PITTSBURGH — Tulo, Ubaldo, CarGo and Who Knows?
That is the bumper sticker for this Rockies season. But looking forward, it just as easily could be Tulo, Ubaldo, CarGo and Who Cares?
Really, does it matter who else fills out the roster if these three stay together? The answer, of course, is yes. Yet, when looking for reasons the Rockies are going to be good for at least the next three years, it starts with these musketeers. Which other major-league team can match this 26-and- younger trio of power?
The Miami Heat doesn’t count (Dwyane Wade is 28).
All-star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki and all-star pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez are secured through 2014 if club options are exercised. Outfielder Carlos Gonzalez hasn’t even entered the salary arbitration process, but he said something Saturday that should make the Cheerios taste a little better for Rockies fans this morning.
“I would love it if we could spend our entire career together. We like each other and we play well together. And we can win,” Gonzalez said. “I would like to stay in this organization. They gave me this opportunity. Denver is getting to know me and love me. And I am getting comfortable here.”
The idea of Gonzalez staying as long as Tulowitzki and Jimenez is complicated. Gonzalez is represented by super agent Scott Boras, who never makes a practice of allowing his clients to give away years in free agency in exchange for earlier security.
That doesn’t mean Boras won’t work with the Rockies through the “arb years” — he negotiated a two-year deal for Matt Holliday that took him into last year before free agency.
The way it sets up now, the trio should be together at least through 2013. That is the window. Everything should be viewed through this time frame. If the Rockies are going to win a division title, play in another World Series, it needs to happen during this stretch.
Rockies general manager Dan O’Dowd acquired Gonzalez from Oakland for Holliday before the 2009 season, a trade that will rank as one of baseball’s best in decades if CarGo wins an MVP. O’Dowd needs to work his magic this offseason, acquiring a slugging first baseman — Adam LaRoche, Lance Berkman, Aubrey Huff — and a veteran starting pitcher who can cover the staff if Jhoulys Chacin regresses.
Three years. Three guys. One priority: Win before the group breaks up.
“I am very much enjoying watching them grow up,” Jim Tracy said when I jokingly asked if his contract had language that forced the trio to be on the roster as long he was the Rockies’ manager. “We are not going away. We are going to be playing meaningful games in August and September, I can promise you that.”
Martin may be done with Dodgers.
The artist formerly known as Russell Martin is lost for the season. The Dodgers catcher injured his hip last Tuesday when he foolishly didn’t slide at the plate against the Padres. It could mark the end of his career in Los Angeles. He’s a potential nontender candidate because of his disturbing statistical slide. His home run totals the past four seasons: 19, 17, seven and five.
Martin’s insane workload aged him in dog years — he averaged 150 starts from 2007-09 — and his dramatic weight loss has robbed him of his power.
Footnotes.
Line of the day from several Yankees beat writers and tweeters after Alex Rodriguez was smoked Saturday in the shin by a line drive during BP: “That’s the hardest ball Lance Berkman has hit as a Yankee.” Berkman was booed Saturday. . . . The Red Sox signed slugger Carlos Delgado to a minor-league deal. He never made much sense for the Rockies, because of his age and injury issues. . . . The Rockie who teams inquired about the most last month? Left-hander Joe Beimel. But Beimel isn’t making much money, so there’s no urgency for the Rockies to move him without getting value even with Matt Reynolds pushing the envelope in the minors. . . . Cool story out of Arizona: Manager Kirk Gibson writes the attendance on his lineup card to remind him to be thankful for the fans watching the dreadful D-backs. “I’ll look up there and say, ‘Bless your hearts for coming,’ ” Gibson told reporters. He has even called over players to sign autographs for fans. . . . Why does every team that Yorvit Torrealba joins win? Believe me, it’s not a coincidence. He drives some nuts with his passion, but it’s not eyewash. He loves to compete. He told me in April this year’s Padres were a lot like the 2007 Rockies. He looks like a genius so far.
AT ISSUE
Beating bad teams key to having good season
What: The Rockies’ postseason plans this year could be spoiled because of their inability to beat teams they would never play in the postseason. Go figure.
When: Over the remainder of the next two months, the Rockies have to play better against the dregs of society. If they are golfing in early October — or hunting with this team — it’s because the Rockies have not stepped on the likes of the Diamondbacks, Pirates and Astros.
Background: I raised this issue a month ago: The stronger the opponent, the better the Rockies play. That makes for great theater against the Red Sox and Giants but kills the bottom line when the same effort isn’t duplicated against the frosting-covered cupcakes. According to noted researcher Bill Chuck, through Aug. 6 the Rockies were 31-26 against winners and 25-26 against the losing clubs. Compare that with the Padres, who were 30-30 against good teams and 33-14 versus the soft underbelly. And with the Giants, who have struggled with beasts (29-36) but mauled the desperate and weak (33-11).
Renck’s take: The Rockies’ Jason Giambi brought up the point before I did. We were talking about his Yankees clubs and he admitted, “We killed the teams we were supposed to.” If the Rockies are to have any chance of clawing their way into the playoffs, they must take advantage of the underlings this week. Every team they play over the next eight days — Pirates, Mets and Brewers — has no better than a .500 record. A 6-1 mark against this dandelion trio would go a long way toward shoving the Rockies back into the race.
EYE ON . . .
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B, San Diego Padres
Background: Gonzalez has replaced Rockies special assistant Vinny Castilla, a former star third baseman, as Mexico’s most popular player. And he’s replaced Trevor Hoffman and Tony Gwynn as the face of the Padres’ franchise. Funny, since he was supposed to be traded to the Red Sox by now.
What’s up: Gonzalez signed a four-year, $9.5 million contract that extends through next season if a $5.5 million club option is exercised. Even at that price, he ranks as one of baseball’s best bargains on the sport’s most surprising team. Simply put, Gonzalez is a strong MVP candidate in the NL, hitting .285 with 21 home runs and 68 RBIs.
Renck’s take: To truly appreciate Gon- zalez, take in a game at Petco Park sometime. It’s easier to hit a ball out of Yellowstone on most nights. Manager Bud Black believes Gonzalez would clobber 40 home runs if he played home games elsewhere. The point is valid when examining the statistics. Gonzalez is batting .307 on the road with 13 homers and 39 RBIs. To understand how good Gon- zalez is, look at the Padres’ lineup. Even with the recent additions of Miguel Tejada and Ryan Ludwick, there’s not a single player who scares the opposition. That means Gonzalez doesn’t receive many good pitches to hit — but when he gets them, he doesn’t miss. That’s what made Barry Bonds so valuable. And it could lead to Gonzalez winning his first MVP trophy, over Joey Votto, Albert Pujols and Carlos Gonzalez.
THREE UP
1. Phillies: Won 13 of 15 games, forcing the Braves to see the monster in the rearview mirror.
2. Twins: Have gone 12-4 since July 21, enabling them to stick to the White Sox like Saran Wrap.
3. Reds: Have won 10 of their last 12 series. Paul Janish has filled in nicely at shortstop.
THREE DOWN
1. Tigers: They ought to look into moving Johnny Damon to a contender this month.
2. Dodgers: Russell Martin (hip) lost for the season because of a baserunning blunder — fitting for his season.
3. Angels: Torii Hunter turned volcanic in a Friday ejection, a symbol of the team’s frustration.
