Denver Post sports writer Troy E. Renck posts his Rockies Mailbag every other week on Mondays during the 2008 MLB season on DenverPost.com. The next installment is slated for July 14.
To drop a Rockies- or MLB-related question into the Rockies Mailbag or visit DenverPost.com’s .
Hey, Troy. With the lack of production from the leadoff spot along with the clutch hitting of Ryan Spilborghs, what about starting Spilborghs in center field and hitting Helton leadoff? Sure, Helton is no speed demon, but he sees a lot of pitches and has a high OBP. Plus, his power numbers and AVG with RISP are down.
— Micah, Longmont
Micah – Todd Helton’s position in the lineup has become a hot topic. It’s likely that he will be moved out of the cleanup spot based on what manager Clint Hurdle and Helton said last weekend.
Helton is mired in a 9-for-49 slump and just completed a 3-for-19 homestand. Hurdle has never judged Helton on his power, but rather his ability to score and drive in runs. He’s not doing either right now, so he could benefit from a switch.
Moving him to second is a possibility, giving him even better pitches to hit with Matt Holliday behind him. As a temporary fix that reflects who’s hot now, Hurdle could simply flip-flop Brad Hawpe and Helton, shifting Helton to sixth. It’s not a permanent solution since Hawpe has yet to prove he can consistently hit left-handers.
Regarding Ryan Spilborghs, he was working himself into the leadoff mix before after being threatened to land on the bench. Taveras has batted .342 over his last 10 games with 10 runs entering the Kansas City series. He’s not going anywhere right now, particularly given the speed he’s infusing in the lineup. He leads the league in stolen bases. Spilborghs will remain in the mix, and should get some extra at-bats this week in American League parks where the Rockies will use a DH.
Why the revolving door at second base? How about giving someone a chance to see groundballs, double plays and at-bats for a month? See what happens. It all started by pulling the plug too early on Jayson Nix, who is hitting back in the minors.
— Bert, Bailey
Bert – Jayson Nix picked the wrong year to have a bad month. If he had broken in with Todd and the Toddlers back in 2005, he would likely still be playing second base, working through his offensive issues. He became the victim of an underachieving lineup. Second base, catcher and center fielder represented the only spots where the Rockies were willing to consider major adjustments given the numbers of those occupying the other lineup slots.
The solution should appear this week: Clint Barmes can hit second and play second. And Jeff Baker, the Rockies’ hottest hitter, can DH. Barmes was the Rockies’ best offensive player before he injured his knee six weeks ago. Baker has made a strong statement offensively that he deserves at-bats. Here’s an interesting question to consider, one keenly raised by colleague : What if Baker turns out to better than Ian Stewart? It’s an intriguing thought that seemed improbable in spring training.
Troy – Thanks for keeping us up to date on . With the rumors of a Brian Fuentes trade, what could the Rockies get that would be as valuable? I’m just worried the Rockies will lose him, not get much, and Manuel Corpas won’t be ready to close. Keep up the good work.
— Jhan Ganyen, Stillwater, Okla.
Jhan – For now, the Rockies are telling teams there is no Yard Sale at 20th and Blake Street. Colorado is firmly in contention in the National League West. It’s not so much a race as five teams sinking in quicksand gasping for their final breaths.
The Mets, Yankees and Red Sox all have varying degrees of interest in Brian Fuentes. If the Rockies make him available at the deadline, he could net them a premium young starting pitcher – a top Double-A or Triple-A prospect. The Mets offered reliever Aaron Heilman during the winter meetings. In talking to GM Dan O’Dowd, he’s looking more for quality than quantity in deals.
Manuel Corpas is not next in line to close if Fuentes is dealt. At this point, Taylor Buchholz deserves a look. He’s been one of the NL’s best setup men this season.
Everyone is up in arms because the Rockies are struggling mightily this year and calling for heads. Why hasn’t much been said about the World Series hangover that many teams have. Even Boston is beginning to see that with the injury bug this year. All that extra play, and virtually no rest with all the offseason training, has to wear out the players. Is there any truth to the hangover?
— Jose, Denver
Jose – Funny story about hangovers – and no I am not talking about my days in college. Manager Clint Hurdle was asked early in the season if his team was suffering a World Series hangover, and he said he knew a lot about hangovers – he’s been sober for years – but never remembered having one last six months.
To your point, pitchers can definitely experience a lull in the following season based on reaching career highs in innings pitched. I think the heavy workload has played into Jeff Francis’ difficult start. But I have asked Francis repeatedly, and he insists that it’s not an issue. The offseason, in fact, wasn’t cut short in terms of workouts. The weight room was packed just a few days after the World Series.
Troy – I know that the Rockies’ current coaching staff will have to stay for a while – at least to give Clint Hurdle a (deserved) chance to manage in the all-star game. But … would the Rockies’ management ever consider swapping the current coaching staff with that of, for example, the Asheville Tourists, one of their Single-A affiliates? Asheville is consistently a dozen games or more over .500 and is usually in first place in a tough division. I know the two levels are quite different, but do you think the Tourists’ staff might be able to motivate/help the current Rockies better at this point?
— Mark Cohen, Parker
Mark – It’s an interesting proposition. Would they ever do it? In a word, no. There’s no doubt that the Rockies have some qualified minor league coaches, but you answered your own question regarding the difference in the levels.
The major leagues are so much harder than the minors. Hypothetical example: A minor league coach could go to the bigs and perfectly instruct a hitter how to shift his weight, keep his hands back and drive a slider to right field. In Class A, he would likely see results that night. In the majors, he might not ever see the results. The pitching is that much better.
The Rockies’ coaches are an easy target. But in my experience covering the team since 1996, this staff does more teaching than any I have been around. Because this team is relatively young, its work ethic remains strong, leaving this group ripe for teaching.
Why are some major leaguers wearing a style of bulky plastic necklace this season?
— Chip, Boulder
Chip – If you’re actually the mascot for CU, I am going to feel silly for answering this question in a serious manner. Those necklaces have been around since 2005, made by Phiten. They contain titanium and, in short, are supposed to make the body feel better. I have worn one for years, seems to work. Still, I am sports writer, so beyond my fingers, where am I supposed to ache? I do like it. But, I can guarantee players wear it more for superstition than medicinal purposes.
Troy – I think it’s time to realize Todd Helton is on the downside of his career. For the best of the franchise, they need to move him to a team with a need at first base and one that can afford his salary (Yankees). Then, they can move Garrett Atkins to first and call up Ian Stewart. The money saved can be used to lock up Atkins and possibly Matt Holliday. An infield of Atkins-Barmes-Troy Tulowitzki-Stewart would be better than what they are rolling out now, at least on offense.
— Tom, Atlanta
Tom – Todd Helton will likely be moved in the lineup, not to another team. Helton has a complete no-trade clause and a guaranteed $56.9 million remaining on his contract after this season. I just can’t see him leaving. Maybe the issue will be revisited in the offseason. But again, Helton is in the driver’s seat. Nobody twisted the Rockies’ arms to give him this money, and he’s earned the right to determine whether he goes or not.
Denver Post sports writer Troy E. Renck is in his 13th season of covering the Colorado Rockies, his seventh for The Denver Post. To drop a question into his Rockies Mailbag or visit DenverPost.com’s .
