Denver Post sports writer Troy E. Renck posts his Rockies Mailbag every other Wednesday during the 2010 MLB season. The next installment is slated for May 26.
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I know it’s still early, and every manager changes up the roster early in the year, but wasn’t one of the things Jim Tracy changed when he became manager last year was a consistent lineup? How much longer is this going to last with the batting order changed every night? Thanks.
— Zach, Westminster
Zach – The tinkering is going to continue until the Rockies get healthy and certain players begin returning to career norms. Tracy prides himself on stability. He helped turn last season around when he inserted Clint Barmes in the second spot and Ian Stewart into the starting lineup. If you remember, both immediately produced, making it much easier to run the same group out every day.
This season’s lineup has underperformed because of injuries and ineffectiveness. Brad Hawpe and Carlos Gonzalez have missed a chunk of time. And Todd Helton has been unable to shake out of his funk. My guess is that when Gonzalez and Tulowitzki return — Gonzalez today, Tulowitzki likely Thursday — there will be more stability for a while. By a while, I mean a week or so to see if that combination of players will hit. Obviously, if production lacks, Tracy’s hand will be forced, particularly on where he bats Helton (maybe he hits fifth, maybe he hits second).
A lot of people have been quick to pin the Rockies’ struggles on the bullpen. The fact is, they’ve been the best ‘pen in the NL. The rotation is constantly setting them up to fail, and the offense can’t provide any insurance runs late in games. Your thoughts?
— Dave, Chicago
Dave – The bullpen compiled the lowest monthly ERA in franchise history in April (2.39). And entering Tuesday, the relievers had allowed only nine of 46 inherited runners to score. So the bullpen isn’t the problem.
The issue is that they have struggled in some high-leverage situations, converting three saves and blowing four. When Huston Street returns on May 25, that should help order the relief corps and turn a solid bullpen into a great one. That is if they quit gobbling innings at an alarming rate. Bullpens are like secondaries in football. A bullpen is better when the starters do their job. Defensive backs look a heck of a lot better when a team has a consistent pass rush.
Troy – What is your favorite part of your job?
— Jeffrey Drake, Harrisburg, Ill.
Jeffrey – My favorite part of the job is discussing the nuances and the stories of the game with the players. For instance, why they throw a certain pitch in a certain count, how they adjust their batting stance, etc. It is always fascinating to me how little adjustments can make such a big difference. As someone who spends a lot of time coaching kids, the coaches and players are an invaluable resource. Furthermore, the role of confidence can never be overestimated. It really is the separating quality among players.
But when I am no longer writing, I will remember the stories. Guys sharing what it was like to face Nolan Ryan or watch Mark McGwire hit. They become kids again. It’s pretty cool.
What about giving Franklin Morales an opportunity to start again, where I think he is better suited mentally? I think his raw stuff is second on the staff only to Ubaldo Jimenez’s. Thanks.
— Steve, Aurora
Steve – Morales certainly showed potential as a starter in 2007 and early last season. The door has never been completely closed on that idea. But to do it during the year is very difficult (see Chamberlain, Joba). And now with Morales’ shoulder hurt, there would be no reason to risk further injury by changing his role.
Morales’ issue is learning to repeat his herky-jerky delivery. No sense in trying to overhaul his mechanics at this point. But at some point, he needs to get more consistent with his delivery, not unlike Jimenez did over the past two seasons.
Hey, Troy. Love your stuff. With our struggling starting pitching so far this season, will Christian Friedrich be pushed to the majors earlier than expected? Thanks, Troy.
— Mitch, Louisville, Ky.
Mitch – Having seen and talked to Friedrich at length in spring training, I am convinced that he will be a top-of-the-rotation starter. That, however, will not happen this season. He was shut down recently with forearm soreness. The MRI came back negative, but the team will move cautiously. Friedrich, who spent a big part of spring training studying Jeff Francis’ mechanics, throws exceptionally hard. He also hides the ball well, so I can see him as more of a power pitcher even at the big league level.
Troy – Thanks for your excellent, entertaining writing. Has any major league team (NFL, MLB, NBA, etc.) ever been known to employ a lip reader?
— Joe, Denver
Joe – There are players and coaches on staffs that I know can read lips and they can certainly steal signs. I would doubt a team would ever make it an official job. But teams go to great lengths to steal signs and secrets. (Remember the Diamondbacks spying on the Rockies at Hi Corbett Field during the Buck Showalter regime?) I know Oakland used the trainer to send signs during part of manager Tony La Russa’s tenure.
Hey, Troy. Top to bottom, who has the best rotation in the National League West?
— Jeff D., Loveland
Jeff – Without question it’s the San Francisco Giants. They were already good, and then Barry Zito emerged from the witness-relocation program. In fairness, Zito was solid after the all-star break last season. He’s been amazing this year, off to the best start by a Giants pitcher since Juan Marichal.
Zito has fixed his delivery, and he credits offseason workouts with closer Brian Wilson for helping his strength and stamina. So they have Tim Lincecum (a guy like Jimenez who I would pay to watch every game), Matt Cain, Zito, Jonathan Sanchez and Todd Wellemeyer. That group ran off a streak of 13 consecutive starts without allowing more than two earned runs. Right now, when it comes to NL West rotations, it’s the Giants, and everybody else.
Denver Post sports writer Troy E. Renck is in his 15th season of covering the Colorado Rockies, his ninth for The Denver Post. for the Rockies Mailbag.
