Denver Post sports writer Troy E. Renck posts his Rockies Mailbag every other week on Tuesdays during the 2005 Major League Baseball season. The next installment is slated for Sept. 20.
To drop a Rockies or Major League Baseball question into the Mailbag or visit DenverPost.com’s .
Hey, Troy. What about Cory Sullivan in center field? What are the Rockies plans for him? Thanks.
— Dave, Littleton
Dave – Two weeks ago, Sullivan was a long shot to make the Rockies’ roster next season. Manager Clint Hurdle told Sullivan that his offensive numbers were unacceptable. Sullivan hasn’t hit on the road and struggled mightily with off-speed pitches. Sullivan took the criticism seriously and has played much better. He enjoyed a career game in Sunday’s win, which included four hits and two outstanding defensive plays.
In an ideal world, Sullivan would be a reserve outfielder, providing speed and defense in late innings and occasional starts.
As it stands, the Rockies don’t have an every day center fielder. Larry Bigbie, Choo Freeman and Sullivan are in the mix, though Freeman has barely sniffed the lineup since getting called up, never a good sign for a prospect on his last legs with an organization.
Bigbie returns today and will get some at-bats. He has been bothered by injuries. He has proven a solid defender, but hasn’t shown much power.
Hey, Troy. My thoughts on ’06. Feel free to respond. Danny Ardoin and Todd Greene are fine as a platoon at catcher. We need a center fielder (who has a decent glove and can hit .280 with 20-25 HRs) and a No. 1 starter. Then you have Jason Jennings, Aaron Cook, Jeff Francis and Byung-Hyun Kim at Nos. 2-5. I would add a $2 million-range setup man on top of that, and I think the Rockies could very easily compete for the NL West title next season. Break it down for me, Troy.
— Wil, Denver
Wil – The notion that the Rockies can compete for the NL West title is gaining momentum in many circles. I would preach caution, however, if only because it’s unlikely the division will be this bad again. A healthy Eric Gagne and Barry Bonds will immediately provide credulity and victories next season. That said, the Rockies’ goal should be to reach .500 in 2006, while playing games that matter in September.
As for catcher, a combination of Ardoin and Greene makes sense on the surface. Ardoin is quickly becoming the best defensive catcher in Rockies history, and Greene provides plenty of thump. Though Greene has been a calming influence and a tutor for pitchers, his inability to stay healthy the past two years makes his return a long shot.
Ardoin has been impressive, but the only way he makes sense as the every day guy is if power is acquired for center field. Looking at the center-field market, it might be easier to land a Rod Barajas, Jason LaRue or Yorvit Torrealba type.
Milton Bradley fits the profile of the center fielder you described. The team won’t pursue him because of his on- and off-field drama. That leaves a generally thin free-agent class behind Johnny Damon. If the A’s decline Jay Payton’s option, he’s a possibility. With each passing day, it’s more likely that Oakland will keep him.
Addressing the bullpen is reasonable. I would be shocked if Mike DeJean doesn’t re-sign, and the team will take a run at bringing back Oakland reliever Jay Witasick and free agent Dan Miceli.
Finding a No. 1 starter won’t happen on the Rockies’ budget. They need that person to come from within. They may not possess a true ace, but any successful year will be the result of Aaron Cook, Jason Jennings and Jeff Francis turning in career seasons.
I love hearing about the top prospects and how they are progressing. Why hasn’t Judd Songster, a relief pitcher for the Tulsa Drillers and a prospect we drafted from Pueblo, received any publicity? He’s probably the Drillers’ MVP this season. He has the best ERA (2.19) in the organization and Texas League. He has four-plus pitches that he can throw for strikes. And he has given up just one earned run in the last 24-plus innings. Shouldn’t this fine pitcher be getting noticed and possibly called up to the majors in September?
— Bart Ruttan, Tulsa, Okla.
Bart – Judd has obviously turned in a solid season. His path is blocked by organizational depth. Ryan Speier was in Songster’s position a year ago – earning minor-league fireman of the year honors without a call-up. Right now, there’s no place for Songster in the Rockies’ bullpen. Speier returned from Colorado Springs, and Marcos Carvajal is occupying a spot, even though he has barely pitched over the past three weeks because of ineffectiveness and injuries.
There’s also something to be said about getting some altitude training. It never hurts a prospect to get a feel for his pitches in Colorado Springs before trying to get big league hitters out in Denver. With the addition of two relievers in the Shawn Chacon trade, Songster needs to continue his minor-league excellence to warrant a look.
That said, it’s very rare that a deserving Rockies pitcher isn’t given a chance, given the organization’s annual attrition.
What do you think is going to happen with Ryan Shealy? Will he be traded this offseason, or do you think the Rockies will keep him for insurance? He sure seems like a big-time major league hitter.
— John Jones, Colorado Springs
John – I spoke with Ryan on Monday night as he was preparing to board a flight with Ryan Speier and Larry Bigbie to San Diego. Shealy had a terrific Triple-A season, showing better power and softer hands defensively than expected. He also excelled in his two big-league cameos. To his credit, Shealy understands his situation. He’s a Rockie now, but in essence, this year has served as an audition for other teams.
“Ever since I got into that organization, it’s always been about Todd Helton. That’s how it should be. He’s the guy,” Shealy said. “I set a goal that I wanted to get in the big leagues at some point this season; to already get up there two times, it was gravy for me.”
I would expect Shealy to be shopped this winter as the Rockies attempt to add bullpen depth. Boston had interest at one time, though their relationship with the Rockies is fractured over the botched Kelly Shoppach deal. Shealy definitely looks the part of a big leaguer.
Mike DeJean seems to have proven to be an outstanding setup man for Brian Fuentes these past couple months. I know DeJean is a free agent at the end of 2005. Any chance he will back with the Rockies in 2006? Anyone else you see in the bullpen in ’06 besides Brian Fuentes?
— Jim, Lake Tschida, N.D.
Jim – As I wrote earlier, I would be stunned if DeJean isn’t back. His price will be reasonable – a little above $1 million – and he is a favorite of Todd Helton. Helton has lobbied for DeJean’s return as much as any player since he’s been here. So assuming DeJean returns, here’s a look at the 2006 bullpen: Brian Fuentes, Mike DeJean, David Cortes, Scott Dohmann and Jose Acevedo. Left-hander Randy Williams has worked himself into the picture for next year, and I expect the Rockies to go hard after Giants left-hander Scott Eyre and a veteran setup man like Dan Miceli or Jay Witasick.
Will Jason Jennings be dealt next season after he proves he’s healthy? He will be making $4.4 million, and I assume that is too rich for Charlie Monfort’s blood.
— Newman, Aurora
Newman – Jennings’ price tag, for the first time in his Rockies career, makes him vulnerable, particularly if he struggles. Many teams froth at the idea of Jennings pitching at sea level, a theory that gained strength with Shawn Chacon’s performance for the Yankees. The Red Sox, Padres and Giants, who offered Merkin Valdez and Yorvit Torrealba for Jennings before he was hurt, all have coveted the right-hander.
If Jennings pitches well next season, the Rockies will be criticized for moving him. They don’t come more homegrown.
What did you think of the Shawn Chacon trade? Was it a preventive salary dump? Also, could you translate Clint Hurdle’s Jeff Baker quote about there being “merit” involved. Seems like Rockies management works overtime to break players’ spirits (Chacon and Baker, to name two).
— Dave, Centennial
Dave – The Shawn Chacon trade was a long time coming. I never like it when an organization gives up on a homegrown prospect, particularly when finances play a large role – that’s what happened with shortstop Juan Uribe, for example. If one of the minor leaguer relievers turns out to be a contributor, the trade will make some sense. The key to the Chacon deal is Zach Day. If he wins 10 games next season – ambitious given his injuries and record this season – he becomes a cheaper version of Chacon. If Day fizzles, the trade looks lopsided.
One thing worth noting, however, was Chacon’s need for a fresh start. I got to know “Chac” well the past two years. He is very competitive and loves to be doubted. I was on record saying it was a mistake to move him to closer in 2004. If that hadn’t happened, who knows if Chacon would still be here?
As Chac and I talked at length about, pitchers never leave Colorado and get worse. Sometimes a change in environment, particularly going to a winning team, can recharge a player. I saw it last year with Larry Walker, and it is playing out with Chacon in New York.
Regarding Baker and the “merit” quote from Hurdle – that implies directly to the prospect’s inability to stay healthy. The Rockies don’t think he played enough this season to warrant a call-up, particularly when his primary position is clogged by Garrett Atkins and Luis Gonzalez.
Which player do you think will develop into the Rockies’ leadoff hitter? For the past several seasons I have not seen any of the roster players showing enough patience at this position. Why has neither the batting coach nor the manager been able to solve this problem?
— Rich Perlman, Denver
Rich – That is an excellent question. The Rockies’ on-base percentage from the leadoff spot ranks near the bottom in the National League. Manager Clint Hurdle believes that Clint Barmes can solve the problem. He has some power and speed, though he doesn’t walk much. For Barmes to work from the top of the order, he will have to be a little more patient.
“I have hit there my whole minor league career so I am definitely comfortable there,” Barmes told me late last week.
At one point, the organization viewed Triple-a prospect Jeff Salazar as a potential solution – he hit two homers in Monday’s final Triple-A game. Salazar didn’t make necessary strides with the Sky Sox and remains a work in progress.
Denver Post sports writer Troy E. Renck is in his 10th season of covering the Colorado Rockies, his fourth for The Denver Post. To drop a question into his Mailbag or visit DenverPost.com’s .
