that they're about a 83-86 win team. Your thoughts?

Tim Kurkjian: (1:17 PM ET ) You may be exactly right. The Diamondbacks are better with the acquisition of Danny Haren, and the probable return of Randy Johnson. The Dodgers, I have to think, are going to get better with Joe Torre there. I can see the Rockies winning the division, but they could also finish in third. But 85 wins sounds about right to me.


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J. Milwaukee, WI: Outside of the Rockies hot streak, Matt Holliday and Tulowitzki, what really is there that is consistent enough to make them a real contender in the National League?

Tim Kurkjian: (1:19 PM ET ) I think Jeff Francis proved to be a well-above average starting pitcher, and the emergence of Ubaldo Jimenez gave them another power arm in the rotation, Again, Manny Corpas' work as a closer made that bullpen deeper. Let's not forget that Todd Helton., Atkins, and Brad Hawpe can all hit.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chad (MN): I keep hearing about this 3B prospect Ian Stewart and how he's just about ready. What does this do for Atkins. Atkins has been quite solid for the past few years. Is there a position change in the next year for one of them or do the Rox make a trade?

Tim Kurkjian: (1:21 PM ET ) There was a chance that Atkins would be traded in the offseason, because he is a good hitter and several teams were looking for third basemen, but it appears he's going to stay, and if he has a big year, Stewart certainly is going to have to wait another year. But if he falters in any way, maybe Stewart gets a shot to play everyday next year. It's a good problem to have a good hitter at third and a potentially good young backup.


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John McKenney (Albuquerque, NM): Tim - there seems to be this perception that pitching at the highest elevation in MLB seriously impacts the level of pitching, but outside of Mike Hampton and the current roster of young guns, the Rockies haven't seemed to have had high level pitching. What's your take on the Rockies ability to ever have a sustained elite pitching staff because of their geography?

Tim Kurkjian: (1:23 PM ET ) I don't think they'll ever have a sustained elite pitching staff because of the geography and the ballpark. Humidor or not, it is still the best hitter's park in America, and it is still harder to pitch in that elevation than anywhere else in the majors. That's what made the Rockies' second half pitching improvement so remarkable. The thought of being an elite staff for a while is an awful lot to ask at that elevation.


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Eddie (Denver): DE-FENSE! DE-FENSE! Just the fact that they are the best defensive team in baseball stengthens their chances or remaining strong. And they have to remain strong at defense too when they're playing half their games in a park the size of Yellowstone.

Tim Kurkjian: (1:24 PM ET ) I think they'll still be a good defensive team this year, but they won't be as good as last year without Matsui. He has made such progress defensively at that position from three years ago, and now he is very good on the double play. They may lead the league in fielding again, but I don't think they will be as good as last year.


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Gray (Chicago): After looking at Tulo's splits from 2007, I am curious to know which of the Rockies are solely products of Coors Field.

Tim Kurkjian: (1:26 PM ET ) In a way, they're all products of Coors Field. Matt Holliday would be a really good player no matter where he played, but he did slug almost 250 points higher at home than he did on the road. Tulowitzki's numbers were demonstrably better at home than on the road. But to say they are only good players because they played at Coors just isn't fair.


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Justin SD: Where does Scott Podsednik fit into the scheme of things in Colorado?

Tim Kurkjian: (1:30 PM ET ) If it's the Podsednik of a few years ago, then it will be a great addition to the Rockies, but we haven't seen that guy since the 2005 World Series. He's been injured several times, especially in his legs, and his speed is what he must have if he's going to be a good player. Chances are, if he makes the team, it'll just be as a fifth outfielder. I can't see him starting in center.


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Tim (Denver,CO): Has the gold glove become obsolete? How is it that the Rockies failed to recieve a single award after posting the best fielding % in baseball history?

Tim Kurkjian: (1:32 PM ET ) That's a good question. I've never truly followed the Gold Glove voting. I think managers and coaches sometimes do a good job, but sometimes they miss badly, or sometimes they just don't do their homework. Someone from the Rockies should have been a Gold Glover this year, and I think you can make the statistical case that Tulowitzki was the best shortstop in the NL.


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Kelton (Boise): What are one or two moves the Rockies could make to turn them into on of the elite teams of the NL?

Tim Kurkjian: (1:34 PM ET ) Like almost every other team, they need another frontline starting pitcher, but that pitcher was not available in free agency, and the two best available in trade (Santana and Bedard) have either been traded or are going to be traded. As much as the Rockies need a starting pitcher, being able to get one is another story.


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Randy (Albuquerque, NM): Tim...Brad Hawpe is a good ball player and has a cannon. He really struggled in the playoffs last year, and does strike out a lot. Any chance he becomes a star?

Tim Kurkjian: (1:35 PM ET ) He took a major step forward last year to becoming something real close to a star. Forget what you saw during the World Series and remember what you saw during the regular season...a 30-homer, 100-RBI guy who can really play right field. Now we'll see if he can do it two years in a row. My guess is, he can.


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Brett (Utah): How good is Ubaldo Jimenez going to be? He seems like he could end up like Ramon Ortiz, or he could blow up and end up like Pedro.

Tim Kurkjian: (1:37 PM ET ) I think it'll certainly be somewhere between Ortiz and Pedro. Pedro is a Hall of Famer. Jimenez will never be as good as Pedro. But I can tell you, a whole bunch of players and scouts talked about him last year in glowing terms. He just needs to throw more strikes, which often comes with maturity.

Tim Kurkjian: (1:37 PM ET ) Thanks everyone, I'll see you at a spring training park in Florida or Arizona in a few weeks!

[Kapaibro]

Pair signed to Minor League deals; club finalizes list of invitees
By Thomas Harding / MLB.com

DENVER -- Seeking depth and speed, the Rockies have signed outfielder Scott Podsednik -- leadoff man for the 2005 World Series champion White Sox -- and also inked veteran right-hander Victor Zambrano. Both have Minor League contracts with invitations to Major League camp.

In addition, the club released its full list of 22 non-roster invitees. It includes three recent top Draft picks: shortstop Chris Nelson (2004), right-handed pitcher Greg Reynolds (2006) and right-handed reliever Casey Weathers (2007). Of the 61 players who will be in camp, 41 were developed by the Rockies organization.

Podsednik, 31, had 40 or more steals each season from 2003 to 2006. But adductor and rib cage muscle injuries limited him to 62 games for the White Sox last season. He finished with a .243 batting average and .299 on-base percentage, and was 13-for-18 on steal attempts.

The spot Podsednik seeks would be a backup who can play center and hit leadoff on days Willy Taveras rests. But Podsednik is competing with Ryan Spilborghs, who performed solidly in 97 games (.299, 11 home runs, 51 RBIs) and Cory Sullivan, the 2006 starter in center who had his moments (.286, two homers, 14 RBIs) in 76 games. Spilborghs and Sullivan also are considered strong defensive outfielders.

Podsednik will make $700,000 if he makes the club and $13,000 a month in Triple-A.

"We were near the end of putting our roster together, and the Major League staff wanted to take a look at a guy that can run a little bit," Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd said. "We didn't guarantee anything."

Zambrano, 32, has made 187 career appearances (100 starts) in his career. In 2007, two seasons removed from Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgery, he went 0-3 with a 10.17 ERA in 13 games, including four starts, with the Blue Jays and Orioles. He also pitched in the Minors with the Blue Jays and the Pirates.

It will be the second Major League camp for Reynolds, who attended last season, and the first for Weathers and Nelson.

Nelson, 21, battled injury early in his career, but last season played in 133 games with Class A Modesto and hit .289 with 19 home runs and 99 RBIs, all career highs. Although the Rockies have Troy Tulowitzki (the top 2005 pick), who had a strong rookie year in 2007 and signed a six-year contract, Rockies assistant general manager Bill Geivett said Nelson will continue to develop as a shortstop.

"Shortstop is his best position, and we want to see him develop there some more," Geivett said. "Last year, he took some steps forward offensively and defensively and we'd like to see that continue.

"He's a good enough athlete to where if he got closer to the Majors and we wanted to move him, he could make the move. Our philosophy is to develop Major League players first, then worry about their position. I think you can run into trouble moving guys too early in their careers, because you never know what can happen."

Also invited are right-hander Brandon Hynick, the Class A California League 2007 pitcher of the year, and outfielder Dexter Fowler, chose to the all-prospect team after his performance in the Arizona Fall League.

[Snapping Turtle]

No chances for Barmes ever again....:pout:

[BroncoAV06]

With the talent and depth we are starting to get Barmes is going to have to work his butt off. I really hope that Zambrono does not get past Triple-A if he does and gets a roster spot and or spot in the rotation that is a bad sign. Most likely its just for a vetern to compete in camp and pitch in the Springs.

[Snapping Turtle]

With the talent and depth we are starting to get Barmes is going to have to work his butt off. I really hope that Zambrono does not get past Triple-A if he does and gets a roster spot and or spot in the rotation that is a bad sign. Most likely its just for a vetern to compete in camp and pitch in the Springs.

I really want Barmes to be a utility guy. He has great abilities in the infield and most people dont know that he is a quality outfielder as well.

[Broncospsycho77]

In addition, the club released its full list of 22 non-roster invitees. It includes three recent top Draft picks: shortstop Chris Nelson (2004), right-handed pitcher Greg Reynolds (2006) and right-handed reliever Casey Weathers (2007). Of the 61 players who will be in camp, 41 were developed by the Rockies organization.

Love that stat.

[Snapping Turtle]

7 days and 3 hours until pitchers and catchers report!!! :elefant:

[Rick]

DENVER -- The Rockies used some of baseball's youngest pitchers while nailing down a playoff berth and marching to a National League pennant last year. Now, right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez notes, the young rotation faces a challenge almost as big.
"In the playoffs, it was just a couple of games," Jimenez said. "Now I have to be here for a 162-game season. It's a challenge, but I'm ready for it."

The biggest challenge of Spring Training -- which starts with pitchers and catchers reporting to Hi Corbett Field in Tucson on Feb. 15, with the first official workout the next day -- will be preparing for a season in which three of the five starters have yet to face a wire-to-wire, uninjured season in the Majors.

Jimenez, 23, whose only previous experience was two games in 2006, went 4-4 with a 4.28 ERA in 15 games after being called up in July. He fashioned a 2.25 ERA in three postseason starts with the only loss coming in Game 2 of the World Series, a four-game sweep at the hands of the Red Sox.

Right-hander Jason Hirsh, who turns 26 on Feb. 20, was 5-7, with a 4.81 ERA in his rookie year. He was on an upsurge when he suffered a fractured fibula on Aug. 7.

Left-hander Franklin Morales, 22, made his Major League debut Aug. 18 but gave the team a lift by going 3-2 with a 3.43 ERA in eight regular-season starts. He was the least-experienced of the bunch, with just five Triple-A starts before his callup, and it showed during the playoffs (0-0, 9.90). His lack of seasoning is one reason the Rockies have veterans Mark Redman, Kip Wells, Josh Towers and Victor Zambrano in camp.

Still, if all goes as planned, this youthful trio will be a big part of the Rockies' defense of their first National League championship. The rotation is headed by two veterans, left-hander Jeff Francis, who had one of the best seasons in Rockies history in 2007 (17-9, 4.22), and right-hander Aaron Cook (8-7, 4.12), who had overcome a slump just before he suffered a oblique muscle injury on Aug. 10.

Francis and Cook will lead the rotation, but for the team to succeed, they must rely on the followers.

Don't try to tell them they're too young to be so important to the team's fortunes.

"I think the talent level is very high," Hirsh said. "Everybody here has got real high ceilings.

"I think the organization has enough trust in us that we can get the job done. Otherwise, they would have gone out and gotten bigger names. So I think that helps all of us in regards to our confidence and the confidence our coaching staff has in us to go out there and get us back to where we were last year."

To do so, all three must make forward steps.

Jimenez made a dramatic leap after his callup. Just five of his 19 starts at Triple-A Colorado Springs were "quality starts" (six or more innings, three or fewer runs). Counting the postseason, 10 of his 18 starts met the quality standard.

The key was staying in the strike zone better than he had in the Minors. He had 68 strikeouts to 37 walks with the Rockies in the regular season. At Colorado Springs, he finished with 89 strikeouts and 62 walks.

Jimenez said at the time he felt freed by concentrating only on winning games, rather than working on mechanics. He won by challenging hitters with his fastball, and his changeup was effective. He used his impressive curveball to make batters chase out of the strike zone, but he wants to do more with the pitch.

"I have to be able to throw it for a strike more when I fall behind in the count," Jimenez said. "I just need to trust it, to throw it for a strike whenever I want."

Hirsh, a key figure in the December 2006 trade that sent former Rockies No. 1 starter Jason Jennings to the Astros, is a cerebral fellow who impressed the Rockies with his attention to detail and preparation. However, it took a while for Hirsh to hear the Rockies' message to pitch off his fastball. The words got through while Hirsh was with Colorado Springs on a rehab assignment for an ankle injury.

"I talked to Jim Wright, who is our Minor League pitching coordinator, and he kind of gave me the other side of the story -- when I was in the Minor Leagues, how I was succeeding against them," Hirsh said. "It made me go back and re-evaluate my philosophies, from where I was at that point of the season to really rely on my fastball more than I had been previous to the injury."

It was just two starts. He held the Marlins to three runs in 5 1/3 innings of a Rockies victory but didn't figure in the decision. Then he was hit in the leg by a line drive in the first inning but lasted six and held the Brewers to three hits and three runs -- two earned -- and took the win in an 11-4 victory.

Morales had the most impressive stretch of the three, tying Denny Neagle's club record for starters by pitching 20 straight scoreless innings. He was better on the road (2-1, 2.05 ERA) than at home (1-1, 6.23), but it's hard to argue with any of his accomplishments, considering how far he had come.

Morales began the year at Double-A Tulsa 0-4 with a 4.05 ERA through his first 13 starts. But he was 3-0 with a 2.17 ERA in his final four starts before being called up to Triple-A. After three Triple-A starts during which he fanned 16 but also walked 13, the Rockies needed him.

The club will be open to keeping him in the bullpen should he not make the rotation, but Morales is looking at the main goal.

"I want to maintain my consistency and be 100 percent prepared for my outings," Morales said. "I really haven't been paying attention to who they've signed. The only thing I can do is pay attention to my pitching and be ready to do my best. It's up to the front office to see what happens."

[BroncoAV06]

Atkins back for 1 more year:

DENVER -- Third baseman Garrett Atkins and the Colorado Rockies agreed Monday to a one-year contract worth $4,387,500.

Atkins batted .301 with 25 homers and 111 RBIs last season for the NL champions.

Eligible for arbitration for the first time, he had asked for a raise from $400,000 to $4.65 million when arbitration figures were exchanged last month. Colorado offered $4,125,000.

Atkins can earn $92,500 in performance bonuses: $17,500 each for 600, 625 and 650 plate appearances, and $20,000 each for 675 and 700 plate appearances.

Colorado has two players remaining in arbitration, pitcher Brian Fuentes and outfielder Brad Hawpe.

Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press

[Cutler6MVP]

I am interested to see how good to Rockies will be this year. I still have minor doubts about them.

[Snapping Turtle]

Atkins back for 1 more year:

This is great news, Atkins is a key player and he doesn't seem to get as much credit as I think he deserves. I think we should have maybe wrapped him up for longer, but there is a chance that he will totally suck this season I suppose. :laugh:

[Rick]

Probably was the best they could do right now to keep him.

Might not be horrible actually. Gives a chance tyo see how good the minor league guys are before shelling out millions on a guy for a position we have great depth at.

I am glad they atleast got the 1 year done though, buys us time incase those guys are not as good as advertised.

[Denver Native (Carol)]

http://www.9news.com/sports/article.aspx?storyid=86184

Agent: Atkins hopes deal is stepping stone to long term deal

DENVER – The agent for Colorado Rockies third baseman Garrett Atkins says his client hopes his new contract is merely a step toward keeping the infielder in purple pinstripes long term.

On Monday, Atkins inked a one-year deal with the Rockies worth just short of $4.4 million. Atkins was eligible for arbitration for the first time in his career and asked for $4.6 million, a raise of about $4.2 million over his 2007 salary of $400,000.

Atkins and the Rockies were able to settle on the deal announced Monday, which includes more than $92,000 in potential performance bonuses which hinge on his reaching minimum plate-appearance requirements.

"Garrett is very pleased with the contract," said Jeff Blank, Atkins' agent, in an e-mail to 9NEWS. "Now he does not have to fly across country for an arbitration hearing three days after reporting to spring training and can instead focus on what should be an exciting 2008 season for the Rockies. Garrett hopes this is a stepping stone to a long term deal at some point."

Among active third basemen over the past two seasons, Atkins ranks second in hits (380) and third in RBI (231), ahead of New York Mets third baseman David Wright in both categories. Wright signed a six-year $55 million contract extension in August 2006.

Atkins batted .301 with 25 homers and 111 RBIs last season for the NL champions.

A deal between the club and right fielder Brad Hawpe was expected on Monday, according to coloradorockies.com. Terms of the potential deal were not immediately known, but was expected to be worth close to $4 million.

With deals in place with Atkins and presumably Hawpe, only three-time All-Star Brian Fuentes was left facing an arbitration hearing. The two sides were said to be far apart in negotiations, according to the team's official Web site. Fuentes asked for $6.5 million and the club offered $5.05 million.

[Snapping Turtle]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0z5TlRC3Zd0


Hope you all enjoy that. :laugh:

[slim]

This is great news, Atkins is a key player and he doesn't seem to get as much credit as I think he deserves. I think we should have maybe wrapped him up for longer, but there is a chance that he will totally suck this season I suppose. :laugh:

They do need to wrap him up long term....he is vastly underrated. I doubt he will start the season like he did last year (in a major slump). I think that was an aberration. He will hit .320 with 25 HR and 120 RBI. :beer:

[BroncoAV06]

Great artical on Little T and Hoffman about the final Brewers-Padres series which lead to the 1 game play-off. Did not know that there was so much history behind that one at bat!
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3243227&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab2pos1

[Snapping Turtle]

Pitchers and Catchers report TODAY! What a great day to be in Tucson...rockies

[slim]

Yay!!

I have a package arriving today (via UPS). A Helton jersey and a Rockies T-shirt. Perfect timing :D

[Snapping Turtle]

Yay!!

I have a package arriving today (via UPS). A Helton jersey and a Rockies T-shirt. Perfect timing :D


Sweeeetness!!! I really want a new jersey, my old one is now signed and framed ...so I need one to wear!!!:laugh:

[BroncoAV06]

Rockies avoid big bucks early, next year will be interesting with Hawpe and Atikin, at this rate it looks like we will lose one, going to have to generate a bunch of revenue this year, better start buying tickets, jerseys, hats etc..

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- An arbitration panel decided in favor of the Colorado Rockies on Friday, ruling reliever Brian Fuentes should be paid $5.05 million this year rather than his request for $6.5 million.



Arbitrators Robert Bailey, Dan Brent and Elliott Shriftman made the decision one day after listening to arguments. Fuentes made $3,525,000 last year, when he saved 20 games in helping Colorado win its first NL pennant.



Outfielder Brad Hawpe and the Rockies avoided a hearing when they agreed Thursday to a one-year contract worth $3,925,000. Eligible for arbitration for the first time, Hawpe had asked for a raise from $403,000 to $4.35 million. Colorado filed at $3,575,000.



Hawpe batted .291 last season with 29 homers and 116 RBIs. In addition to his salary, Hawpe can earn $100,000 in performance bonuses: $50,000 each for 600 and 675 plate appearances.


The Associated Press contributed to this report.

[Rick]

TUCSON, Ariz. -- To make his Major League tenure less daunting late last season, Rockies right-handed pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez invited his father to be his roommate in Denver.
It worked out great. Jimenez went 4-4 with a 4.28 ERA in 15 regular-season starts and was 0-1 with a 2.25 ERA in the postseason. During that time, dad would help Ubaldo Jr. unwind by playing music and going on shopping trips. They even made a trip to the mountains, although dad came down with a bug and came to regret it.

On the field, Jimenez did enough to convince the Rockies to enter him in the 2008 rotation as the No. 3 starter, behind Jeff Francis and Aaron Cook. Off the field, Jimenez is giving his family an even bigger role.

"I want my mom and my dad to come live with me," Jimenez said. "I also want my sister, when she's not in school [she is pursuing work in the medical field], to come. That'll be my sister, my brother-in-law and my nephew."

Taking a look at Jimenez, he may need all those folks around so there will be enough cooks to keep him nourished. He said he finished last season at 200 pounds but now is at 217, with noticeably more muscle.

One of the brightest pitching prospects to ever come through the organization, Jimenez, 23, would have been in the Majors sooner if not for a stress reaction in his shoulder that cost him almost all of the 2004 season. When he returned, the Rockies worked on a delivery flaw, a wrist hook while coming out of his windup, and closely monitored his workload.

Last season, though, Jimenez wound up pitching 201 innings, including 103 at Triple-A Colorado Springs before the promotion and 16 in the playoffs. But he never went beyond seven innings in the Majors. That's why he is thicker.

"I want more muscle in my body so I can last longer, deeper in the game," Jimenez said. "It's a long season. That was the thing I noticed that I needed to improve after last year."

Manager Clint Hurdle said Jimenez's bulk is a start, but the bigger tasks will take place on the mound.

"It's going to come down to making pitches and being efficient with his pitches," Hurdle said. "He's still a young man. His body is still going through some changes. He's still developing, but developing in a smart way."

Jimenez said he's not fully grown. He's 6-foot-4 and, he notes, still has "baby fat" that he hopes to replace with mature muscle.

The Jimenez family no doubt will be taking many shifts in the kitchen.



It's all on top of the head: Right-handed reliever Ramon Ramirez was the Rockies' 2006 rookie of the year, but last season he did two stints on the disabled list with elbow issues. He went 2-2 with an 8.31 ERA in 22 games with the Rockies, and 4-0 with a 2.28 ERA in 25 games at Colorado Springs.

So when a year goes bad, what's one to do?

Get a new hairstyle, of course.

When he isn't wearing his hat, it's easy to notice a few bright gold patches along the front hairline.

"I was in the Dominican, my wife told me, 'Do something different,'" Ramirez said. "So I did something different and it was good.

"I feel great to have another chance. The past is the past. This is a new year. I want it to happen this year."

On the Rox: Since 2003, right-hander Josh Towers has worn No. 7, and that's no different with the Rockies. It's rare a pitcher wears a single-digit number, although Towers has done so since joining the Blue Jays in 2003. "Third baseman, shortstop -- I'm just an infielder at heart," said Towers, the only pitcher currently in a spring camp wearing a single-digit number, even though there is no rule about numbers corresponding with positions. ... Most of the Rockies' position players have arrived in Tucson, even though they're not due until Friday. ... Right-handed reliever Zach McClellan, who missed most of last season with a shoulder injury, also has a slight knee injury. He threw from 90 feet on Monday.

[Denver Native (Carol)]

http://www.9news.com/sports/article.aspx?storyid=86828

Tulowitzki: From wide-eyed rookie to established star in 1 year


TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) - Troy Tulowitzki pulled up to Hi Corbett Field in a shiny black Maserati GranTurismo sports car, backed into his parking spot under the high desert palms and stepped out with a smile as big as the engine.

"A lot can change in a year," said the 23-year-old budding star who was tooling around in an SUV this time last spring training.

Back then, he was hoping to skip Triple-A altogether and break camp with the Colorado Rockies, but there was no guarantee he'd beat out Clint Barmes for the starting shortstop job.

Now, he's the marquee player on a young team that is coming off its first NL pennant, one fueled by his phenomenal performance in the field, at the plate and in the clubhouse. He became a respected leader among established veterans including Todd Helton and Matt Holliday despite having played barely a year in the minor leagues.

Tulowitzki led big league shortstops in fielding percentage last year, got to many more balls than anyone at his position and even turned an unassisted triple play, just the 13th in major league history.

He also set an NL rookie record for home runs by a shortstop (24) and batted .291 with 99 RBIs as the Rockies surged to their first World Series.

The crowds at Coors Field began a rhythmic chant for Tulowitzki, and Colorado set a big league record for fielding percentage.

"He made some plays that were jaw-dropping, eye-opening, take-your-breath-away," manager Clint Hurdle said Thursday. "He showed some leadership traits for a young player that I hadn't seen before on the field in the heat of battle. Some big swings of the bat late in games that you don't count on.

"But about two-thirds of the way through the season, nothing he did after that kind of surprised us. He threw a lot at us in a hurry."

His meteoric rise even took Tulowitzki by surprise.

"I think I came a long way in a year," Tulowitzki told The Associated Press. "Last year I came in just competing for a job. This year I come in and it's a whole different spring training for me."

Despite having one of the best years ever by a National League shortstop, Tulowitzki was edged by Milwaukee slugger Ryan Braun for Rookie of the Year honors, and Philadelphia's Jimmy Rollins won the NL Gold Glove.

Tulowitzki swears the snubs didn't sting.

He marveled at Braun, who edged him by two points in the balloting.

"You look at his offensive numbers, they were some of the best ever," Tulowitzki said. "I was satisfied with my year. I wasn't mad one bit that he got the award. It would have been nice to get recognized, yeah, but in the end, my team went to the World Series. I'm thinking he would have traded in the Rookie of the Year trophy for the Brewers to go to the World Series."

Tulowitzki figures to get plenty more chances to win a Gold Glove.

"If there's one award that I would really want in my career it would be the Gold Glove. I pride myself on defense, that's my specialty," Tulowitzki said. "I put a lot of time and work into it, so to get a Gold Glove would be really neat."

Tulowitzki didn't collect any offseason hardware but he did hit the jackpot.

His six-year, $31 million deal he signed last month is the highest-ever for a second-year player. He used a nice signing bonus along with his World Series share to purchase his $115,000 high-performance sports car, one he'd dreamed of owning since high school, when he drove a Honda Accord and his father's Ford Taurus.

"I'm really into cars," Tulowitzki said. "I was always looking online at cars and always saying if I ever ran into some money, this is what I would get. An old-school Camaro is one of them, a Maserati and a Cadillac Escalade were my three dream cars. And the next one to work on is a muscle car."

Not that he spent his whole winter behind the wheel of his spiffy new automobile.

Tulowitzki gave his running shoes a good workout, arriving at Hi Corbett Field last week 12 pounds lighter so that he could move into the No. 2 spot in the batting order following the free agent departure of Kaz Matsui.

"Hopefully, I can get some more range, or be a little quicker, steal some bases," said Tulowitzki, who now packs just 193 pounds on his 6-foot-3 frame. "My stealing bases is not going to come from pure speed. It's going to come from knowing the game and getting good jumps and picking up on little things."

Tulowitzki said he thinks he can also get to more groundballs now, even though his .987 fielding percentage last season was the best ever by a rookie shortstop.

"I don't know if I can imagine a better-fielding Tulowitzki," ace right-hander Aaron Cook said. "But if he felt like he couldn't get to some balls and he's going to get to them this year, I can't wait to see the plays he's going to make."

[Denver Native (Carol)]

http://www.9news.com/news/article.aspx?storyid=86885

New residents living in outfield at Coors Field

DENVER - The Colorado Rockies have three new outfielders stalking Coors Field while the team is in Arizona for spring training.

Three fake coyotes now sit in left, center, and right field.

The grounds crew director put them there less than a month ago to scare off geese.

Hundreds of geese were taking up residence on the field after the team put in new sod shortly after the World Series.

"I don't know whether they mistook the field for a lake or what. For a lot of the winter it was covered with snow so you didn't really see the grass," said Kevin Kahn, the vice president of ballpark operations.

Kahn says the geese didn't do any serious damage to the field, but did leave quite a mess behind.

So far, it looks like the coyotes are doing their jobs.

"We've seen flocks hover over and check it out and don't like what they see and move on," said Kahn.

[Broncospsycho77]

http://www.9news.com/news/article.aspx?storyid=86885

New residents living in outfield at Coors Field

DENVER - The Colorado Rockies have three new outfielders stalking Coors Field while the team is in Arizona for spring training.

Three fake coyotes now sit in left, center, and right field.

The grounds crew director put them there less than a month ago to scare off geese.

Hundreds of geese were taking up residence on the field after the team put in new sod shortly after the World Series.

"I don't know whether they mistook the field for a lake or what. For a lot of the winter it was covered with snow so you didn't really see the grass," said Kevin Kahn, the vice president of ballpark operations.

Kahn says the geese didn't do any serious damage to the field, but did leave quite a mess behind.

So far, it looks like the coyotes are doing their jobs.

"We've seen flocks hover over and check it out and don't like what they see and move on," said Kahn.

That's pretty friggin' awesome.

[Denver Native (Carol)]

http://www.9news.com/sports/article.aspx?storyid=87089

Rockies bring back Neifi Perez

DENVER – The Colorado Rockies confirm they have agreed to a minor league deal with slick-fielding infielder Neifi Perez.

Rockies Spokesman Jay Alves confirmed on Tuesday that Perez agreed to a one-year minor league deal and will report to the Rockies spring training complex for their minor-league camp. He is currently not on the Rockies' 40-man roster and would need to play his way onto the team.

Perez, who won a Gold Glove at shortstop with the Rockies in 2000, is looking for another chance to clean his image, which was soiled by a pair of drug suspensions for amphetamine use. Perez still has 18 days left on his second offense for violating Major League Baseball's substance abuse policy.

The 34-year-old Gold Glover had his best season with the Rockies in 2000 when he hit .287 with 10 homers, 71 RBI and appeared in all 162 games. Perez is a career .267 hitter and has spent the last seven seasons bouncing around with five teams, the Rockies, Kansas City Royals, San Francisco Giants, Chicago Cubs and Detroit Tigers.

Perez was signed by the Rockies as a teen out of the Dominican Republic and made his big league debut with the Rockies. During his first stint in purple pinstripes from 1996 to 2001, Perez hit .282 with 43 homers and 281 RBI.

Perez will compete for the utility infielder role vacated by the trade of Jamey Carroll to the Cleveland Indians. His chief competition appears to be Clint Barmes and Omar Quintanilla, should they fail to secure the everyday job at second base.

The Denver Post reports the contract is worth $750,000. They say Perez will earn $13,000 a month if he's sent to the minors, but could earn an additional $250,000 if he appears in 120 games for the Rox in '08.

[Rick]

I am all for a nice squad of glovers so i guess I won't say anything bad about it.

Just seems an overload at the position now though, luckily though both Giles and Perez wil only make the better cash if they actually make the club.

Competing at 2nd base/utility:

Jayson Nix
Omar Quintanilla
Ian Stewart
Jeff Baker
Clint Barmes
Marcus Giles
Neifi Perez


Damn.

[Snapping Turtle]

Baseball TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!! :elefant:

[Kapaibro]

2-0 to the Rox after 1 inning!

HR to TULO and a RBI to Atkins!

[Denver Native (Carol)]

Rockies back out on deal with Perez

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) - Neifi Perez's homecoming with the Colorado Rockies isn't going to happen.

Perez and the Rockies had agreed to a $750,000 minor league contract on Tuesday, a goodwill gesture that manager Clint Hurdle called a lifeline for one of the more popular players in club history who has hit hard times of late.

However, the team later had second thoughts and decided against bringing him back.

"We just didn't feel like it was a good fit," assistant general manager Bill Geivett said.

According to sources, the Rockies had hoped to add Perez as a coach, but Perez still wanted to play. The Rockies didn't want to get into a situation in which they were going to force Perez into retirement.

The first player suspended by baseball for stimulants since they were banned before the 2006 season, Perez has 18 games remaining on an 80-game suspension he received last season after testing positive for a third time.

The Rockies hope Perez can find a job with another team.

The Rockies have five players vying for their open second base job, and having Perez join the big league club for spot duty during spring training would have taken time away from Clint Barmes and Omar Quintanilla, the two candidates to replace Jamey Carroll as Colorado's utility infielder.

Perez won a Gold Glove at shortstop in 2000 with the Rockies but has bounced around the major leagues ever since, playing for the Royals, Giants, Cubs and Tigers.

Perez hit just .172 with one homer and six RBIs in 64 at-bats for the Tigers last season, and his biggest contribution was when he started a spectacular double play to end the eighth inning of Justin Verlander's no-hitter.

[Watchthemiddle]

What a beautiful sound I heard today.

The sound of Jeff Kingery and Jack Corrigan broadcasting a game on 850 Koa.

Its going to be a fun season.

Tulo leads off his cactus season with a homer.

[Denver Native (Carol)]

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/mar/03/rockies-set-lock-hawpe/


Rockies set to lock up Hawpe
By Tracy Ringolsby, Rocky Mountain News

Outfielder Brad Hawpe is poised to sign a three-year contract with the Rockies.

TUCSON - Add Brad Hawpe to the growing list of Rockies home-grown players planning to hang around Coors Field for a few more years.

Hawpe is set to sign a three-year contract with the Rockies that includes an option for his first year of potential free agency, becoming the fourth player this offseason, and fifth in the past two offseasons, to sign at least a three-year deal with the Rockies.

The deal is expected to be finalized Tuesday, once language on the option year is worked out, allowing Hawpe the right to void the option if he is traded. The deal will guarantee Hawpe nearly $18 million, and supersedes the one-year agreement he made last month to avoid arbitration.

Closer Manny Corpas agreed to a four-year contract earlier this spring. Pitcher Aaron Cook agreed to an extension that gives him four guaranteed seasons in December and shortstop Troy Tulowitzki signed a six-year contract in January. Prior to last season, left-handed pitcher Jeff Francis signed a four-year deal.

Left fielder Matt Holliday, who signed to a two-year deal in January, would be the most likely target for the Rockies next attempt at a long-term deal.

[AlWilsonizKING]

Anyone watching the MLB Classics on Fox Sports Rocky Mountian?

I just started (it's in the third) The Rock's are playing the Giants in '95, losing 8 - 2.

What's funny is hearing all the old names....."E.Y drives this one deep to the gap, and this one is gooone!!!"

*EDIT* It also funny to see how little Bonds is compared to now.....


hahahaha


PEACE!!!

[BOSSHOGG30]

Rockies signed outfielder Brad Hawpe to a three-year, $17.425 million contract with a club option for 2011.

The deal takes the place of the one-year, $3.925 million contract Hawpe agreed to last month and covers each of his arbitration years. The option season would buy out his first year of free agency and could make the deal worth about $28 million.

[Rick]

Awsome.

With Holiday, Atkins, taveras, Hawpe, Nix, Tulowitzki, Stewart, Baker, Koshansky, Smith we have a nice young nuculous for awhile.

But how to get them all on the field...


...good problem to have I would say.

[Rick]

TUCSON, Ariz. -- Over the past five years, Matt Kata has picked up plenty of experience filling a team's holes, from his rookie year as a regular with the celebrated Arizona "Baby 'Backs," to his subsequent years with the Phillies, Rangers, and Pirates, he's played all over the diamond and all over the baseball map.
With the Rockies' biggest spring hole gaping at second base, where the departed Kazuo Matsui thrived for them for a year and a half, Kata is seizing the opportunity to compete for a job in the Rockies infield -- either starting at second, his natural position, or playing the familiar utility role.

The Rockies have no shortage of candidates for the second base job, including homegrown players like Jeff Baker, Jayson Nix, Omar Quintanilla, Ian Stewart and Clint Barmes, along with Marcus Giles, signed as a free agent during the offseason, and Kata, who signed as a Minor League free agent in December. Kata faces no easy challenge in cracking that field.

"Especially coming off the year that the Rockies had," Kata agreed. "But I think something in the way that I approach the game and come to the yard every day fits right in with these guys. There's opportunity here, and that's why I chose to sign here. You just go out and do your thing and hopefully stick."

In his first career big league start, Kata singled and homered, propelling the Diamondbacks to victory and launching a 12-game winning streak that saw Kata hit .375 during the stretch, including a 5-for-5 day against the Rockies on the final day of the winning streak -- making an impression on the Rockies that still lingers five years later.

"He's been a thorn in our side with different uniforms, coming off the bench, hitting the ball well, he can play short in a pinch, third and second, play a little first," manager Clint Hurdle said on Wednesday. "He's a guy that we've had on our radar for a little while and we're glad to have him in camp. He's an offensive player from both sides of the plate, and he provides a nice little dimension that we need to look at."

His versatility on the field has certainly helped keep the 29-year-old Kata in the big leagues, despite that .375 initial tear quieting down to a career .242 average. Though he's reluctant to be labeled a "super-utility" player, he has played every infield position, has spent time in the outfield, and can catch. Like it or not, he embodies the "super" in super-utility.

"I think when you have every single glove, maybe that kicks in the super-utility," Kata said. "That year in '05, I was catching Russ Ortiz's bullpens, so I've got that third catcher option. No one likes to be labeled, and it's hard to shake that label, but at the same time, it's an opportunity to serve a role on a team and hopefully help a team get back to the World Series."

Kata has never had the extended stretch of regular playing time that he had in his rookie year, but the subsequent time serving in a bench role alongside the likes of Craig Counsell and Tony Clark has given him valuable experience at adapting to the day-to-day shift in his responsibilities and preparation.

"I still feel like if you throw me out there at second base, given a whole year, I can still do some good things like I showed over in Arizona," Kata said. "But the reality of it is, you make yourself versatile and there's going to be spots on teams for you. That's all you want is that opportunity, and then hopefully an opportunity to play ever day."

Kata's biggest adjustment may have been switching to the American League in '07, when he started the season with the Rangers before heading to the Pirates in June.

"In Texas, I had a great thing going there at first, platooning with Frank Catalanotto in left," he recalled. "It was a little unorthodox as far as a utility guy in the American League. I could have sat at the end of the bench a lot of games with my arms folded the whole day. There's not that mentally, physically getting ready for a pinch-hit, a double-switch, something like that. But once I got over in the National League, I think that mind-set, and that preparation really suits me and fits me."

His offense picked up with a return to the NL, hitting .250 for the Pirates, but he doesn't put too much stock in the familiarity of the league, or, for that matter, being back in the West.

"Any time there's familiarity, there's comfort," Kata said. "But the game is the game, and that's the real comfort, no matter where, if you're in China, Japan, or here in Tucson."

While in Tucson, Kata's focus is wide-ranging, trying to keep all his gloves worked in and ready for action.

"I'm trying to stay fresh at all the positions," he said. "Obviously I'm trying to continue the success I had last year with the bat, just really locking in at the plate, because if you do fall into that role where you're not getting everyday at-bats, you really want to have your swings locked in.

"So Spring Training's a time for me to really get a lot of early work, extra work, to find that swing and groove it. Once Opening Day starts in that role, your at bats are kind of limited, so you want to feel good at the plate.

As for feeling good with a new club, that's been the easy part.

"It's an easy group of guys to come in and fit in with," Kata said. "Everyone's on the same page, no one's above anyone. They're here for one reason, and that's to have fun and play the game the right way, and, obviously, like last year, win some ball games. It's an easy fit, really."

[Wallflower]

Jason Hirsh is my injured hero.

[Snapping Turtle]

Jason Hirsh is my injured hero.

Only kind injured. Hopefully he will be healthy for the regular season!!

[Wallflower]

Too true! His shoulder needs to stop malfunctioning.

[Timmy!]

Go Rocks!!

[Denver Native (Carol)]

The Rockies exhibition game against SF just started at 2:00 on Comcast Channel 26.

[Denver Native (Carol)]

Rockies exhibition game on today at 2:00 :elefant:

[Kapaibro]

Jason Hirsh is my injured hero.

Don't hate me cos I met him! ;)

[Kapaibro]

Rockies exhibition game on today at 2:00 :elefant:

Holli just scored a run, very cool play!

[Denver Native (Carol)]

Holli just scored a run, very cool play!

4th inning - Rockies :salute: 5 - Ariz :rolleyes: 1

[Rick]

Rockies - Brewers

Live FSN.

[Denver Native (Carol)]

Rockies - Brewers

Live FSN.

You beat me to it. :laugh: Not sure who the announcers are with George, unless they are the radio announcers.

[Kapaibro]

Rockies - Brewers

Live FSN.

Rox 4 in the top of the first!

[Requiem / The Dagda]

Go Tulo!!!!

[CoachChaz]

Wanna see a sophomore slump? Pay attention to Tulo this year.

[Rick]

Wanna see a sophomore slump? Pay attention to Tulo this year.

I realize it is just spring training but...

you talking about the guy hitting .341 with 4 homers this spring?

[Kapaibro]

Wanna see a sophomore slump? Pay attention to Tulo this year.

A slump for Tulo would still make him one of the best SS in the game. :rolleyes:

[Snapping Turtle]

Wanna see a sophomore slump? Pay attention to Tulo this year.

You can't be serious. Anyone who has payed any attention to Troy this spring and watched him last season knows that won't be the case. If anything he will slump for about a week, then Hurdle will put Barmes or someone similar in at short for a couple games like what happened last season. That lit a fire under Tulo's butt and he turned it around.

[MOtorboat]

Coach isn't kidding...he knows his baseball...

[Rick]

Damn our catcher rotation is looking great this year.

[Snapping Turtle]

Coach isn't kidding...he knows his baseball...

Hmm, I don't doubt that...but I know baseball too and I don't agree with him. :coffee:

[MOtorboat]

Hmm, I don't doubt that...but I know baseball too and I don't agree with him. :coffee:

I wouldn't base what is going on in Spring Training as to what will happen this year. I think Tulo is going to have a big year, but when someone like Coach says he thinks he might go through a bit of a sophomore slump, I'm going to listen.

[Rick]

There are a ton of people out there that know baseball and everyone of them probably said the Rockies would not make the playoffs last year then said they would not make the series...

The "experts" are often wrong leading me to say I will wait and see what happens.

[Snapping Turtle]

I wouldn't base what is going on in Spring Training as to what will happen this year. I think Tulo is going to have a big year, but when someone like Coach says he thinks he might go through a bit of a sophomore slump, I'm going to listen.

Ok great for you.

[MOtorboat]

Ok great for you.

No need to get snippy.

[Snapping Turtle]

No need to get snippy.

Well, it seems to me like the only opinion you take as valid is that of Coach, which is fine...but I'm not going to waste my energy talking to you about baseball if thats how its going to be.

[MOtorboat]

Well, it seems to me like the only opinion you take as valid is that of Coach, which is fine...but I'm not going to waste my energy talking to you about baseball if thats how its going to be.

Good lord...read what I wrote...I think Tulo is going to have a big year. I disagree with Coach, it just raises my eyebrow a little when he says that...it's not meant insult anyone.

I took Tulo at short on two of my three fantasy teams for Pete's sake...and the only reason I didn't take him on the third is because I had the opportunity to take Jose Reyes.

[Requiem / The Dagda]

I know more about baseball than all ya'll and Tulo is going to hit .400 this year with 30 jacks and 125+ RBI.

<3

[MOtorboat]

The second base competition has apparently been finished.


BAD NEWS FOR GILES: NIX LOOKS LIKE THE ONE (11:10 a.m. ET)
The Rockies have informed veteran Marcus Giles he will not make the club, leaving Jayson Nix as their likely starter at second base.

According to reports, Colorado is attempting to trade Giles to the Dodgers. According to The Denver Post, Giles would prefer a trade rather than a Triple-A assignment.

The Rockies have given no official word on Nix's status.

"He has been gaining momentum from the start," manager Clint Hurdle said, according to The Post. "Defensively he's got a lot of confidence."

[MOtorboat]

Wells out of the rotation competition


IT'S A NO-GO FOR WELLS (8:59 p.m. ET)
Scratch Kip Wells from the list of possible contenders for the final spot in Colorado's rotation.

He's headed to the bullpen after Rockies manager Clint Hurdle decided Wells would be a better fit in a relief role. The right-hander went four innings Sunday, giving up two runs in Colorado's 8-2 win over Los Angeles.

"We wanted to give him an opportunity to start," Hurdle said. "The reality of it is, we thought he was versatile enough to fit a couple of different ways."

With Wells out of the picture, Franklin Morales, Mark Redman and Josh Towers are the finalists for the final two spots in the rotation.

"I felt for the most part under control, and aggressive," Wells said. "I was just trying to be aggressive down in the zone."
-- The Associated Press

[Snapping Turtle]

Good lord...read what I wrote...I think Tulo is going to have a big year. I disagree with Coach, it just raises my eyebrow a little when he says that...it's not meant insult anyone.

I took Tulo at short on two of my three fantasy teams for Pete's sake...and the only reason I didn't take him on the third is because I had the opportunity to take Jose Reyes.

I read what you said before I replied the first time...and I'm perfectly happy for you that you think that what Coach says is an opinion to be respected...I just thought you came off arrogant and it pissed me off.

[MOtorboat]

I read what you said before I replied the first time...and I'm perfectly happy for you that you think that what Coach says is an opinion to be respected...I just thought you came off arrogant and it pissed me off.

Your initial post wasn't the most pleasant thing ever, either.

[MOtorboat]

I don't know if it's Insider or not, but the Baseball Today podcast discusses Tulowitzki today...it's on ESPN's MLB home page.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/index?lpos=globalnav&lid=gn_MLB_MLB

[Snapping Turtle]

Your initial post wasn't the most pleasant thing ever, either.

I wrote it, of course it was pleasant. :coffee:

[Rick]

Kinda surprises me about Giles.

He is a solid vet and has a good spring hitting .321.

Must just be we are not only impressed with Nix but with Quintanilla, Baker, Barnes, Stewart and Co making Giles just not needed.

[BOSSHOGG30]

Rockies need to trade Chris Iannetta to the Red Sox.

[slim]

Rockies need to trade Chris Iannetta to the Red Sox.

You mean for Clay B? Done.

[slim]

Your initial post wasn't the most pleasant thing ever, either.

MB, Coach is a Rockie hater. Tulo will not slump this year....I would stake Coach's virginity on it.

[MOtorboat]

MB, Coach is a Rockie hater. Tulo will not slump this year....I would stake Coach's virginity on it.

Um, OK...

[slim]

Um, OK...

I can't wait for opening day. Man, I am freaking pumped.

I'm glad Nix won the 2nd base job...but I am a little worried about the inconsistency of the starting pitchers this spring.

[MOtorboat]

I can't wait for opening day. Man, I am freaking pumped.

I'm glad Nix won the 2nd base job...but I am a little worried about the inconsistency of the starting pitchers this spring.

Nothing like being a homer!

[Snapping Turtle]

I can't wait for opening day. Man, I am freaking pumped.

I'm glad Nix won the 2nd base job...but I am a little worried about the inconsistency of the starting pitchers this spring.

I'm so excited too!!! I wish Hirsh wasn't injured...I don't like him starting the season on the DL. :(

[slim]

Nothing like being a homer!

Yep, I am a homer. You gotta problem with that?

[slim]

I'm so excited too!!! I wish Hirsh wasn't injured...I don't like him starting the season on the DL. :(

Yeah, I would feel better with Hirsh and Morales in the 4/5 spots. But, he will be back soon enough.

[MOtorboat]

Yep, I am a homer. You gotta problem with that?

I hope Colorado does the same thing they did last year....reality says they don't. Reality says Tulo doesn't do as well as he did last year, but that would draw some serious criticism around here...

[slim]

I hope Colorado does the same thing they did last year....reality says they don't. Reality says Tulo doesn't do as well as he did last year, but that would draw some serious criticism around here...

I don't think they will do as well as a team....but I think Tulo is the real deal. Tulo will be fine.

[MOtorboat]

I don't think they will do as well as a team....but I think Tulo is the real deal. Tulo will be fine.

Tulo is the real deal, he's also young. I hope he takes a huge step forward, he probably won't. But, I think he can do no wrong, because I don't want to draw any criticism.

[Kapaibro]

Tulo doesn't have to improve on last year.

Even if he has a year exact;ly like he had last season it will still be one of the best seasons for a SS.

[CoachChaz]

In reality...I only said that about Tulo for the pure reason of starting a little fire. Seriously...I could literally come into this thread and witness a discussion on why Jeff Francis is the greatest lefty to ever play the game. Way too many "jaded homers" here to have a serious discussion concerning the Rockies.

However, I will say this. Anyone that thinks they can easily repeat what they did last year, needs to stay away from the paint thinner. I don't think a more classic example of witnessing the alignment of the baseball stars could be written. So may things had to go perfect for that impressive run...it just won't happen again.

[CoachChaz]

Take Tulo out of Colorado and I'd be interested to see what he has.

2007 stats
Home....326/15/60
Away....256/9/39

[Rick]

I think a cpl of the Rockies pitchers are some of the better pitchers in the league but certainly not the best, and I do believe that a few other pitchers on the team have the makings of being some of the better pitchers in the league but I do not believe they are there yet.

What helps these guys is the fact that the Rockies DO HAVE the best defense in the league. Certainly helps out the pitching staff.

Personally my current feelings is that the pitching needs to get a bit more consistant before to long or we will not make the playoffs this year, but i believe it will as the season goes on.

Possibly we Rockies fans feel the need to over homerize because almost any time someone NOT a Rockies fan brings them up every thing good that the team has done is only due to luck or the park. WE can't say good things about are team without being criticised so maybe we return the favor some when all we hear is the same.

[MOtorboat]

I think a cpl of the Rockies pitchers are some of the better pitchers in the league but certainly not the best, and I do believe that a few other pitchers on the team have the makings of being some of the better pitchers in the league but I do not believe they are there yet.

What helps these guys is the fact that the Rockies DO HAVE the best defense in the league. Certainly helps out the pitching staff.

Personally my current feelings is that the pitching needs to get a bit more consistant before to long or we will not make the playoffs this year, but i believe it will as the season goes on.

Possibly we Rockies fans feel the need to over homerize because almost any time someone NOT a Rockies fan brings them up every thing good that the team has done is only due to luck or the park. WE can't say good things about are team without being criticised so maybe we return the favor some when all we hear is the same.

The Rockies finally figured out you have to grow your own pitchers instead of trying to sign big names. Francis is a stud. I would not say the same about Aaron Cook or Hirsh. Jimenez and Moralez have a lot of potential, Jimenez more so than Moralez, imo. I don't see Moralez being much more than Jorge De La Rosa in Kansas City (and with Milwaukee before that). All the stuff in the world, but can't locate.

[CoachChaz]

I think a cpl of the Rockies pitchers are some of the better pitchers in the league but certainly not the best, and I do believe that a few other pitchers on the team have the makings of being some of the better pitchers in the league but I do not believe they are there yet.

What helps these guys is the fact that the Rockies DO HAVE the best defense in the league. Certainly helps out the pitching staff.

Personally my current feelings is that the pitching needs to get a bit more consistant before to long or we will not make the playoffs this year, but i believe it will as the season goes on.

Possibly we Rockies fans feel the need to over homerize because almost any time someone NOT a Rockies fan brings them up every thing good that the team has done is only due to luck or the park. WE can't say good things about are team without being criticised so maybe we return the favor some when all we hear is the same.

Well, if you look at the splits for the Rockies players, some of them drastically benefit from playing there. Players will almost always have better numbers at home, but when the power numbers double and the average is 100 points higher...you can't convince me that keeping the balls in a humidor works completely.

The other compelling number is opponents numbers whenthey play in Colorado. Look at sluggers in the NL West...Adrian Gonzalez, Jeff Kent, etc. and many of them typically have better numbers at Coors field than anywhere else. It's just the nature of the beast.

[CoachChaz]

Hard to argue with Francis, as his win % increases and ERA decreases every year...but the rest of the staff...?

[Rick]

The same should be looked at then when talking about the Pitchers.

Francis for example had a better ERA while at home. Jimenez who has been inconsistent throught the spring so far had just a 3.81 ERA at home in his 9 starts last year. Our young closer Corpas had a 1.96 ERA last year at home.

I agree that Coors is a hitters park but we still have people that can play.

[CoachChaz]

The same should be looked at then when talking about the Pitchers.

Francis for example had a better ERA while at home. Jimenez who has been inconsistent throught the spring so far had just a 3.81 ERA at home in his 9 starts last year. Our young closer Corpas had a 1.96 ERA last year at home.

I agree that Coors is a hitters park but we still have people that can play.

There is no doubt that Colorado is stacked with young studs. Great hitting and a very good defense. Pitching will still always be the question. After Francis, I don't have too much faith in the rest of the rotation.

[MOtorboat]

Francis and Jimenez are clearly the two with the most potential. Francis has steadily gotten better every year. Now Jimenez needs to do the same thing. Morales is just so fidgity on the mound. He needs to calm down and just pitch. Cook is just an innings eater, imo, and Hirsh is about the same, though not as good. At least Redman isn't in the rotation anymore...of course he might be if Morales doesn't have any control.

[CoachChaz]

Personally, I think they could do better than Apodaca as the pitching coach and that could help things alot. Unfortunately...him and Hurdle are good buddies, so there's no chance of him going anywhere anytime soon. Some good things have happened since he's been there, but nothing to make me think he's a great pitching coach.

[Snapping Turtle]

The bull pen will probably continue to be weak this season...the only person who has really shown well this spring is Buchholz...he's good but you can't rely on just one pitcher. Fuentes is turning into a joke...but Corpas has done a good job as closer. I'll be surprised if Herges carries the good pitching from last season over to this one.

Pitching is for sure our weakest area...no doubt about that and I wouldn't say that any of our pitchers are the best in league...well except for Francis and the Brian Fuentes of the past, but he has just lost it. Corpas has the potential to turn heads...but besides that we have an average to below average pitching staff. Hurdle thinks we can do it all with the bats and defense.

[MOtorboat]

The bull pen will probably continue to be weak this season...the only person who has really shown well this spring is Buchholz...he's good but you can't rely on just one pitcher. Fuentes is turning into a joke...but Corpas has done a good job as closer. I'll be surprised if Herges carries the good pitching from last season over to this one.

Pitching is for sure our weakest area...no doubt about that and I wouldn't say that any of our pitchers are the best in league...well except for Francis and the Brian Fuentes of the past, but he has just lost it. Corpas has the potential to turn heads...but besides that we have an average to below average pitching staff. Hurdle thinks we can do it all with the bats and defense.

If the starters can really eat innings, like the White Sox have done the last three years, the poor bullpen could turn out to be OK, because all they'd have to deal with is Fuentes, Buchholz and Corpas. Problem is, I don't think Jimenez, Morales and Hirsh can consistently go seven innings.

[Rick]

Morales starts today.

live FSN 2 PM.

Another good opportunity to watch him.

[CoachChaz]

The bull pen will probably continue to be weak this season...the only person who has really shown well this spring is Buchholz...he's good but you can't rely on just one pitcher. Fuentes is turning into a joke...but Corpas has done a good job as closer. I'll be surprised if Herges carries the good pitching from last season over to this one.

Pitching is for sure our weakest area...no doubt about that and I wouldn't say that any of our pitchers are the best in league...well except for Francis and the Brian Fuentes of the past, but he has just lost it. Corpas has the potential to turn heads...but besides that we have an average to below average pitching staff. Hurdle thinks we can do it all with the bats and defense.

Ask the Rangers how well the formula works for having a tough line-up and no pitching. They/ve been doing it for years

[Snapping Turtle]

If the starters can really eat innings, like the White Sox have done the last three years, the poor bullpen could turn out to be OK, because all they'd have to deal with is Fuentes, Buchholz and Corpas. Problem is, I don't think Jimenez, Morales and Hirsh can consistently go seven innings.

Yeah definitely not...Morales could maybe make it through 7 if he was lucky. Jimenez will be able to in the future, but he is still a little bit lost in the big leagues, but I have confidence that he will figure it out. Hirsh....he as talent to pitch in the big league level, and to be lights out at that, but he gets injured too much. Pisses me off. lol.


Buchy is gonna be our long relief guy I'm pretty sure. He helped us out a lot last season coming in and starting a few games, he didn't do too hot but he isn't comfortable as a starter. Fuentes....I have no faith in him anymore.

[Rick]

Wellllll, Morales WAS playing great through the first 4...

...now comes the 5th and he has gone to hell.

[Snapping Turtle]

Wellllll, Morales WAS playing great through the first 4...

...now comes the 5th and he has gone to hell.

Yeah...not to hot right now.


And what the hell was Brad doing on that play? :coffee:

[Snapping Turtle]

HERE (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/tom_verducci/03/25/tulowitzki0331/index.html)

is a great article for all you Tulowitzki fans and Rockies homers. Enjoy!!

[CoachChaz]

Part of me wishes Tulo played a season or two for a team other than Colorado. That's when the real Tulo will show up. For his own benefit, he'd better sign a lifetime contract with the Rox, bcause while his glove is great, his bat is nowhere near what it is when he's a mile up.

[Denver Native (Carol)]

HERE (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/tom_verducci/03/25/tulowitzki0331/index.html)

is a great article for all you Tulowitzki fans and Rockies homers. Enjoy!!

And on the cover of SI - Clink on following link to see SI cover

http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_8705215


Rockies' Tulowitzki on SI cover
By The Denver Post
Article Last Updated: 03/26/2008 02:26:30 PM MDT

The cover of this week's Sports Illustrated, featuring Colorado's Troy Tulowitzki. (Courtesy of SI)

Rockies' shortstop Troy Tulowitzki is one of six young stars on the cover of the upcoming issue of Sports Illustrated.

Tulowitzki is featured in a story titled "The Rockies' Lucky No. 7," which argues the major league draft class of 2005 is a standout.

Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd is quoted in the story as saying Tulowitzki's drafting was a "franchise-changing" moment.

Tulowitzki finished as runner-up in last season's National League rookie of the year voting.

The magazine also picked the Rockies to win the NL West division, then defeat the New York Mets in an NL Division Series. SI's prediction has the Rockies losing to the Chicago Cubs in the NL Championship. Their World Series outlook has the Detroit Tigers beating the Cubs for the title.

[Snapping Turtle]

Snap is so happy right now! I'm nearly crying tears of joy!! :laugh:


The moves mean Clint Barmes and Jeff Baker have earned utility jobs.


LINK. (http://colorado.rockies.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080326&content_id=2460829&vkey=spt2008news&fext=.jsp&c_id=col)


I suppose I'm happy with Redman too. :P

[slim]

Part of me wishes Tulo played a season or two for a team other than Colorado. That's when the real Tulo will show up. For his own benefit, he'd better sign a lifetime contract with the Rox, bcause while his glove is great, his bat is nowhere near what it is when he's a mile up.

You're wrong, Coach. There are many players that have better stats at home, that's just the nature of the beast. Coors field isn't what it used to be.

[Snapping Turtle]

You're wrong, Coach. There are many players that have better stats at home, that's just the nature of the beast. Coors field isn't what it used to be.

I saw on Sports Science that its proven the humidor does NOTHING to the baseballs. And yea...everyone hits better at home (in general). :D But it would be interesting to see if Troy would have won ROY if he had played for a more media-friendly club.

[slim]

I'm watching a replay of the the CO v. AZ game that was played today. Jeff Francis is dealing (it's the 5th inning right now).

[Snapping Turtle]

I'm watching a replay of the the CO v. AZ game that was played today. Jeff Francis is dealing (it's the 5th inning right now).

It doesnt end well. :tsk:

[MOtorboat]

I saw on Sports Science that its proven the humidor does NOTHING to the baseballs. And yea...everyone hits better at home (in general). :D But it would be interesting to see if Troy would have won ROY if he had played for a more media-friendly club.

Not with the disparity that the Rockies do.

Ryan Braun, who plays in Milwaukee, a less media-friendly town than even Denver, won the award, so, I'm sorry, but that argument doesn't really hold a lot of water. If it was a Met that won it, or Florida, or Atlanta, I would agree with you.

[CoachChaz]

You're wrong, Coach. There are many players that have better stats at home, that's just the nature of the beast. Coors field isn't what it used to be.

I won't deny that most players have better numbers at home, but Tulo benefits from it more than most. Just look at his splits. He hit like 100 points higher at home with almost twice the homers and RBI.

Coors field was still #3 when it cam to Park Factor in 2007...in 2006, they were #2...in 2004 and 2005, they were #1...in 2003, they were #4...in 2002 they were #1 and 2001 they were #2.

Please don't try to convince me that a humidor makes a bit of a difference. It's just an extremely hitter friendly place to play and always will be.

[Snapping Turtle]

Not with the disparity that the Rockies do.

Ryan Braun, who plays in Milwaukee, a less media-friendly town than even Denver, won the award, so, I'm sorry, but that argument doesn't really hold a lot of water. If it was a Met that won it, or Florida, or Atlanta, I would agree with you.

Well...if we are going to get into the "media friendly" thing....it has nothing to do with that when it comes down to it. It has a lot more to do with the timezone the teams are playing on. East coast media won't be staying up to watch the Rockies, or most of the Western teams for that matter, especially when they are playing teams who are on PST.

[CoachChaz]

Well...if we are going to get into the "media friendly" thing....it has nothing to do with that when it comes down to it. It has a lot more to do with the timezone the teams are playing on. East coast media won't be staying up to watch the Rockies, or most of the Western teams for that matter, especially when they are playing teams who are on PST.

Which does nothing to explain the reason why LA had 5 straight winners in the 90's and 4 straight in the early 80's, Colorado had Jennings win it in '02, Seattle had 2 in 2000 and 2001, Oakland had 3 in a row in the late 80's and another 3 since then.

The only people that buy the media hype are those on the West Coast or small markets.

[Snapping Turtle]

Which does nothing to explain the reason why LA had 5 straight winners in the 90's and 4 straight in the early 80's, Colorado had Jennings win it in '02, Seattle had 2 in 2000 and 2001, Oakland had 3 in a row in the late 80's and another 3 since then.

The only people that buy the media hype are those on the West Coast or small markets.

Ok gotcha.

[CoachChaz]

Ok gotcha.

Not trying to sound condescending...just wanted to point out that the bias isn't what it's played out to be.

[MOtorboat]

Not trying to sound condescending...just wanted to point out that the bias isn't what it's played out to be.

Angel Berroa won it 2003...now if that wasn't a media mistake...:rolleyes:

[CoachChaz]

Angel Berroa won it 2003...now if that wasn't a media mistake...:rolleyes:

Well, hindsight is always 20/20, but Matsui and Teixiera are the only ones that are any better today.

[MOtorboat]

Well, hindsight is always 20/20, but Matsui and Teixiera are the only ones that are any better today.

imo...30-year old Japanese players shouldn't get the award...they haven't yet...but I don't think they should. In hindsight, Teixiera would have been a better choice, and I wish they would have chosen him. Berroa got complacent, and sucked ass for the next two years. In 2003, he seriously looked like the cornerstone for the next 10 years.

[CoachChaz]

imo...30-year old Japanese players shouldn't get the award...they haven't yet...but I don't think they should. In hindsight, Teixiera would have been a better choice, and I wish they would have chosen him. Berroa got complacent, and sucked ass for the next two years. In 2003, he seriously looked like the cornerstone for the next 10 years.

Yeah, I've seen some writers predict Fukudome for the NL ROY this year, but I don't see it happening, and rightfully so.

Berroa's season was probably statistically better than Tex's, but I think it was obvious to everyone, that Tex would eventually have the better statistical career. I just pray to the Gods of baseball that he still deceides that he wants to play for his favorite team next year

[Snapping Turtle]

Looks like Hirsh's injury is more serious than anyone thought it was. I'm not surprised, a little upset, but not surprised. Hirsh has the ability to be a good pitcher for us but this is his 3rd injury since he's been with us. He had the twisted ankle, and then he broke his leg (that was one of the coolest injuries ever IMO), and now his shoulder is messed up. According to this (http://colorado.rockies.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080327&content_id=2462328&vkey=spt2008news&fext=.jsp&c_id=col) article, it is similar to the injury that Torrealba had, which basically means its going to take him awhile to get back to his old form.

I wonder who we are going to get for Ramirez...and we still have yet to know who we got for Jamey Carroll. I'm praying for some pitching.

[MOtorboat]

Looks like Hirsh's injury is more serious than anyone thought it was. I'm not surprised, a little upset, but not surprised. Hirsh has the ability to be a good pitcher for us but this is his 3rd injury since he's been with us. He had the twisted ankle, and then he broke his leg (that was one of the coolest injuries ever IMO), and now his shoulder is messed up. According to this (http://colorado.rockies.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080327&content_id=2462328&vkey=spt2008news&fext=.jsp&c_id=col) article, it is similar to the injury that Torrealba had, which basically means its going to take him awhile to get back to his old form.

I wonder who we are going to get for Ramirez...and we still have yet to know who we got for Jamey Carroll. I'm praying for some pitching.

The Rockies can take Brett Tomko :elefant:

[CoachChaz]

The Rockies can take Brett Tomko :elefant:

Why would KC give up their Ace?