Denver Post sports writer Patrick Saunders posts his Rockies Mailbag on Tuesdays.
for the Rockies Mailbag.
I saw on MLB Network that the Rockies’ starting pitchers had the lowest number of innings of any team in 2014, probably because of talent, ineffectiveness and the arbitrary 100-pitch limit for the starters. in a recent interview. Will the Rockies ditch the 100-pitch limit and stretch out the SPs in spring training? Will spring training be run differently under Bridich than it was under Dan O’Dowd?
— Steve, Aurora
Steve – That’s an excellent question.
I know that manager Walt Weiss was more flexible with the 100-pitch limit later in the season, and I’m sure he’s willing to allow pitchers to go deeper into games. So I don’t think a 100-pitch count is a hard and fast rule any longer.
That being said, the Rockies, led by Bridich, are convinced that the toil of pitching at Coors Field must be taken into account, so the Rockies are going to err on the side of caution when it comes to workloads for their starters.
Plus, the pitch count is going to depend on the makeup of the rotation. I would imagine Jorge De La Rosa, Jordan Lyles, Kyle Kendrick and Tyler Matzek will be stretched out in spring so they can go deep into games.
The Rockies will be cautious with Jhoulys Chacin, who’s coming off a shoulder injury. The young guns, Jon Gray and Eddie Butler, will be on a tighter leash.
As for how spring training will be run, I don’t see anything different under Bridich than it was under O’Dowd. Bench coach Tom Runnells sets the daily schedule in terms of drills and workouts, etc. I expect that Weiss will defer to him again.
Do the Rockies have throwback uniforms?
— Dave, Denver
Dave – I’m not sure the Rockies have been around long enough to have true “throwback uniforms.” Plus, their basic uniform hasn’t change a lot since 1993.
I asked someone in the Rockies PR department your question, and he said the club doesn’t have throwback uniforms, unless you consider their black sleeveless jerseys as throwbacks.
I have come across an alternative jersey worn during the Larry Walker era that featured a giant purple-and-white mountain and a big baseball on the front. It was pretty hideous, in my humble opinion. I don’t consider it a “throwback jersey.”
I’m sure somebody out there knows more about the jersey I’m talking about.
What will it take for Jon Gray or Eddie Butler or both to make the rotation to start the season?
— Camryn, Las Vegas
Camryn – I seriously doubt that will happen. The duo would have to blow the doors off big-league hitters during spring training in order for the Rockies’ brass to consider it.
There are scenarios, of course, where Butler and Gray would be pressed into action. If Chacin’s shoulder breaks down again, or if another injury occurs, then I suppose the Rockies could turn to two prospects out of necessity. But that is not the team’s gameplan.
The reason Bridich signed Kendrick as a free agent and acquired David Hale and Gus Schlosser from the Atlanta Braves was to add depth so the Rockies wouldn’t have to press Gray and Butler into service before they were ready.
I do expect Gray to make his big-league debut in 2015, but that might not happen until August or September. A lot depends on how competitive the Rockies are early in the season.
The big elephant in the room is what is REALLY different this year for the Rockies? Every year it is getting rid of some players, and bringing in new ones. Is there real hope for this year? I’d like to know before I spend money to go the games. (Sorry, Rockies, I really am a fan; I just want to see more winning and bigger effort.)
— Cinda Tagliareni, Castle Rock
Cinda – To be honest, there is not a lot really different this year, unless you count the addition of veteran catcher Nick Hundley. I know a lot of fans are disappointed that the Rockies didn’t make dynamic moves like the San Diego Padres did. After four terrible seasons, I certainly understand fans’ skepticism.
Real hope? I suppose it depends on your definition. The Rockies do have a dynamic lineup, if it stays healthy. Of course I’m talking about Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez. But even if those two stars stay on the field and have all-star seasons, it’s tough to see the Rockies contending in the National League West. There are simply too many question marks in the starting rotation and bullpen.
Realistic hope, from my vantage point, would be a .500 season.
What are the real odds the Rockies reach a .500 record? What does Dick Monfort think those odds are?
— Brian, Denver
Brian – As I alluded to in my response to Cinda, I think a .500 record would be a huge step forward. At this point, I’m thinking a 75-win season is more realistic. I hope I’m completely wrong.
I haven’t talked to Monfort this offseason, so I don’t know what he’s thinking. However, he did tell Thomas Harding of MLB.com this winter: ” “
That leads me to believe that Monfort anticipates a .500 season — or better. I don’t think he’s going to predict a 90-win season as he did last year.
Now the Padres sign James Shields. I guess that was to counter the Rockies’ signing of a No. 3 starter the Phillies were sick of in Kyle Kendrick. What an offseason. Journeyman catcher, utility infielder, No. 3 pitcher. While the teams who were already better than the Rockies loaded up even more, including the remade Padres. With an ownership that obviously is more interested in the bottom line and the partying at Coors Beer Garden than winning, why should fans even watch this joke of a franchise this year? Injuries, altitude, money are always excuses. Can’t they just once try to win a title?
— Bob Osborne, Westminster
Bob – I’m not sure that there is a question in your rant. Not that I blame you for venting, I’m just not sure how to respond. However, as a public service to other disgruntled Rockies fans, I have included your diatribe here.
Am I too pessimistic to believe that success at a mile high is too farfetched? It seems that the difficulty for pitching and every day injury recovery is at odds with players who have to adjust every other week to baseball at altitude and at “normal” elevations.
— Glenn Miyasaki, Longmont
Hey, Glenn, nice to hear from you.
Your question has hung over this franchise since its inception. Some fans hate to hear it, but playing baseball at Coors Field presents problems unlike any other in baseball. I know you follow the team, so you are well aware of the challenges.
That being said, I think a formula can be found that will make the Rockies more consistently competitive. Weiss, I’m certain, believes that Coors should be one of the biggest home-field advantages in baseball. He wants it to be a house of horrors for visiting teams. He’s right, that advantage is there for the taking.
The trick is finding a way to win at home and at least be decent on the road. The Rockies are struggling to solve that mystery. Last season for instance, they were nine games above .500 at home (45-36), but horrendous on the road — a franchise-worst 21-60.
, Colorado must tweak its offensive approach on the road.
As for the injury and the injury-and-recovery issue, I do believe it’s real. I discovered that while writing a story entitled ” ” in 2012.
But I also think that if players are disciplined and take extra care of their bodies, the wear and tear of altitude can be reduced.
The Rockies defense could carry this team. Just look at the infield alone. Would you agree?
— J.R., Denver
J.R. – I don’t agree at all. Without better starting pitching, a greatly improved bullpen and vast improvement on the road, defense will only take the Rockies so far.
True, the Rockies have four potential Gold Glove infielders in Troy Tulowitzki at short, Nolan Arenado at third, DJ LeMahieu at second and Justin Morneau at first.
But the Rockies ranked 25th in baseball in fielding percentage last year, so it’s not as if their defense was stellar last season. Their pitchers, for instance, committed a major-league most 24 errors last season. The Rockies have to clean up their act in 2015, because it’s not a given that they’ll play stellar defense in 2015.
Denver Post sports writer Patrick Saunders posts his Rockies Mailbag on Tuesdays. for the Rockies Mailbag.
