T-minus 30 days until spring training

Where did the offseason go?  It seemed like just yesterday the Rockies where hanging it up on a great season and now the ides of March are quickly approaching.  In these times of mourning for the Broncos, intermitant frustration over the Nuggets and Aves, and vast respect for it seems like every minor league team in the state, I began wondering about how the Rockies were doing in there offseason.  I know, I know, this is pro-ball, what offseason?

I’ll start with what we lost so we can see if we need back.  In order of my determination of how valuable they were (minus the numerous minor league departure no one could give a crap about), we lost:

Kazou Matsui, unrestricted free agent signing by the Houston Astros, 3 Years.  I know we have plenty of infielders to replace him and his batting average in merely above average at Coors, but I’m gonna miss his speed at the top of the order.  If Willie gets hurt next year, who will be steal bases for us. Unfortunately his speed is probably irreplaceable. 

LaTroy Hawkins, released, signed 1 year deal with New York Yankees.  The guy was just out of our price range it’s a shame, but hard throwing right hand relievers are a dime a dozen.  We can survive this.

Elmer Dessens, unrestricted free agent, tendered Minor league contract and spring training invitation by Pittsburgh.  Another guy we’ll miss but really not care about.  Could start, could relieve, not much power, good movement, bottom line: replaceable.

Bob Keppel, released, tendered Minor league contract and spring training invitation by Florida.  The guys useless, glad to be rid of him.  Young though, has potential to be good someday.

Tom Martin, released, unsigned.  His career may be over.  Good, baseball has no time for those who crack under pressure.

Jeff Mabry, released, unsigned.  His career may be over too.  Just to old to get in done any more.

Really just the right handed depth in the bullpen is gone, but every team loses and replaces almost all of the right handed bullpen talent every year.  If we could just find a quick infielder to steal bases.  Onward to the trades:

Denny Bautista to Detroit for Jose Capellan.  Righty reliever for righty reliever, basic both team had players with potential they were tied of wasting time on and thought maybe a change of scenery might fix one or both.   A wash.

Jamey Carroll to Cleveland for a player to be named.  Another quick infielder gone?  I hope you know what your doing O’Dowd.  I’d like the player to be named to be a lefty reliever or a base stealer.

That’s it for the trades thus far, here are our orphans (players whose contracts have expired but have not resigned yet):

Josh Fogg, probably out of our price range.  He overachieved here so someone will think he can overachieve somewhere else.  Unless some eleventh hour deal comes through, I’m gonna miss the hard working guy.

Jeremy Affeldt.  Once again, someone with offer him more than he’s worth.  Maybe O’Dowd will realize how much left handed relievers are worth (even average ones), but I wouldn’t hold my breath.  

 Jorge Julio.  I know he’s not the most popular guy in Denver, and he crack under pressure like in infrastructure in Minnesota, but during the big stretch of game that “don’t matter”, this guy’s solid.  Plus with his resent suckatude, he’ll be a steal.  If I were O’Dowd, I’d buy.

Rodrigo Lopez.  Once again, solid enough to be worth something and not well known enough to be in demand.  And since we currently have but 5 starting pitcher of whom 2 are rookies, I’d buy. 

Steve Finley.  Useless.

We resigned some players so the signs won’t be that bad:

Yorvit Torealba, 2 Year deal, 3rd year mutual option.  It was either sign him or another veteran catcher who would be as good.   Thank God the Mets haven’t don’t a thing right since Jose Reyes.

Mark Redman, 1 Year deal.  Solid signing, will head up the front of the bullpen and be the swing starter for injures.

Matt Herges, 1 year deal, possible suspension pending for Mitchell Report.  Who knows what will happen in baseball for all the implicated cheaters.  In either case, I like the signing as Herges can deal.  By the way, why does Congress want to get involved with baseballs dirty laundry.  The government has no jurisdiction here either than arrest people with illegal narcotics.  So if the cop want to start raiding club houses that’s one thing, but a bunch of old men, who should be simplifying the tax code and debating how much security at the border in necessary, shouldn’t be telling a private enterprise how to deal with it’s skeletons.  My theory is congress has grown unpopular with masses recently, probably because it says it will accomplish other things than it intends too, and it’s trying to get back on the public’s good side by fixing something normal people care more about than DMV lines.  There thinking being, if they devote energy to baseball, the taxpayers will forget that their doing nothing (Because their obviously doing something.  Forget about war funding and energy supplies, your taxes must save America’s Favorite Pastime!).  It’s only a matter of time until we get the monthly congressional who’s hot, who’ not list. 

So now we see what we’re missing.  First, I think we need speed in the lineup.  We’re still loaded with good hitters, and power hitters, both in the lineup and on the bench; once again if Willie goes down again who’s bunting and steal bags.  Second, a Second baseman, though we have many candidates that won’t be quite as good as Kaz, but sufficient.  We could probably use another two starting pitchers, one righty one lefty.  And the unavoidably revamping of the bullpen must take place.  We did sign five free agents thus far:

Luis Vizcaino, Right Handed Reliever, free agent from Yankees, 2 year deal, 3rd year club option.  This guys pretty good hard fastball and good movement on his curve.  We’ll see if he can pitch at altitude.  My only beef is it seems, though not exclusively, broken players needing a home come to Colorado and excel, while established players come to Colorado and die.  Luis is well established, I hope he doesn’t follow the path of Hampton and Neagle. 

Kip Wells, right handed starting pitcher, free agent signing from Cardinals, 1 year deal.  Speaking of broken players needing a home, Kip had a terrible season last year, and is prime for a rebound.  He could be a nice trade if he doesn’t pan out.

Marcus Giles, 2B, free agent from Padres, Minor league contract and spring training invite.  Once again great player a few years ago who took a nose dive and need to come back.  With the contract we offered him it’s a no risk situation.  Plus he has averaged 13 stolen bases the last four year even while slumping.  That not that impressive but it’s respectable.

Matt Kata, Utility Player, free agent from Pirates, Minor league contract and spring training invite.  Once again, no risk situation.  Maybe with the wide open spaces of Coor’s field his batting average could go up.

Micah Bowie, Right Handed Reliever, free agent from Nationals, Minor league contract and spring training invite.  One more zero risk signing.  He could be some help in the middle of the season if we get slammed with injuries.

So that’s the movers and the shakers so far this off-season.  We still need some lefthanded help, both in the starters role and in the pen.  But the bulk of this team will be in tact.  Oh, and let me close by reminding you of 2B Jayson Nix.  He was MVP of the Arizona fall league.  He’s 25 so this is basically his last chance at the pros so he’ll be motivated.  If he does well in the spring, he’ll be there on opening day between Todd and Tulo.  He is our only rookie who has a real shot this year.