The inequity was alarming. In a year when he barely missed a single groundball, Rockies second baseman Jamey Carroll failed Friday to catch his first Gold Glove.
Despite committing just three errors at second base, two on the Barry Bonds’ shift that left him in shallow right field, Carroll lost out to Arizona’s Orlando Hudson, a previous winner in the American League.
“It’s disappointing. It would have been nice recognition because of how much I pride myself on defense,” Carroll said. “But it’s also good just to get mentioned.”
Big-league managers and coaches vote on the award, where name recognition often trumps actual performance. Carroll ranked above Hudson in zone rating – which quantifies how many balls a fielder reaches in his area – and committed 10 fewer errors. Hudson, however, played 157 games at second base, compared to 109 for Carroll, who shared playing time in the final month with Kaz Matsui.
“It’s frustrating because they talk about how Hudson is on the highlights for diving plays every night. I don’t think that should be held against me,” said Carroll, aware that the Rockies are not frequently featured on ESPN after years of losing. “I credit our coaching staff for constantly putting us in the right position so we don’t have to make the spectacular play.”
Reliever Jose Mesa, an 18-year veteran, said Carroll’s season ranked with any he has seen from his second basemen. Carroll turned 98 double plays at second base, constantly dousing rallies with flawless fundamentals.
“He’s very good. He makes all the plays,” Mesa said. “You trust him.”
Carroll is eligible for arbitration and the Rockies began negotiations Thursday. He’s in line to more than double his $700,000 salary. Manager Clint Hurdle has talked about blending Carroll and Matsui at second base, while also using Carroll at shortstop to spell either Clint Barmes or Troy Tulowitzki.
“A lot depends on what happens with Kaz,” Carroll said. “The Rockies apparently liked what I did and that’s a good feeling.”
Footnotes
Matsui, a free agent, lives near Los Angeles and remains committed to staying in the big leagues. If he can’t find an offer better than $1.5 million from a West Coast team, it increases the likelihood he will return to the Rockies. He continues to tell friends how comfortable he was playing in Colorado, which helped boost his confidence after a poor experience with the New York Mets. … At times last season, his fastball reaching the low 90s, Steve Col- yer was considered for a promotion from Triple-A Colorado Springs. That chance never came. Now, the left-hander is changing lanes, joining the Atlanta Braves on a $400,000 minor-league contract. If Colyer is not on the big-league roster by June 15, he can request his release. … Former Rockies outfielder Michael Restovich signed a minor-league contract with the Washington Nationals. … Reliever Scott Strickland, someone in whom the Rockies have had passing interest in years past, signed a $550,000 minor-league deal with the Padres. … Rick Schu is among the growing list of candidates under consideration for the Rockies’ vacant hitting instructor position. Triple-A hitting coach Alan Cockrell is considered the favorite.
