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

The first big piece of new manager Bud Black’s Rockies administration fell into place Wednesday.

The club announced that Mike Redmond, a former catcher who then managed the Miami Marlins from 2013-15, will be the Rockies’ next bench coach.

Redmond, 45, is clearly someone Black has been interested in for a while. Before landing a job as the Marlins manager in 2013, Redmond interviewed to be the San Diego Padres’ bullpen coach when Black was managing the Padres.

“I’ve known Buddy Black for a quite a while and I’m really excited for this chance to work with him,” Redmond said. “I think this is a good fit, him being a former pitcher and me being a former catcher. It feels like a perfect situation.”

rest - http://www.denverpost.com/2016/11/16...s-bench-coach/

The Colorado Rockies have agreed to a five-year, $70 million deal with free agent outfielder Ian Desmond, according to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports. The deal is pending a physical.

Desmond hit .285 with 22 home runs and 21 stolen bases last year for Texas. Rosenthal reports Desmond, who played primarily centerfield for the Rangers after playing exclusively at shortstop for the Nationals for seven years, will play in the outfield and at first base in Colorado.

ESPN’s Jim Bowden reports the deal includes an option for a sixth year that would raise the overall value of the contract to $83 million.

rest - http://www.si.com/mlb/2016/12/07/col...gency-contract

Wow - didn't see the Ian Desmond deal coming. Didn't even know he was on our radars.

He was my keeper league shortstop for a couple years so I'm relatively familiar with his game... He is a dual threat speed/power guy whose glove failed him at ss so they moved him to the OF last year and he exceeded expectations in Texas.

My only issue with the guy is that he is prone to long cold spells and strikes out too much. He's kind of streaky hitter - but can absolutely crush for sustained periods where he's hitting bombs and stealing bases.

I like that he's tough and reliable and plays everyday. Should be a nice addition.

So is Desmond going to be our primary 1st baseman?

Originally Posted by chazoe60

So is Desmond going to be our primary 1st baseman?

I kind of doubt it. His infield glove is questionable and he is a righty - I think he'll see time there but I'd be surprised if he was our everyday 1B. I think we will move one of the other outfielders to acquire a 1B - too many guys with Blackmon, Cargo, Desmond, Parra and Dahl.

Originally Posted by chazoe60

So is Desmond going to be our primary 1st baseman?

Gonzalez or Dahl might convert. Or more moves are out there (as in a trade for either Blackman or Gonzalez).

Also, I love this move.

Troy Renck ‏@TroyRenck 48m

Can confirm from major league sources that #Rockies signed Ian Desmond to be their primary 1b. @DenverChannel

Originally Posted by Denver Native (Carol)

Troy Renck ‏@TroyRenck 48m

Can confirm from major league sources that #Rockies signed Ian Desmond to be their primary 1b. @DenverChannel

Wow - that's surprising. Maybe they decided that the majority of his errors at SS were throwing errors but he still has the range to field the position. I just remember him racking up an inordinate amount of errors at shortstop to the point that it was really hindering his production.

Seems like an odd guy to convert to first. He has some speed.

Originally Posted by MOtorboat

Seems like an odd guy to convert to first. He has some speed.

I agree - he's right handed, he has speed, and he has had trouble as an infielder in the past. All of which seem to make him an odd choice to be an everyday 1B. But I suppose that the logic is regardless of that he'll be an upgrade over the platoon we threw out there last year.

Desmond is a shortstop by trade, but over the past couple of years, he has evolved into more of a utility player who can play both outfield and infield positions. The two-time All-Star (2012, 2016) slashed .285/.335/.446 with 22 home runs and 86 RBI for the Rangers in 2016.

http://bsndenver.com/colorado-rockie...ay-first-base/

So here is a contrarian viewpoint, from a commenter on Hardballtalk:

They are committing to his age 32-36 seasons, he’ll be about a league average hitter at the start of the deal and will likely decline at some point, they are giving away a lot of his value by sticking him at 1B…and they are giving him $70M while forfeiting the 11th overall pick.

Da fuq?

Originally Posted by Buff

So here is a contrarian viewpoint, from a commenter on Hardballtalk:

Typical Rockies move.

Interesting that it seems to be Blackmon that they're trying to move in the OF...