Denver Post sports writer Troy E. Renck posts his Rockies Mailbag every other week on Mondays during the 2007 Major League Baseball season on DenverPost.com. The next installment, however, is slated for July 16.
To drop a Rockies or MLB question into the Rockies Mailbag or visit DenverPost.com’s .
I thought of writing before , but I gave undeserved credit to the Rockies’ brain trust to do the obvious. Why didn’t the Rockies enlist their minor league knuckleballer to pitch batting practice Monday to give them a taste of what they’d face vs. Wakefield? They looked lost against the knuckler because of their lack of familiarity with it. It seems that batting practice is mostly a waste anyway because they won’t see all those grooved pitches in a game.
— Jeff Cersonsky, Connecticut
Jeff – I understand your thought process. Makes sense to give them a peek. In fact the Rockies faced the White Sox’s knuckleball prospect a handful of times in spring training. The issue is this: Nobody throws one like or as consistently well as Wakefield. When he’s on, as Hall of Fame announcer Vin Scully put it, “It’s like trying to catch soap bubbles.”
The point: I am not sure practicing for Wakefield would have done much good. Hitters are at his mercy. When he’s on, he’s terrific. And on the days it doesn’t float and stays flat, he gets racked.
It’s so sad when all-star voting by fans makes undeserving players on the Yankees, Mets and Red Sox starting while players like Matt Holliday, arguably baseball’s best left fielder, have to watch from the bench. Speaking of all-stars and the Rockies, Brad Hawpe is putting together a fantastic year. As of June 18, he’s hitting just under .300 with 12 HRs and 47 RBIs, near the tops in the league over the last month. What do you think the odds are that Brad will somehow make the team?
— Anthony Masterson, Powell, Wyo.
Anthony – Hawpe has gone from a long shot to having a fair shot. Remember, he almost made the team last season. National League manager Phil Garner told me that Hawpe was one of the last guys left off when he added his reserves. Of possibly going, Hawpe told me the other day, “I am not thinking about it. But it would be cool, obviously, if I did.”
The problem with Hawpe’s bid is his position. When this year’s NL manager Tony La Russa trolls for reserves to make sure that every team is represented, inevitably outfielders come up. They may not be as deserving as Hawpe, but every team gets a player in – that more than anything could cost Hawpe a spot.
For what it’s worth, Holliday is a lock given his season and what he’s done to the Cardinals in the past.
What’s the latest on Greg Reynolds? I thought he was supposed to be back by now. If he comes back to the form he has shown so far this season, would the Rockies have to consider using him over trading for another starter? Keeping this young team intact might be the best option.
— Christopher Roth, Galveston, Texas
Christopher, a regular to the mailbag. Thanks for writing and following the team so closely.
Reynolds has returned from some arm soreness to rejoin Tulsa’s rotation. He pitched last week, another gem in a catalog of them this season. In a matchup of the first two picks from the 2006 draft, Reynolds didn’t allow a run over five innings. Problem is, neither did Royals’ prospect Luke Hochevar, so Reynolds didn’t get the win.
Before that outing, Reynolds hadn’t pitched since May 15. Because of his absence, the Rockies will likely exercise patience with him, making sure he rebuilds arm strength. Reynolds certainly profiles for Coors Field, with his heavy sinker. And given how disappointing Ubaldo Jimenez has been this season – even though he pitched well in his last start – it’s fair to consider Reynolds the team’s top starter in the minors.
I wouldn’t be surprised if he gets a September call-up, health willing.
Troy – It seems to me that Aaron Cook gives up a lot of two-out hits. Most, if not all, of the runs he gave up June 17 came with two outs. Is that an indication that he just has had bad luck? Or he isn’t “buckling” down to get the third out, especially with runners in scoring position?
— Robb, Durango
Robb – The Rockies’ pitching staff was scolded about two-out hits in May just before the team went on its remarkable 20-7 run. There was a feeling then from pitching coach Bob Apodaca that some guys were trying to be too fine with two strikes, trying to make the perfect pitch. Usually that leads to mistakes. Cook has struggled in that regard, particularly with runners on base. If he rushes his delivery, his sinker stays up.
For the Rockies to contend, they need Cook to get hot. There’s no way they are hanging around in September if their opening-day starter has a losing record.
Will the Rockies be able to retain all-star closer Brian Fuentes?
— Chris, Boston
Chris – It’s a fair question that, right now, doesn’t have a clear answer. As it stands, Fuentes is making $3.5 million in the final season of a two-year deal. He will be eligible for arbitration a final time after this season, where he can compare himself to free agents and previous arbitration players. Given that Brad Lidge is making $5.3 million and Francisco Rodriguez earns $7 million, it’s possible that Fuentes could approach $6 million.
He’s earned that. But if the Rockies’ $54 payroll doesn’t go up, they are going to face tough choices. Helton will make $16.6 million next season; Matt Holliday could go to $7 million; and Garrett Atkins and Brad Hawpe could combine for around $7 million. So it’s easy to see how the Rockies could have $36 million wrapped up in five players. That doesn’t leave much for the remaining roster without a significant payroll bump.
Know this as well: Fuentes is the Rockies’ most valuable trading chip if they decided to move him for some reason. Nearly every team has interest, from the Phillies to the Red Sox to the Yankees.
Are we going to ship Matt Holliday in ’08 when his contract comes up, even though he’s the primary offensive weapon? How can you talk about dipping back into free agency when you end up sending players out the door and not keeping homegrown players (see Jason Jennings, Shawn Chacon, Juan Pierre, etc.). Does this team know how to build its system and KEEP players? And why don’t we have scouts all over the world a la L.A., which had rookies of the year … what … like five years in a row?
— Rich, Denver
Rich – Holliday isn’t eligible for free agency until after the 2009 season. Until then, the team can go year-to-year with him in arbitration as it did this season. There have been no multi-year contract talks with Holliday since he switched to agent Scott Boras 18 months ago. Holliday could command $7 million next season in arbitration. The team seems committed to him, but obviously if the Rockies are unable to lock him before free agency they are going to be challenged to keep him.
The issue with Holliday has layers. He’s becoming the face of the franchise. I think the Rockies are going to have to really examine his situation beyond just whether they can afford him. In other words, can they afford to lose him? He brings a lot to the table and is a fan favorite.
In the Rockies’ defense, teams don’t keep every homegrown prospect. The idea is to create waves, so you continue to have a core of developing young players. Dealing Jason Jennings was a sound baseball trade – three players for a guy they weren’t going to re-sign. However, if Jason Hirsh doesn’t pan out, the trade will be correctly criticized.
As mentioned in a previous entry, the Rockies are going to have some tough choices this winter. The lack of payroll flexibility is why they tried so hard to trade Todd Helton. If they don’t clear out some salary or bump up the payroll, there are going to be some casualties.
With the struggles at catcher, how close are we to seeing Alvin Colina? If he is not ready or close to it, do you see a deal being done by the deadline?
— Chad, Berthoud
Chad – The Rockies had interest in Michael Barrett before he was shipped to the Padres. For all his issues this season, he’s still a 20-HR, 70-RBI type of guy. Yorvit Torrealba has hit better of late. And he’s been very good defensively, especially in calling games. Chris Iannetta’s spot is in jeopardy if he doesn’t start to hit. There’s a chance Edwin Bellorin could take his spot this week because he’s hit so well in Triple-A. In that regard, he’s moved ahead of Colina in the pecking order.
Please tell me the Rox didn’t draft Casey Weathers because they could get him cheap (he’s a college senior so he can’t go back to school).
— Wes Abbott, Denver
Wes – There’s no getting around the fact that signability is an issue with the Rockies as it is with a lot of teams. But as far as I can tell, Weathers is a solid pick. And he could come quickly as a reliever. He’s only pitched for two seasons, so there’s still refining to be done. But he throws 98 miles per hour, something that can’t be taught.
Again, with drafts, the most accurate measure doesn’t come until around three to four years later.
Denver Post sports writer Troy E. Renck is in his 12th season of covering the Colorado Rockies, his sixth for The Denver Post. To drop a question into his Rockies Mailbag or visit DenverPost.com’s .
