The Denver Post’s Patrick Saunders answered your questions about the in a live Lunch Special chat. Here are the highlights:
Do you think Ryan McMahon will eventually overtake Ian Desmond for the starting first base job? If he does, what happens to the Rockies’ lineup? CarGo to the bench? A four-man platoon in the outfield?
Patrick: I don’t think CarGo goes to the bench. They didn’t bring him back to have him sit.
Yes, he will take a seat against some lefties. I think you will see coming off the bench more than CarGo. If that case, Desmond goes to left and McMahon goes to first.
They have to make sure that McMahon doesn’t “waste away” on the bench.
What’s up to these days? And why didn’t he get re-signed by the Rockies?
Patrick: Mike, as far as I know, Mark is home, here in Arizona, waiting for someone to call. The Rockies had some early contact with him, but decided to move on and go with youth, i.e. Ryan McMahon.
How does Antonio Senzatela look this year? He started slumping a bit after teams began to figure him out last season.
Patrick: Antonio had an up-and-down spring, which is why he will start the season in the bullpen. He’s still searching for that third pitch (a changeup) and his slider is quite where it needs to be.
He’ll be in the rotation at some point.
Is this the year turns the corner and becomes a legit No. 1?
Patrick: Jon Gray, now 26, is on his way to becoming a more complete pitcher than Ubaldo Jimenez ever was in Rockies purple.
I’m all in on Jon Gray this year. If I’m wrong, you can told me “I told you so.”
What do you think the Rockies’ record will be this year?
Patrick: You are putting me on the spot. Here goes: 89-73, second in the NL West and a wild-card berth.
Do you think the Rockies can sign to a big extension or do you think he’ll leave for a bigger market once his current contract runs out?
Patrick: I get this question a lot. And here is my stock answer: If the Rockies prove this season, and next winter, that they can be real contend for a few seasons, then Nolan stays. If the team fails to meet expectations, I think he leaves.
Hey Patrick. First off, great work by you and the entire DP sports team. I subscribe to the Post and am happy to do my small part. If MLB teams named captains like in the NHL, who would get the Rockies’ “C” and “A” on their jerseys? I’m guessing Nolan Arenado and CarGo are in the mix.
Patrick: Thanks for supporting the paper. Tough times for us, but we’re hanging in there.
As for the C and the A, I think CarGo and Nolan are the guys … and maybe .
How’s recovering from his injury? I saw he’s starting the season in Albuquerque. Is there a ultimately a spot for him on the big-league roster?
Patrick: David Dahl is 100 percent and he looked GREAT this spring. I think he has a chance to be the next CarGo.
Rockies shipped him down to get him more at-bats and make sure he’s healthy, though I don’t think that’s an issue. He will be back up … sooner rather than later. Or at least that’s what I think should happen.
The Rockies have had a great history of amazing hitters, from Larry Walker to Todd Helton to Nolan Arenado. Who do you think is the greatest pitcher in team history?
Patrick: Wow, that’s a tough question. I guess I’d have to go with Ubaldo Jimenez, even though it was a short run. I think the Gray Wolf has a chance to be the best ever … if he stays healthy.
Have the Rockies ever opened a season with seven straight on the road? I can remember six, like three at LA and thre at SD, but never seven.
Patrick: I would have to do the research, but I can’t remember seven in a row, plus an off day, on a Sunday, no less. Very weird.
Now that we’re several years on from his retirement, do you think Todd Helton’s Hall of Fame prospects have changed at all (in either direction)?
Patrick: Todd will be eligible in this next class. No way he’s makes it on the first ballot. Indeed it’s going to take him a while to get in.
I think the perception is the same. Great player for the first half of his career, a good player the second half. Icon for a franchise (which will help, a little), but hurt by the stigma.
The Vegas over-under for the Rockies is 82 wins. Does that mean you’re going to bet your retirement nest egg on the team?
Patrick: What retirement nest egg? I’m not a betting man, but I would get the Rockies win more than 82.
What do the Rockies need to do to catch up to the Dodgers? Will they ever be able to compete with their payroll?
Patrick: The Rockies will never compete with the Dodgers payroll. Never. I think the Rockies’ game plan right now is solid. Build a homegrown rotation, spend on the bullpen and put together a solid lineup. That’s where they are right now.
Problem is always about staying healthy.
To phrase a frequent question another way, if heaven forbid we were to lose both both Nolan and Chuck to free agency, who steps in to fill the void and becomes the reason to get butts in seats?
Patrick: David Dahl, Ryan McMahon and Brendan Rodgers are the next wave … how many butts they’ll put in the seats depends on how they develop. Story is a draw, too.
But I’ll tell you what, for entertainment value, it’s tough to beat Nolan and Chuck.
How much does Bud Black plan to use McMahon? Is he a platoon guy at 1st or just a back up. Also is one of the organizations especially Bud Black’s biggest faults not trusting the farm guys like Dahl and McMahon. By going with older guys (Gerardo Parra and Cargo) you could be shortening your contention window.
Patrick: I really don’ t know, yet, how McMahon will be used. We’ll have to see how it plays out.
In regard to Black … he’s old school in the sense that he trusts veterans more than rookies and their potential. He’s got a point.
But you also have to remember that personnel decisions — who’s up, who’s on the farm — are made by the front office as much as they are made by Black. Even more, actually.
Patrick, how’s your confidence in Chris Iannetta? Think he’ll do a good job with the youngsters? (Keep up he good work at the Post! As I mentioned on Twitter I think the local paper coverage/reporters offer the best MLB coverage there is!)
Patrick: From what I can gather so far, Iannetta has formed a strong bond with the young pitchers. I don’t know if he’s a much of a “take-charge guy” as Jonathan Lucroy.
I really thought the Rockies would, and should, re-sign Lucroy. But he turned down three years, $21 million, so that mistake is on him.
I think Iannetta can hit close to 20 homers. I really do.
When do we find out the walk-up songs for the players?
Patrick: This is THE question of spring! We won’t know the songs until the home opener. I’m sure Chuck Nasty’s will be the same … not sure about the others.
By the way, Rockies will unveil the giant new video board next week and the sound system is touted to be much better.
It doesn’t look like the Wolf Pack has taken off as a nickname for the young starters. Think the others would be happy with one based on Jon Gray’s nickname?
Patrick: I do think they would like it, but Gray and the whole staff have to earn a nickname that cool.
By the way, the Gray Wolf wants the “howls” back at Coors when he strikes somebody out.
How much of your game stories are written during the game, and how much time do you have after the game before your deadline?
Patrick: We are constantly writing and re-writing during the game. In addition to tweeting out terrible puns about Jake Lamb.
Anyway, I will usually write about half during the game, but so many times it all gets turned on it’s head late in the game, especially at Coors Field. So then I have to do a re-write, sometimes using multiple screens with different versions. Story has to be in within five minutes of game’s end. Sometimes I have to file by the eighth inning and then update.
Some of my best work never sees the light of day.
Sorry if you’ve already answered this, but what are you predicting for Greg Holland? Resign with Rox or find a new team around June maybe?
Patrick: I have now answered a question on Holland. No, the Rockies are not an option. At this point, maybe the Cardinals or even the Giants, depending on Mark Melancon’s health.
He turned down a big Rockies offer. Big mistake.
Do you have any big concerns about the Rockies going into the season?
Patrick: My biggest concern, as it is with any team, is the starting pitching. This corps has a chance to be good, but it has to stay healthy. And there were signs during spring training that troubled me. Too many pitches up in the zone, too many deep counts.
As Bud Black as mentioned several times, the kids aren’t going to sneak up on anybody this year. They’ll have to “counter punch,” because a book is out on them now.
Bud Black is a big proponent of off.speed pitches. How has the rotation developed over the winter?
Patrick: You’re right Black likes off-speed stuff, because he likes pitchers, not just “throwers.”
I think you will use a better curveball from Jon Gray, an improved changeup from German Marquez and a better fastball from a healthy .
I’m most worried about the lack for fastball command this spring from . He’s got an excellent changeup, but it doesn’t do any good if he doesn’t set it up with a fastball.
Last I saw Matt Holiday was also unsigned? Are you surprised? (I don’t think he’d be a fit with the Rox.)
Patrick: I’m not that surprised that Holliday is not signed. He’s an aging slugger and he’s limited to a DH role at this point in his career.
However, if there are injuries, you never know. But he’s not coming to Colorado.
With spring training in the rear-view mirror, any favorite behind the scenes moment(s) with the players?
Patrick: I think watching the Rockies doubles ping pong tournament was great. Those guys are really good and incredibly competitive. Charlie and Nolan really got after each other.
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