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 Sept. 29.
To drop a Rockies- or MLB-related question into the Rockies Mailbag or visit DenverPost.com’s .
Troy – I know that Matt Holliday gets pitched around, but he doesn’t look like a player who the Rockies should pay $20 million to $25 million per year. He’s the face of the franchise and all that, but wouldn’t the money be better spent on Garrett Atkins and a couple of decent starting pitchers?
— Robb B., Durango
Robb – Forget for a second my belief that the Rockies are better off paying Matt Holliday. Listen to what opponents said when I asked them about a Colorado lineup without him.
“It would be totally different. He influences how you pitch those around him. He’s so strong. He can beat you with one swing.” – Dodgers third base coach Larry Bowa
“They wouldn’t be anywhere near as difficult to pitch to, I know that.” – Padres first baseman Adrian Gonzalez
“He’s a guy you look forward to facing because he’s one of the best in the league.” – Giants closer Brian Wilson
The problem isn’t paying Holliday $20 million a season, it’s the term of the contract. The Rockies would prefer five years. Holliday would like more, and if not, then escape clauses to allow him to re-enter free agency. But you can’t have a $75 million payroll with Todd Helton and Holliday making a combined $40 million. The Rockies will shop both Atkins and Holliday this winter in pursuit of a starting pitcher. If they trade both, I don’t see how the Rockies get better, regardless of who they might get in return.
Hi, Troy. I’ve noticed a lot of the major league pitchers have rope “necklaces” that they wear on the mound, Luis Vizcaino being one of them. Is there a story behind those? Why is it just the pitchers who wear them? Thanks.
— Chris Bailey, Broomfield
Chris – The rope necklaces are from Phiten. The titanium bands are said to alleviate discomfort, increase circulation, reduce stress and solve global warming. OK, I kid on the latter because I care. Several players wear them, including Joba Chamberlain and Josh Beckett. Some believe they help. Others like the look. And most, frankly, just keep wear them out of habit or superstition.
They began making them in team colors this season. I have worn one for years, and it seems to help. Then again, it’s hard for a writer to land on the DL with something other than blurry vision or sore fingers.
Troy – Please explain to me how and when the Rockies are going to get something for Brian Fuentes and Matt Holliday before they leave as free agents. What a disappointment it will be if the Rockies cannot get good value for these two great players.
— Scott K., Evergreen
Scott – The Rockies made a decision to hold onto Fuentes at the trading deadline, believing they were better off with a pair of compensatory draft picks in the top 50. For that to happen, Fuentes has to decline their salary-arbitration offer. That’s a no-brainer since everyone from the Cardinals, Indians and Mets will all be looking for a closer this winter, meaning Fuentes should rake in a deal for more than $30 million.
Holliday’s situation is fluid. The Rockies will explore his market value this winter in their attempt to add a frontline starter. Ideally, the club will land a starter without moving Holliday, giving the Rockies one last run with this current group. If the team fails, they could still move Holliday at the July 31 deadline.
And remember, before crucifying Holliday for signing elsewhere, it’s not just about the contract. For Holliday to sign long term, he would want assurances, I presume, that the Rockies are going to compete year in and year out. I can’t see him becoming the next Todd Helton, hoping for a playoff berth every 10 seasons.
Dear Troy – ” In truth, this team has underperformed all year. Isn’t this the manager’s responsibility? Does Clint Hurdle have an unlimited free pass? Enough is enough!
— Fred McFadden, Colorado Springs
Fred – There’s frustration among the front office, coaches, players and fans. The Rockies suffered a swift fall this season, going from National League champs to a losing record. Dan O’Dowd and Hurdle both have one more season on their contracts. It’s impossible to overstate the importance of next year. As I said in , it’s validate or terminate time. If the Rockies succeed next year, the building-from-within philosophy makes sense, has deeper roots. If they fail, 2007 stands alone as a fluke, requiring necessary leadership changes.
In published in The Post about Dan O’Dowd, it said, “Rockies players indicated that they have been ‘aired out’ about their offensive failings by manager Clint Hurdle on more than one occasion.” What does this mean? Sounds like there’s some bad karma in the clubhouse?
— David Weieneth, Des Moines, Iowa
David – It means that the front office has grown upset with the performance, relays that info to the manager, who makes the displeasure known in no uncertain terms. The Rockies’ offensive struggles have been beyond perplexing. This team, I thought, had a chance to feature the NL’s best offense. Instead, they have struck out too much and failed to produce consistent quality at-bats to grind out wins.
It’s not bad karma. More like a poor job evaluation from time to time.
Aloha, Troy. I’m the biggest Rockies fan in Hawaii. What was the obsession with the black-and-white, sleeveless jerseys during August? I really miss the standard home pinstripes. Are they drawing this from the superstitions from last year’s run?
— Kevin, Honolulu
Kevin – The day’s starting pitcher normally chooses the uniform. Most like the black sleeveless because of the look and comfort. As long as they don’t go back to purple, I am cool with it.
Is your job less enjoyable or tougher to endure when you must watch bad baseball almost on a daily basis? Conversely, how much better was it last year when they realized some of their potential and played great late in the season?
— Brandon, Frederick
Brandon – There’s no such thing as a bad day at a ballpark. I pinch myself that I get to cover Major League Baseball for a living. It has afforded me any number of opportunities, including radio and TV gigs. At the end of the day, I love baseball. So the record is really irrelevant.
That said, when a team struggles, the job becomes more difficult because players’ moods generally are more sour. There’s more drama, and more anger. When a team wins, everybody is in a good mood. It’s easier to cover a good team, and it’s nice knowing that more people are reading what I write. Still, it’s big league baseball. I get paid to watch it. I have covered everything from bowling tournaments to curling and bungee jumping, so it really doesn’t get much better than this.
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 .
