While the future remains uncertain for starters Byung-Hyun Kim and Josh Fogg, the Rockies’ organizational meetings provided clarity on Jeremy Affeldt’s role. Regardless of whether Kim and Fogg return, Colorado plans to use Affeldt exclusively as a reliever next season.
“That’s something that came out clearly during our discussions. We want him to stay in the bullpen,” general manager Dan O’Dowd said Tuesday. “The less he has to worry about and can focus on, the better. We want to get him on a run and build on that for next year.”
Affeldt has grown comfortable in the bullpen and said repeatedly that he wanted to start only if the organization was committed to giving him a prolonged opportunity, not spot assignments.
“I have always said that I will take on whatever they want me to take on,” Affeldt said Tuesday. “If they want me in the bullpen instead of the rotation, then that’s what I’m going to do.”
Since joining the Rockies, he has been terrific or horrific. Armed with a 95 mph fastball and a solid curveball, he posted a 1.86 ERA in his first nine appearances for Colorado, but heading into Tuesday he had been scored upon in eight of his past 14 outings as his command wavered.
WHAT ABOUT CRAWFORD?: Several baseball executives have said they expect the Devil Rays to dangle outfielder Carl Crawford in attempt to land a front-line pitcher. The Rockies, Dodgers and Angels were among the most interested teams over the summer before being told he was not available. O’Dowd said Tuesday that he would not trade one of his top three starters – Jason Jennings, Jeff Francis and Aaron Cook – for a position player.
