Denver Post sports writer Troy E. Renck posted his Rockies Mailbag every other week on Tuesdays during the 2005 Major League Baseball season. This installment is the season finale. Thanks to everyone who submitted a question this season.
Is Garrett Atkins a lock to start at third base next season?
— Neal, Lakewood
Neal, I would consider Atkins a yellow-and-blue-make-green, Ziploc certainty to start at third next season. Two reasons: Atkins has delivered more quality at-bats this year than any Rockie, including Todd Helton, and his defense, in of the season’s biggest surprises, has been satisfactory.
What’s more, Ian Stewart, who everyone believes is the organization’s next superstar, suffered through a difficult minor league season, slowing his path to the big leagues ever so slightly.
Atkins, as I have said repeatedly, can hit. He was hitting his mobiles to the opposite side of the crib with his bottle, I am convinced. If he develops more power 20 home runs, 45 doubles the Rockies will have some tough choices to make about his future. If nothing else, he has moved ahead of Jeff Baker, a brilliant athlete who can’t avoid bizarre injuries.
Do you think Omar Quintanilla has a shot at playing shortstop or second base with the Rockies next season?
— Liz Sanchez, El Paso, Texas
Liz, I gather by your hometown that you are a Quintanilla fan. Omar speaks highly of El Paso. In fact, his description of his family gathered around a computer to watch his major league debut was one of the season’s cooler moments.
Regarding your question, Quintanilla, as it stands today, is viewed as a utility man, with the possibility that he could push Luis Gonzalez for the second base job next spring. He still has work to do offensively, and there’s no shame in that since he basically skipped Triple-A. However, defensively, he stabilized the infield during the final month of Clint Barmes’ absence.
He’s a polished shortstop, impressing scouts with his aggressiveness and willingness to make every play. Because of Barmes’ power potential, I do not see Quintanilla as a threat to his spot. Again, Omar’s playing time will likely come as a reserve, similar to how Luis Gonzalez was used this season before taking over the second base job from Aaron Miles.
Chipper Jones was out much of the season with injuries. Andruw Jones still managed to hit 50 home runs. I think Andruw is the National League MVP. Thoughts? Thanks.
— R.C., Denver
R.C. – What’s a guy in Denver following the NL MVP race in Hot-lanta so closely for? Wait, I forgot. TBS. Andruw Jones has had a terrific season, finally realizing the potential many predicted after he clubbed home runs in the 1996 World Series before he was old enough to drink.
There are three legitimate candidates in Albert Pujols, Derrek Lee and Andruw Jones. Working in Pujols’ favor is the Cardinals’ naked lineup, as odd as that sounds. While nobody is going to confuse St. Louis with the Pirates, the Cards have been without Larry Walker, Scott Rolen and Reggie Sanders for long stretches. Pujols has put up terrific numbers and would have a couple of MVPs by now if not for Barry Bonds. That may sway some voters.
Lee has been ridiculously good for an underachieving team. And he plays Gold Glove defense. Which brings us to Andruw Jones. While he’s an easier out than either Pujols or Lee the Braves’ star still chases plenty of pitches out of the zone Jones is a modern-day Willie Mays in center field. When Chipper went out, Andruw popped some Doan’s pills and carried the Braves on his back. His offensive stats coupled with his glove at a premium position make him the favorite with a fistful of games remaining.
Troy – With all the talk of the Rockies needing a center fielder and catcher, what about a shortstop? Rafael Furcal would make more sense to me than a CF. Furcal and Clint Barmes up the middle would be HUGE for this team and our pitchers.
— Cris Roth, Galveston, Texas
Cris, I like your suggestion. When the Braves came through town a couple of years ago, I remember writing about how that lineup with Furcal and Marcus Giles showing power and speed at the top would mesh nicely with Coors Field. There is no way, however, that the Rockies will consider a multi-year deal for Furcal given their other holes. Plus, Furcal is another DUI away from doing some real jail time, making his signing a dicey proposition for a team that has preached character relentlessly for two years.
It’s too early to consider moving Barmes to second base, though that may be his position of the future given the potential of top pick Troy Tulowitski.
Everything points to Furcal ending up with the Cubs, with Nomar Garciaparra possibly landing a one-year deal elsewhere – like Florida.
Great Mailbag, Troy! I’ve been a true Rockies fan since the first time my father took me to Coors Field. Back then when we had The Big Cat, Dante, Vinny, E.Y., Ellis Burks, Walt Weiss and Larry Walker. It was a different atmosphere at the park. It was always close to being sold out, and the fans were excited and had hope of maybe winning. Do you think that same excitement could ever be brought back by this ownership that always seems to make up excuses for saving money? Thanks for your time!
— Rob Knight, Sweden
Rob, that’s hardcore – following the Rockies from Sweden. Thanks to Al Gore for inventing the Internet, eh?
To your question, much of the criticism about the Rockies in recent years has centered on ownership, with fans upset about its short pockets. Here’s the deal as I see it: The Monforts overextended themselves dramatically when they signed Mike Hampton, Denny Neagle, Larry Walker and Todd Helton to those mammoth contracts.
They tried to buy an NL West title with money they didn’t have, believing that a great team would captivate the community and pay for itself with increased attendance and stadium revenue. That backfired. So they are making a run the old-fashioned way by building a team from within.
Follow with me. Any team can go young. Going young and getting good is the hard part. The Rockies have transitioned from awful to mediocre since the all-star break. Breaking that next barrier to becoming a contender, in some ways, is even tougher because the team would have to play with pressure. It’s much easier to go out and string together upsets in September when there’s nothing on the line.
That said, the progress of the youth movement has been encouraging. If it continues, the Monforts will be applauded for reinventing a team that is more affordable and enjoyable to watch. If by this time next year, the Rockies are charging toward a 100 losses, then it will be interesting to see how much of a stomach the owners have for sticking around.
Hey, Troy. What is different about writing during the playoffs?
— C. Ashton, Denver
C. Ashton – The playoffs provide electricity that is tangible. You drive to the ballpark and everyone on talk radio is discussing the game, the importance of pitching matchups, the effect of shadows on hitters. There’s no limit to the details that are analyzed. Arrive at the game, and fans are there are in droves, faces painted, scorecards ready.
It is very reminiscent to when I covered the Broncos and CU football earlier in my career.
The playoffs are a blast to cover because the quality is better and every pitch matters. I love dissecting a certain 2-1 pitch and how it impacted a game and turned a series. To this day, one of the coolest things I have ever covered was the 2003 ALCS between the Red Sox and Yankees. Remember: That included Pedro Martinez throwing Don Zimmer to the ground, Karim Garcia going Jerry Springer on a Red Sox groundskeeper, and Aaron “Bleepin” Boone hitting a walkoff home run. I have never heard a crowd louder than Yankee Stadium when Boone’s ball cleared the left-field fence.
I went to school with Jim Miller and saw him pitch last month in Tulsa. He was throwing in the 94 to 98 mph range on the radar guns. Does he have a chance to move up next year?
— Jeff Taluc, Fort Myers, Fla.
Jeff – Miller continues to grow on the Rockies and is very much in their plans. Don’t be surprised if he starts with a prominent role in Triple-A Colorado Springs next year. Given the attrition of Colorado relievers, I would be surprised if Miller doesn’t make his debut sometime next season.
To drop a Rockies or Major League Baseball question into the Mailbag or visit DenverPost.com’s .
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 .
