Denver Post sports writer Patrick Saunders posts his Rockies Mailbag every other week on Tuesdays during the season.
for the Rockies Mailbag.
Hall of Famer Goose Gossage had some strong words about the state of the game. Gossage called out Jose Bautista and then got all over the “Harvard Nerds” of the game. Do you think some of the nerd comments were a shot at Jeff Bridich and the Rockies?
— Nick, Denver
Nick, I wondered the exact same thing.
For those readers who don’t know, Gossage, who’s from Colorado Springs, at Yankees camp. Gossage has always shot from the hip (or lip) and he certainly spoke his mind this time around.
“Bautista is a (expletive) disgrace to the game,” Gossage told ESPN, in a reference to after hitting a three-run, seventh-inning home run to give the Toronto Blue Jays the lead in Game 5 of the American League division series. “He’s embarrassing to all the Latin players, whoever played before him. Throwing his bat and acting like a fool, like all those guys in Toronto. (New York Mets’ Yoenis) Cespedes, same thing.”
Gossage, 64, also apparently doesn’t like the young men running baseball’s front offices; men who increasingly use computers and analytics to study players and build their teams.
“It is a joke,” Gossage said. “The game is becoming a freaking joke because of the nerds who are running it.
“I’ll tell you what has happened, these guys played rotisserie baseball at Harvard or wherever the (expletive) they went, and they thought they figured the (expletive) game out. They don’t know (expletive).
“A bunch of (expletive) nerds running the game. You can’t slide into second base. You can’t take out the (expletive) catcher because ( San Francisco’s Buster) Posey was in the wrong position and they are going to change all the rules. You can’t pitch inside anymore. I’d like to knock some of these (expletive) on their ass and see how they would do against pitchers in the old days.”
Now, on to your question. Do I think Gossage was taking a direct shot at Bridich? No, I don’t. I just think that Gossage was taking aim at all the Ivy League graduates who are taking their business degrees, computer knowledge and higher education and using it to re-shape baseball’s front offices.
Yes, Bridich went to Harvard. He even played catcher for the Crimson. But I think it’s inaccurate to label Bridich as simply a baseball nerd. He’s spent a lot of time in the game, and while working as the Rockies’ farm director for eight years he saw a lot of players up close.
Rockies Mailbag:
Jon Gray has a new curveball. Everything I’ve read about pitching in Denver says that curveballs don’t break the same at altitude and aren’t effective. Why all the hype about this pitch? I thought the new strategy was fastballs all the time.
— Jim, Orange County, California
Jim, Gray decided to shelve his curveball, at least for the time being.
“Until it’s good enough to where I can locate it and throw it where I want to, I’m not going to use it in the game,” Gray said Saturday after an uneven, three-inning performance against the Milwaukee Brewers. “But I’ll continue to work on it (in bullpens). If (the Rockies) want me to throw it, I’ll throw it. But if it’s in a tough situation where I’m not way ahead of the batter, then I’m going to shake (off) to the slider.”
You are correct when you say that the Rockies’ strategy is about emphasizing power fastballs. Gray, however, wants to develop the curve as a pitch that prevents batters from keying on his fastball or his slider. If a pitcher can throw a good curveball, it keeps hitters off-balance.
over the plate for a strike, but he also wants it to become a chase pitch where hitters swing even as the ball dives into the dirt in front of the plate.
The reason it’s a big deal is because Gray is supposed to be the Rockies’ ace of the future, and that fact that he’s trying something new to change his repertoire is newsworthy.
Patrick, whether or not Jose Reyes gets suspended by MLB, do you think the organization will deal him? It seems like the right thing to do, as he isn’t very impactful and the Rockies have Trevor Story, Christian Adames and Danny-D (Descalso) ready to take over.
— Tyler Paddor, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Much of this depends on what kind of discipline Reyes is given. I’ve heard speculation that he could be suspended up to 80 games — but that’s just speculation.
It’s a problematic situation for Colorado. It owes Reyes $48 million over the next two seasons, although that number would be cut significantly if he’s suspended. It’s easy to say the Rockies should trade Reyes, but who’s going to take him? Especially in the aftermath of domestic violence charges?
The Yankees were interested in trading for Reyes last year and making him their second baseman, but they also wanted the Rockies to pay a big chunk of his contract, something the Rockies were unwilling to do at that time.
Now, considering the situation, the Rockies might be willing to take what they can get for Reyes, pay some of his contract and move on with Story as their No. 1 shortstop.
The Rockies hired Dr. Rick Perera as their mental skills coach last week. Do you think he can help a guy like Tyler Matzek? I am under the impression he just needs a fresh start with a new team. Thanks.
— Matt, Denver
Matt, I’ve had a number of frank discussions with Matzek about his anxiety issues, . I can confidently say that while Dr. Perera might help, I doubt he’s going to fix Matzek quickly. Matzek has seen a number of people about his anxiety and it’s an ongoing process to try and conquer, or cope with, the disorder.
This past Sunday, in fact, to continue deal with his problem.
In my opinion, a fresh start with another team is not going to change what’s going on with Matzek. Reliever Rex Brothers, of his own, was traded to the Cubs but they were unable to fix him. He was released last week.
It’s a very difficult and heartbreaking thing Matzek is going through. I wish him all the best.
Adam Ottavino is coming off Tommy John surgery this season, how is he progressing during spring training? What can we expect from him this year?
— Tony, Littleton
Tony, interesting you should ask. I just sat down with Ottavino this morning for a future story about the ordeal of going through Tommy John surgery.
Ottavino will throw — very lightly — off the mound on Friday. He’ll progress slowly from there. Initial projections were that Ottavino might be able to return to pitching in game sometime around the all-star break. However, that’s a very arbitrary date and Ottavino has set no timetable for himself.
Even if he does come back strong this season, I doubt he would be a late-inning guy until late in the summer.
Do the Rockies have any plans to upgrade the facilities at Coors Field? I think they are in need of a new video board down at 20th and Blake.
— Jen, Denver
Jen, good question. I’ve been told that there are ongoing discussions and that Coors Field will get a new video board in the next few years. Will that happen in 2017 or 2018? That, I don’t know, but it is a topic of discussion at 20th and Blake.
Patrick, do you see any surprises coming out of spring training this year? Thanks.
— Ben, Parker
No huge surprises, Ben. I think Story has forced his way into the starting lineup at shortstop, but I don’t know if that is a surprise.
The addition of veteran reserve outfielder Ryan Raburn was a little surprising, and now he could bump either Brandon Barnes or Rafael Ynoa down to Triple-A.
The biggest surprise? Lefty reliever Jason Gurka, who got shelled in short stint with the Rockies last season (7 2/3 innings, 9.39 ERA), has been very impressive this spring.
If the Rockies need another lefty reliever — and veteran — Gurka, a non-roster invitee, could be the man. Last Saturday, he struck out the side in the eighth inning, and has fanned the last seven batters faced to raise his total to 10 in four innings, over four scoreless outings.
“We’re seeing a pitcher with a lot more confidence than he had last year,” Manager Walt Weiss said. “He knows he belongs, and he’s just a lot more comfortable. He’s on a nice little run.”
As for young prospects who have caught my attention, I would included relievers Antonio Senzatela, Gonzalez Marquez (part of the ) and speedy outfielder Raimel Tapia. I am surprised how much power Tapia generates from his 6-foot-2, 160-pound frame.
Denver Post sports writer Patrick Saunders posts his Rockies Mailbag every other week on Tuesdays during the season.
for the Rockies Mailbag.
