Denver Post sports writer Troy E. Renck posts his Rockies Mailbag every other Monday during the 2011 MLB season. The next installment is slated for Aug. 8.
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If the Rockies fall completely out of contention, what veterans might they be able to trade for prospects? I think either Jason Giambi or Ty Wigginton could go, and maybe Huston Street or Rafael Betancourt or Matt Belisle from the bullpen.
— Al, Boulder
Al – The Rockies are taking calls on several players. Unlike in the past, they are in a good trade position because ownership is comfortable with the payroll. That means general manager Dan O’Dowd has leverage, content to only do something that makes sense both long term and short term. O’Dowd is under no directive to move money. That said, if he can restock the farm system at its highest levels, it’s likely he will make a deal or two.
Jason Giambi has enjoyed a strong season, and he could help an American League club as a DH. But his age works against him. Teams want him, but won’t give up much, especially since Giambi has struggled in a pinch-hitting role.
Beyond Ubaldo Jimenez, Ty Wigginton could likely fetch the most in a trade. He’s under contract through next season at an affordable $4 million with a club option for the same price in 2013. The key to any deals are Ian Stewart and Jordan Pacheco.
If Stewart regains his standing in the organization — he’s improved offensively of late and will continue as a starter — then Wigginton morphs back into a super-utility role. That has real value on a contender. But if the Rockies aren’t in it, they could move Wigginton and try Pacheco in that role — first and third base backup — in mid-August or September.
Street’s price tag will limit most suitors. He’d be due roughly $11 million if traded this month — that counts next season’s salary and a 2013 buyout. Texas is among the teams looking for relief help and knows Street well from his days in Oakland. Betancourt has not performed well enough to command a lot of attention. He lost his setup role and his guaranteed $4.25 million next year. Kerry Wood is the top prize among relievers, especially given how he performed in a cameo role with the Yankees a year ago.
Troy – Is having our Triple-A team in Colorado Springs counterproductive? I understand the philosophy: Have your minor leaguers play under similar conditions to the ones you play under. Not to mention they are an hour away. But, it seems, the Rockies are overvaluing the offensive production of the Triple-A guys. Also, it is apparent that the players aren’t able to make the adjustment from Colorado Springs to the majors. Also, if pitching in Denver is overtaxing our pitchers, what does their stint in the Springs do? Does it accelerate the “burnout” process?
— Dan Tower, Arvada
Dan – There’s no denying how difficult it is to pitch in Colorado Springs. The wind blows out regularly, the ground is dry and hard in front of home plate, creating endless Baltimore chop singles, and the park doesn’t play fair. The thinking is if a pitcher can survive down there he’s better mentally equipped to deal with Coors Field, which is no treat but has certainly not been the pinball machine it was before the humidor was added in 2002.
The Rockies don’t overvalue hitting statistics in the Springs. Everyone knows that players’ averages in the Pacific Coast League are inflated. Almost every ballpark in the league is tilted toward offense. Hitters are able to make adjustments there because of that, and more importantly, the pitching isn’t even close to what the worst big league teams trot out every night.
The Rockies were unhappy with the condition of the Colorado Springs’ field several years ago and talked of moving to New Mexico. But it didn’t happen. Obviously, the Springs’ arrangement is convenient so there would have to be real incentive to change affiliates.
What are the Rockies’ plans at first base in the post-Todd Helton era? He is having a great year but isn’t getting any younger, and we haven’t heard much about who is in line to take over there.
— Geoff, Broomfield
Geoff – Backing up Helton is where first basemen go to die. Where have you gone Ryan Shealy, Joe Koshansky?
Helton is under contract for two more seasons and is enjoying a career revival. At this point a year ago, there was talk in some circles that he might retire. He dedicated himself to ruthless workouts over the winter and has been the Rockies’ most consistent offensive player. Can he do that for two more years? I learned a long time ago not to count out Helton. He’s a Hall of Fame talent with a burning desire to go out on his own terms.
That said, Ben Paulsen is an intriguing prospect. The Double-A slugger showed real power in spring training, catching Helton’s attention. And he’s not easily impressed.
Hey, Troy. Can you please explain the dreaded “left on left” matchup? Why do teams avoid this when they don’t shy away from the “right on right” matchup?
— Craig, Denver
Craig – The simple explanation lies in the numbers. There are a lot fewer left-handed pitchers. And left-handers, on average, enjoy a lot more success against left-handed hitters. Some lefties have arm angles that make it look like they are throwing behind the right-hander, creating a cross-fire pitch. There are cases across the board where mediocre lefties dominate some of the best left-handed hitters. And conversely, mediocre right-handed hitters can hit dominant lefties. They pick up the ball a lot better.
Troy – After the series at Yankee Stadium, I couldn’t help but picture Dexter Fowler being the same type of player that Curtis Granderson is. Athleticism is there, but Granderson is so much more powerful and aggressive. Will Fowler ever hit for power? Get the guy a protein shake.
— Brian Gorney, Golden
Brian – Dexter Fowler’s athleticism is unmistakable. He needs to play with more aggressiveness, force the issue. That means stealing bases, bunting, creating havoc.
They don’t need Fowler to hit home runs. They need him to reach base more consistently. I don’t see Fowler developing Granderson’s type of power. At his high end, Fowler projects as a 15-home run guy. Granderson has a different swing, he’s a different type of player. But Fowler can still be a good major leaguer if he can exploit his skill set.
Hearing that Ian Stewart got called up to “audition” for the Mariners and Angels. Any truth to those reports? Both clubs do have excess pitching to deal from.
— Thomas, Los Angeles
Thomas – There was a time earlier this year, I was fairly certain that Stewart would be traded. But his slump was so bad teams were just looking for a vulture deal, swooping in and taking him off the Rockies’ hands for nothing.
Because Stewart’s just 26, there was no reason for the Rockies to sell low. As it stands, Stewart’s situation has changed again. He’s getting a long stretch of playing time. The plan now is to let him start the rest of the season to determine once-and-for-all what his future is in the organization.
How did you get your start into writing, and then writing about sports, and what do you think is the best way to go about doing that in the newspaper-and-Internet world of today?
— Joshua Smith, Casper, Wyo.
Joshua – I knew by seventh grade that my chance of playing a professional sport was a longshot (unless I became a jockey). So I poured myself into reading and writing. I became the editor of both my middle school and high school papers and knew by the age 16 that I wanted to be a sports writer.
Baseball was always my favorite sport, but I love writing. My parents and later my wife supported me every step of the way, making it easy to pursue my dream. I have covered every sport from the NFL to college hoops to auto racing and over-the-line softball (Yuma, Ariz., hello). I followed my passion to the University of Colorado. I was fortunate enough to have good professors, an unbelievable mentor in Doug Looney and a sports editor at The Colorado Daily (Mike Sandrock) who encouraged and pushed me. That my twin brother was doing the same thing — he still is at The Pueblo Chieftain — made it even more enjoyable.
To your question on the business, I wish I could give you a simple answer. The industry is fluid right now. There’s never been a greater appetite for the information, but making money off it remains a challenge. I will say this: read as much as possible. I found my voice in writing through this practice. It’s something I still do everyday. You don’t have to major in journalism, but you need practical experience of writing on deadline if you want to cover sports. Also, remain tech savvy. Those young people who are moving fast in my industry understand technology and can use it in a way that makes them an asset to the paper.
Denver Post sports writer Troy E. Renck is in his 16th season of covering the Colorado Rockies, his 10th for The Denver Post. for the Rockies Mailbag.
