Denver Post sports writer Troy E. Renck posted his Rockies Mailbag every other week on Fridays during the 2006 Major League Baseball season. This installment is the season finale. Thanks to everyone who submitted questions this year!
To drop a Major League Baseball or Rockies question into the Rockies Mailbag or visit DenverPost.com’s .
Troy – What effect, if any, do you think Colorado’s significantly improved pitching this past season – coupled with the thought that this is a good young team on the rise, plus all the publicity of the “mysterious” humidor – will have on the interest level of free-agent pitchers (not necessarily “big name” hurlers, but good solid “under the radar” pros and emerging prospects, too) in coming to Colorado?
— Bob Stephens, Casper
Bob – If the field had continued to play as it did the first five months, Coors Light Field could have eventually lured some more pitchers, though never a premier free agent. The Rockies would still have to overpay for that at a time when they are still feeling the financial sting of the Mike Hampton and Denny Neagle signings.
To your point, they could eventually be in the hunt for “under the radar” pros, but it will continue to take a few more years of data or more money before an agent recommends that his client go to Coors.
People should not forget that out of every active major leaguer, Todd Helton leads in a lot of career numbers: best average out of everyone, best slugging percentage and best on-base percentage. He will go down as one of the best first basemen in baseball history. HE WILL BE BACK.
— Matt Klein, Brookfield, Ill.
Matt – Todd is certainly determined to regain his elite status, planning a rigorous offseason workout routine in hopes of regaining his strength. While I am not sure Helton will ever hit more than 35 home runs again, he could still be a major force if he can reach 80 extra-base hits. The good news is that Helton looked more like his old self over the season’s final two months, driving the ball with more authority. At this point, if he hit 25 home runs with 110 RBIs and a .320 average, that would qualify as a strong comeback.
Troy: Are the Rockies planning on keeping Jeff Huson in the booth?
— Ed, Pueblo
Ed – Indications are that Huson will continue playing a role in the broadcasts. The original plan last September was to hire Jerry Dipoto, who would have handled half of the games. Dipoto, however, turned it down, landing a front-office spot with Arizona. Huson has been eased in, while doing plenty of postgame work. Jeff definitely knows the game. I wouldn’t mind if he were more opinionated, but again, I think that about most TV broadcasts since so many have become so vanilla for fear of alienating players, owners or sponsors.
With the news coming out that Joe Girardi will be fired after what seems to be a manager-of-the-year campaign, any possibility that the Rockies will fire Clint Hurdle and bring this ex-Rockie back into the fold? Girardi is a great manager, has championship experience and won’t put up with not playing the game right. It seems like a perfect fit.
— Greg, Denver
Greg – There are no discussions along those lines. In fact, owner Dick Monfort provided a vote of confidence earlier this month for both GM Dan O’Dowd and Hurdle, who will enter the final season of their contracts next season. Girardi won’t return in Florida, likely being replaced by Fredi Gonzalez.
There will be no shortage of interest in Girardi. Multiple sources have told me that Washington will pursue Girardi, and everyone knows that the Cubs will at least consider him given Girardi’s ties to the area (he went to Northwestern).
Girardi did a terrific job with a young team, but he’s going to have to learn to deal with office politics better to survive. Other crystal-ball predictions: Bob Brenly lands in San Francisco, and Bob Boone ends up in D.C. if Girardi doesn’t.
Troy: This may seem like a simple question, but as a baseball fan, I really am not sure of the answer. What does a first-base coach do? It doesn’t seem like that important of a position on the coaching staff. Do they do things that fans are unaware of or don’t notice? Thanks.
— Thomas Fioriglio, Levittown, N.Y.
Thomas – The first-base coach’s most important jobs, in my estimation, are reading pickoff moves and tendencies of pitchers. And also making sure the signs have been properly communicated to the runner from the third-base coach. In other words, the first-base coach can operate as a safety net if a player has a question. Davey Collins, who is one of the best teachers of base-running business, also times runners to first. In essence, the first-base and third-base coaches work as four extra eyes for the base runners.
Every plan that Dan O’Dowd has put in place has failed. From trading Dante Bichette when he was still producing to doing nothing to help a young team this year, he has failed at every turn. No one wants to ever see someone lose a job, but when will enough be enough?
— Josh Williams, Butte, Mont.
Josh – Next season is critical. As O’Dowd told me earlier this week, “there needs to a strong will for winning developed. No excuses.” I agree with him. The youth movement is over. Most of the core players will be entering their third or fourth seasons and, aside from Troy Tulowitzki and Chris Iannetta, none of them is young. If this team doesn’t have a winning season next year, it would be hard, if not impossible, to sell progress.
Any chance that the NL wins the World Series this year? Did the All-Star Game decide home-field advantage? Thanks.
— Tom, Colorado Springs
Tom – As for your first question, the All-Star Game did determine home-field advantage, meaning Michael Young’s hit of Trevor Hoffman gave the AL four games in the World Series. Not sure that it will matter based on the AL’s dominance in the past two World Series and this year’s interleague play.
As for your question, I really liked the Mets’ chances a month ago. But after watching Pedro Martinez pitch Wednesday, they may not even make it to the World Series. Their offense is slumping and their top two starters are an aging Tom Glavine and Steve Trachsel. With the Dodgers running out Derek Lowe, Greg Maddux and Brad Penny, they’d have a puncher’s chance, but Penny has really hit the skids in the second half.
Troy – With all the talk about the need for a center fielder, one guy that hasn’t been mentioned as a possible candidate is Gary Matthews Jr. He has had a great season for Texas and is an upcoming free agent. He can hit for power, has good speed and is a very good defensive player. Any chance that the Rockies might make a run at him?
— Matt Miller, Denver
Matt – The Rockies like Matthews – and who can blame them? He’s athletic, with power. He may win a Gold Glove this season. That said, sources have already told me that Matthews will be looking for $8 million annually based on the $7 million per season that Randy Winn received earlier this year. Don’t be surprised if somebody pays Matthews $32 million over four years – but it won’t be the Rockies. That leaves them in the hunt for the likes of Coco Crisp, Dave Roberts, Darin Erstad, Steve Finley and the like.
Denver Post sports writer Troy E. Renck is in his 11th season of covering the Colorado Rockies, his fifth for The Denver Post. To drop a question into his Rockies Mailbag or visit DenverPost.com’s .
