Comments on: Rockies have contract flexibility

By: Tracy Ringolsby

Tracy Ringolsby — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 12:19:36 +0000

David, there are two major concerns about Koshanksy — bat speed and agility. The bat is what scouts call slider speed, and the first challenge any hitter has to meet in the big leagues is to show he can consistently hit top quality fastballs. He works hard in the field, but defense is something that he has to continue to work to improve.

By: David

David — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 04:22:45 +0000

Tracy,

I just read MLB.com’s article about the Rockies’ top prospects, and one burning question arises: what are the Rockies going to do with Joe Koshansky? He’s getting old for AAA, so why haven’t the Rockies brought him up consistently? Is he one of those minor league power hitters who can’t hit breaking balls or is he going to force Todd Helton out?

By: Matt

Matt — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 08:01:32 +0000

Marc, no offense taken! I guess my comment about GA wanting to be a Rockie is more reflective of how he is handling the situation. Everyone can see the writing on the wall that GA won’t be with the club for years to come. What I’m happy with is that he’s not pulling a Manny and trying to force a trade. He doesn’t seem to be pulling the Holliday/ Boras game either. I guess he just seems to go about his work in a classier way than some other prominent players. Tracy- could you thank GA for me for being classier than some of his peers?

Regardless, I think we should include him in a package that will net a quality arm. Stewie clearly can hit lhp, so I don’t know why having a right handed bat is so important. Shouldn’t the question be whether you have someone who can hit left handed pitching rather than from which side he hits from?!

By: Marc

Marc — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 23:44:45 +0000

Atkins would sign a long term deal if he wanted to remain a Rockie.
No disrespect Matt but I don’t suspect he’ll be here for a very long time.
In the offseason the thought of moving him bugged me. Today, as I look at the rotation and the pieces to replace him (Ian) – I could digest trading him

By: Brian

Brian — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 22:54:01 +0000

I understand what you are saying Tracy, but at some point Stewart getting shipped to the minors every year has got to be more damaging to him than getting regular playing time. Getting 4 AB’s a game against AAA pitching cannot be more beneficial than spending time around big league players and producing in the majors. Stewart has to know he has more talent than over 90% of the big league roster but he could be shipped out because he has an option left? I just can’t see that is a good thing for his development.

If he needs regular AB’s, get him out there against the Rockies pitchers when he doesn’t start and have them throw him real situational AB’s before the game with velocity and breaking pitches. That way he gets AB’s against major league pitchers and not journeymen in AAA.

By the way..LOVE this site!

By: Tracy Ringolsby

Tracy Ringolsby — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 22:03:13 +0000

I think the key with Stewart has to be how much playing time he gets. If he isn’t going to get enough the Rockies are better off keeping him getting regular at-bats and then if a new for extended time develops Stewart would be ready to step in.

By: Brian

Brian — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 21:40:55 +0000

There’s no way Q should make the team over Stewart. It’s nice to have that glove at the end of the game but he brings no offensive punch to the bench. Stewart has shown he can handle lefthanders which makes him a dual offensive threat either starting or off the bench.

Baker can handle the 2B backup duties, Barmes can slide over to SS to backup there, and both Baker and Stewart can backup 3B. There is no need for Q and his .226 career average to take up a roster spot that could be used for a future star.

By: Matt

Matt — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 21:25:41 +0000

So, I was wondering about our surplus of quality 3b and seemingly lack of quality pitching depth on the front end. Does anyone think with A-Rod’s latest drama that the Rox could pry away a Phillip Hughes for Atkins?
It seems the reasons to keep Atkins are that he’s a proven rh batter, and the backup for Helton at 1b. He’s also a steadying veteran presence and seems to genuinely want to remain a Rockie (at least right now).

However, it also seems like Stewie is very capable of hitting LHP, as well as RHP. Murton is pretty hot this spring too, thus another rh batting option.

I realize that this is beating a dead horse, but wouldn’t it seem like a natural fit for both the Yanks and the Rox to talk a pitching/3b swap?

By: Roland

Roland — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 20:40:42 +0000

I hope Quintanilla doesn’t make the team out of spring over Stewart, he’s a nice little player, but come on! Tulo should be ready to play just about everyday and Barmes can move over to spell him when he needs a rest. I think Stewart will get enough at bats and you can’t yet count on Helton to play everyday.