San Diego – Here’s what is new about the Rockies: a middle infield combo of Luis Gonzalez and Clint Barmes, Todd Helton’s return to stardom and road trips that no longer seem as if Chevy Chase is at the wheel of the team bus.
Here are old issues that need to be addressed: a center fielder with power (top three candidates Cory Sullivan, Larry Bigbie and Choo Freeman haven’t homered since Preston Wilson was traded), the addition of veteran relievers (perhaps a reunion of Mike DeJean and Jay Witasick) and the catching position.
Two things are certain after a 4-2 defeat Wednesday to San Diego that secured the Rockies’ fifth consecutive losing season and seventh in eight years: Danny Ardoin will be back, and JD Closser needs more seasoning than even Emeril’s creole provides.
General manager Dan O’Dowd confirmed Ardoin’s return Wednesday. The question is, in what capacity?
On a night when Ardoin erased a baserunner to squash a rally and Closser airmailed a throw into center field, gift-wrapping a run, the Rockies were discussing what to prioritize at the position.
They prefer an offensive tilt for a team that by O’Dowd’s admission needs to score at least 150 more runs next season. The ideal free agent was on display Wednesday in San Diego’s Ramon Hernandez. He’s a perfect fit. His contract – which could land from $15 million to $20 million – um, not so much.
That’s why the Rockies are taking inventory of the Los Angeles Angels’ Bengie Molina, who is enjoying a career year that could inflate his price; Texas’ Rod Barajas, Seattle’s Yorvit Torrealba and Cincinnati’s Jason LaRue. The latter three aren’t free agents.
Value becomes critical for a franchise that, despite growing perception to the contrary, is built to contend in 2007 more than next season. The Rockies don’t want to overspend on a one-year contract for a layover player. As such, they could eschew an offensive force and emphasize defense for Ardoin to complement.
“There are a lot of things we are discussing,” O’Dowd said. “We have to see how things play out (in the offseason).”
Ardoin has given them something to think about, given the impact of his skill set. He doesn’t hit a lot – .227 average with three homers in 163 at-bats – but his glove has gone a long way in helping developing a young staff.
When Ardoin starts, the Rockies are 22-27 with a 4.69 ERA. By comparison, Closser and Todd Greene, unlikely to return because of injuries, are a combined 33-55 with a 5.43 ERA.
“Without a doubt, there’s some anxiousness that I want to show I can be the No. 1 guy,” Ardoin said. “But whatever role they decide, I believe I can be an asset.”
As Wednesday’s starter, Jeff Francis couldn’t finish. Lacking command, the rookie exited after 14 outs, walking in the eventual winning run.
Adam Eaton returned the Padres to .500, a victory punctuated by Trevor Hoffman’s 36th save as San Diego braces for Barry Bonds’ return to the second-place San Francisco Giants.
“That’s definitely something that’s been talked about in our clubhouse,” Hoffman admitted. “Whether we are 15 over .500 or one over, the bottom line is that we are in a race.”
Troy E. Renck can be reached at 303-820-5447 or trenck@denverpost.com.
