By any measure, Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki is a great defender. But, he is not yet a Gold Glover. The Rockies, despite having three strong candidates, were shut out for the fifth consecutive season.
For the second time in three years, Tulowitzki lost out to Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins. The Gold Glove is voted on by opposing managers and coaches.
Rollins has won the award three consecutive years. While fielding remains more difficult to quantify than hitting, Tulo-witzki compared favorably to the Phillies’ veteran. Rollins led National League shortstops with a .990 fielding percentage, committing just six errors. Tulowitzki finished second with a .986 percentage and nine errors. Tulowitzki, however, had a better range factor, 50 more chances and 44 more assists.
Todd Helton and Clint Barmes were also mentioned as candidates. Helton has won three Gold Gloves, but none since 2004. He finished with just three errors.
Barmes committed 12 errors, but his range factor ranked second to Houston’s Kazuo Matsui.
Torrealba talk.
The Rockies have not talked to Yorvit Torrealba since they declined his $4 million option Friday. Torrealba rejected a two-year, $4.5 million deal from the Rockies in the days leading up to that decision. That choice needs context, however. He turned that down before the Rockies had decided whether they were going to pick up his option.
These options are a bit of a poker game. But it’s understandable that Torrealba would turn down the two-year deal if there was still a chance the team would exercise the $4 million option. There remains a chance that Torrealba, a popular figure in the clubhouse, could return as a free agent. The Rockies have exclusive negotiating rights until Nov. 20.
Troy E. Renck: 303-954-1301 or trenck@denverpost.com
