If the Rockies were so hopelessly intent on trading Jason Jennings, the club’s all-time greatest pitcher, for another Jason, couldn’t they have at least gotten Jason Voorhees?
Jason Jennings was the team’s No. 1 draft pick in 1999, was the prototype pitcher the ownership and management bragged they would be building the franchise around, astounded the National League by being selected rookie of the year – in Denver, of all places – and became not just a solid starter, but won more games (58) than any other pitcher in Rockies history. Wow! Keep him at ALL costs.
Jason Voorhees is the infamous fictional character who never dies in the slasher movies.
This is yet another Rockies Horror Picture Show.
Sequel 14. The folly of the Rockies never dies.
At least Jason Voorhees, in a hockey mask with a machete, would have looked menacing on the mound.
Instead, the Rockies received Jason Hirsh, who was 3-4 with a 6.02 earned-run average last season. Oh, and they also picked up Taylor Buchholz, whoever he is, and “Tell ‘Em Willy Taveras Is Here,” winner of the Juan Pierre steal-alike contest.
What is going on here?
Obviously, the same thing as when I left.
I told myself a couple of days ago: “Self, I’m going to cut the Rockies some slack this season. Surely, their five-year plan will start to work in its seventh or ninth year.” I really, really meant it.
Cut the slack. Cut the clack.
Charlie Monfort and Dealin’ Dan O’Dowd still don’t get it.
Monfort has whined recently to reporters from both newspapers that Jennings wasn’t playing fair in negotiations. Way to embrace one of your star players, Charlie.
As if a player has to play fair. Ask the Boston Red Sox about their dealings with a player from Japan who hasn’t thrown one pitch in the major leagues.
If you can’t play the game, get out of the kitchen.
The Rockies believed Jennings wasn’t worth $25 million over three years. The Houston Astros knew he was worth much more.
This is not Cracker Jack. There are no surprises inside.
For too many years we’ve watched a franchise continue to implode. Who’s at the controls? Monfort, who believes the Rockies will win the World Series every year and also puts out cookies and milk for Santa, and O’Dowd, who believes every year he knows more than anyone else in baseball, although he is Santa Claus when trading with other teams.
And the Rockies keep losing and are no factor to the rest of the country.
Monfort and O’Dowd should be locked in a humidor.
(Manager Clint Hurdle is a subject for another day. He doesn’t sign checks and doesn’t make trades.)
A good owner would have ponied up to make sure Jennings stayed. Instead, he publicly criticized Jennings and his agent.
A good general manger would have gotten the contract done with Jennings and his agent, or he would have figured out how to trade Todd Helton a year ago so the Rockies could hold on to their young talent.
But these aren’t a good owner and a good general manager. Someday you’ll agree with me. I didn’t get stupid in 2 1/2 years away, and they didn’t get smart.
Are they still blaming everything on Mike Hampton?
Back in 1993, when the Rockies had become more than a glint in our eyes, the then-general manager said: “Because we’re playing in altitude, we will always have to overpay to get pitchers here.”
So, what do Monfort and O’Dowd do? They try to underpay (in today’s market) the club’s winningest pitcher.
The franchise that once ruled baseball in attendance, realized a triple-ton of profits and even made the playoffs one year now pities itself as a “small” market team that can’t compete with the big boys. Would those be Minnesota and Detroit and the Florida Marlins (who don’t draw mosquitoes)?
The Rockies are sadder than the other three major franchises in town. Those teams have salary restrictions. The Rockies have no restrictions on insipidness.
Slack-cutting.
I’m sure that O’Monfort and Dowd, or whatever, believe that Willy Taveras is the next Willie Mays and that Taylor Buchholz and Jason “I’m not Jennings” Hirsh will be outstanding pitchers.
Could be.
Except when they do, the Rockies will trade all three for three more guys you never heard of who make no money.
How about Matt Holliday for Freddy Krueger and Garrett Atkins for Norman Bates?
Welcome to another nightmare on Blake Street.
Staff writer Woody Paige can be reached at 303-954-1095 or wpaige@denverpost.com.
