Now’s the Time for Rockies — Updated
SAN DIEGO – Feel a little on edge about the way the Rockies have been playing so far this season?
So does manager Clint Hurdle.
A month into the season and Hurdle admits what he sees is not what he wants, and he’s not buying the idea that there are plenty of games remaining on the schedule.
The Rockies go into Tuesday’s series finale in San Diego at 10-14, last in the NL West, percentage points back of the Padres and Diamondbacks.
“I don’t consider it early,’’ said Hurdle. “I think it is time to move on. It is time to play good baseball. I’m not going to sit on my hands for 40 games and then go from there. We have a good team and we need to expect to play like a good team.’’
And that’s why Hurdle has been mixing and matching from Day 1, looking for ways to answer questions.
Sometimes, however, that gets skewed by a media quick to claim expertise and insight, and unable to follow the natural progression of events.
On Monday Hurdle reiterated what had been said for the three previous days that he is still going to mix and match at second base and in left field. Somehow that got portrayed as Hurdle trying to create stability, raising the idea that there was playing unrest as the lineup uncertainty.
In reality, it was merely a reaffirmation that Dexter Fowler had shown he belongs as the primary center fielder.
And that was underscored on Tuesday when Hurdle moved Brad Hawpe into the cleanup spot, dropping struggling Garrett Atkins to No. 5. That gave the Rockies three consecutive left-handed hitters — Seth Smith, Todd Helton and Hawpe — but with Arturo Lopez the only left-hander in the Padres bullpen that combination isn’t as concerning.
It’s not like Hurdle was drawing names out of a hat. Since Opening Day he had been using flexibility with center field, left field and second base to keep bench players involved. Fowler showed that as well as being the team’s best defensive outfielder and one legitiamte speed player, he could hold his own offensively, which was the question that had to be answered.
It was nothing more than the evolution of a young player, similar to 1997 when Todd Helton opened the season in a platoon at first base with Greg Colbrunn, and steadily laid claim to the job on an every-day basis.
So now it is basically Ryan Spilborghs and Seth Smith sharing left field, and Clint Barmes and Ian Stewart expected to get time at second base. Stewart was given a few days off before being reinserted into the lineup on Tuesday, Hurdle hoping a point had been made. Stewart has been struggling agaisnt right-handed pitchers, taking a passive approach that doesn’t befit his power.
Stewart was given a couple “work days” to revaluate his situation, underscored by the fact he had been thrown 100 fastball strikes and 43 of them were fastballs he took.
The most dramatic decisions Hurdle has made have been with the closer. Huston Street started the season in that role. Ten days later, Manny Corpas replaced him. Then, last week, Street was returned to the ninth-inning role, and Corpas, whose struggle actually began at the start of last season, was put into a less intense role with the hope that some extra work and extended innings might help him regain his lethal slider and swagger.
“I have changed closers twice and I don’t think either one had blown a save at that time,’’ said Hurdle. “I don’t know of anybody who has done that, but I deal with what my eyes are telling me.’’
The view of late has been rather distinct. Street has moved from the first base side of the pitcher’s rubber to the middle, making it more difficult for right-handed hitters to see the ball out of his hand, and is throwing strikes. Corpas, meanwhile, gives almost a lethargic appearance, can’t finish off hitters and has seen his slider go flat.
“We’ve got to get him going,’’ said Hurdle. “We saw what he is capable of in the last half of `07 (when he was the closer on the Rockies World Series team).’’
So far, Hurdle admits, the Rockies haven’t shown what they are capable of as a team. They did rally for a 9-6 victory against San Diego on Monday, the first time in 13 games this year that they won a game in which they either trailed or were tied after six innings.
They, however, are haunted by an 0-7 record in one-run games, which Hurdle doesn’t even try and obscure.
“A good team wins it’s share of one-run games,’’ said Hurdle. “We know that. We know we have a good team. We need to play like a good team.’’
That means they need shutdown performances from starters. They need relievers to provide relieve. And hitters to deliver in the clutch.
What they don’t need to do is get caught up in the amazing start of the Dodgers, who went into Tuesday night looking to equal a major-league record by winning their first 12 home games.
That’s something the Rockies can’t control – unless not now. They had a chance to have a say on that matter, but blew it on three consecutive days last month.
Hey Tracy,
This sort of reporting is exactly why you’re in the Hall of Fame.
A baseball season comes in stages.
Your ability to capture that — to put where the team is in perspective at this point — is a rare talent.
The key to being a good print reporter is asking the right questions. That, clearly, is what made this article rise above all the other thousands of words written about the 2009 edition of the Rockies.
Great stuff.
As a reader, just wanted to let you know it’s appreciated.
Tony Benjamin,
Loveland
Tracy
Have to agree with the above post (Tracy and Jack report the story they dont try and be the story) and with Tracy’s comment about the way the media is interpreting Hurdle’s words. We knew before the season began that Helton would get days off with Atkins moving over and Stewart (or Baker when healthy) moving to 3B. We knew Iannetta was going to catch 4-5 days a week. The big change was Fowler taking over CF. Its no big deal that Hurdle says he will only play with 2B and LF (along with sitting struggling players like Tulo last week).
Maybe the West is impossible to win if the Dodgers play well and stay healthy (not being able to sign Hudson because of the cost hurts, but a team has a budget). But we are only 3 out of the WC, and given that the teams in the East and Central will be hammering on each other all season, if the ship gets righted, we can still have a good season. Only 2 wins out of your #1 and #2? We know this will get better.
I still wonder about Atkins though. Tracy has been right that Stewart has been slumpping and Baker is on the DL. But his offense has to carry his D (this year is seems like a lot of baseball writers are saying in the post steroids era that defense and basestealing are once again important to teams) and for the past season and 1 month he has not hit well with RISP. This hurts his trade value and creates a huge hole for the offense with substandard D (though his play in the game late sunday on the slow roller was very nice). Lower budget teams (and we are over 70 million folks, we are not the Marlins or Pirates) cannot afford too many holes. If Baylor can get Garrett righted and the #1 and #2 pitch like they can, the playoffs are still a real possibility.
Tracy, any word on why Atkins has been in post 2007 slump with runners on? Is this the more realistic Atkins? Is there any talent on the farm to push Stewart? I know we saw a lot of Christian Colonel in spring, but he is rated as a back-up IF by the scouts.
Well said…
It seems to be a common thread here and elsewhere to bang on Atkins. While the stats speak for themselves in terms of last year and a half with RISP, he is also one of the top five (I believe) in stats for 3rd baseman avg and production over the past 4 years? I havent done the research but I believe I have heard this. But with his contract each year in making more, more pressure is put on him to perform. He does need to have a .290 25hr 100rbi season and hit much better with RISP. The season is no longer early and he must perform better but so must the rest of the team. 2007 is over and we are in 2009 now. Thus the urgency for change right now.
So I agree, (not that he needs my help) with Hurdle in platooning the two positions of LF and 2B. With the Rockies being in the national league they will continue to have double switches and all of the top 10 position players will get at bats. Quintanilla and Baker may get fewer and fewer, so how fresh they can remain is going to be hard.
This team should jump up in team avg over the next nine games and position itself in a wild card fight. As for LA, I am not sold on the overuse of Broxton right now. I wonder about his long term health in Aug and Sept. The West can still be won but we shall see how the next nine games go.
Atkins is hitting a lot better with RISP than with the bases empty:
(BA/OBP/SLG)
RISP: .265/.350/.382
Bases empty: .184/.244/.289
The problem is neither set of numbers is very good. HOwever, since April 21 (not counting tonight’s game):
.302/.388/.465
Maybe he had an off-year last year. It happens. We usually try to derive greater meaning out of a change over 215 plate appearances–sometimes it’s aging, sometimes it’s an injury, sometimes the player is going through a divorce. But often it’s just the normal fluctuation of a player’s career.
I get a bad feeling about Atkins. As Hurdle likes to say, you’ve got to look at the back of the bubble gum card. Is 2008 the fluke year or is 2006? I think he’s more like a .290, 20hr, 95RBI type of guy. That’s not good enough when you hit in the middle of the lineup and you play half your games at Coors. How many third baseman has the organization moved to other positions because they were going to be blocked by Atkins? He will not be worth the salary that he commands in his free agent years, but can the owners afford to trade another high profile player and get little in return? I suspect the organization was shopping him in the off season and they found out that everyone else figures he would be a below average third baseman playing anywhere else. I think O’Dowd has made a mistake by holding on to Atkins for this long.
I’ve got to tell it like it is here. This is not the kind of column that befits a Hall of Fame writer.
But this is what we see with the Dead Man Walking that is the newspaper industry. At our sole surviving newspaper, Renck (let’s face it, not Tracy Ringolsby’s equal in stature or knowledge) is trying to emerge as a commenter (and probably trying to get the TV/Radio/Web outside jobs that come with it) by being “controversial.” Tracy, no need to take the bait here. Renck’s take on the Rockies situation is ill-informed. To me it matters not one bit whether Barmes starts 2/3 of the time at 2B or whether Stewart starts 2/3 of the time. What Stewart gives you in a potential power bat Barmes gives you in far superior glove work. I’m not shy at all about criticizing Hurdle. In fact, to me it is inexcusable to give an inferior player the majority of the playing time over a better player. (That’s exactly what happened last year with Torrealba/Iannetta and Taveras/Spilborghs.) But let’s face facts: right now I can’t tell you whether the club is better or worse with Barmes instead of Stewart at 2B; they’re both incomplete as second basemen, Barmes because he’s a wildly streaky (and in the long run subpar) hitter, Stewart because the 2B thing is a fun project but everybody knows he doesn’t belong there. So mix and match howerver you see fit, Mr. Hurde. Renck’s whole “lack of a stable lineup” thing is just plain silly. You get platoons and part-timers when you have players with serious flaws, and that’s what we’ve got.
Falling out of all contention fast (and we’re about a month away from that unless things change really soon) isn’t the worst thing in the world. It should focus Dan O’Dowd’s attention. Look, Jeff Baker has zero trade value. Don’t hold onto him like he’s a precious gem. If you think you know better than 29 other GMs, clear a spot for him and see that he plays everyday. Otherwise, let him go. We pretty much know what we have in Garret Atkins: Casey Blake of the Rockies. Even before free agency, he’s probably a bit overpaid (Blake will make $2 million less this year as a free agent). Ergo, very little trade value. Move him for what you can get, and let Stewart play 3B every day. Let Fowler play just like you are now. If he slumps badly, give him some AAA time. With 3 OF spots, there’s plenty of at bats to give Smith/Fowler/Spilly all a chance to prove what they can do, so no need to panic there. Send Omar Quintanilla packing; it’s ridiculous to use a roster spot for a second utility infielder. Barmes is better at that role.
It’s make your mind up time for Hurdle and O’Dowd. I get the feeling that they’re not really trying to win this year, hoping that kids like Stewart and Fowler (and Jimenez and Morales for that matter) have better years in front of them. And that’s o.k.; we may not be at that point in the competitive cycle. But given the axe hanging over their heads, they’re afraid to commit to building for 2010-2012 by freeing up regular jobs for guys like Stewart. They’re trying to have it both ways.
How many third baseman has the organization moved to other positions because they were going to be blocked by Atkins?
Good question, how many? Are you referring to Baker? Andy Tracy? (Neither of whom were hot prospects.) Stewart (who hasn’t really been moved)?
If you’re going to move someone like Atkins, don’t you have to find someone better, or at least close?
BTW, Blake is 6 years older.
Agbayani, you cover a lot of ground there and make interesting points. One does wonder what Hurdle and O’Dowd are up to in a strategic sense. OTOH, if they’re only signed through 2009, I can’t really blame them for hoping for magic.
Someone like Beane would probably look at the roster, and decide it is time to get what value they can out of guys like Barmes (29), Atkins (29), Street, Spilly (29) and Hawpe (30) and rebuild around Fowler, Iannetta, Tulo, etc. However, guys like Beane also have support of ownership for such plans.
So maybe it’s make-up-your-mind time for the Monforts.
BTW, why drop Baker this year? He’s still cheap and able to fill in at multiple positions. Who would you bring in instead? If you drop Q and make Barmes the backup, who plays 2nd?
I agree that the “instability in the lineup” stuff is nonsense. If they were winning, I’m sure you’d see the lineup solidify in a hurry (as it was in the 2007 stretch run). There’s nothing wrong with a little competition when you’re losing – it creates urgency and sends the message that a starting job is earned EVERY DAY.
The Rockies are figuring it out. They are showing signs that they are ready to hit on all cylinders. They had better hurry up and make it happen though, they are about two weeks away from it being too late.
The Dodgers will crumble. Their bullpen is not strong getting to Broxton. Their front end starters are good, but beyond that, does anyone really believe that Jeff Weaver and Eric Stults are going to win a division?
If the Rockies right the ship…quickly…they are still in a decent position to make a move.
That said, they need to hurry up and make it happen.
Atkins is clearly on the decline. His numbers prove it, enough said!! .240 hitters don’t belong in the 4 spot and don’t deserve a good free agent deal! The Rox can’t trade him soon enough in my opinion. Ian Stewart has struggled this year and he gets critisized for it by Hurdle and company. Atkins struggles and he is just going through a rough spot. I understand Atkins has a track record but come on, he isn’t hitting worth a crap right now. They talk about Corpas not figuring it out for a 1 1/2 now, well Atkins is in the same boat. His average with RISP is horrible. Hurdle always talks about “quality at bats”, swinging at the first 2-3 pitches all the time and grounding out to the left side is hardly a quality at bat. And when he does get deep in the count it has been ending in strikeouts quite a bit. Trade him now Rox and let Stewart prove he belongs just like they are doing with Fowler. The worst that can happen is Stewart struggles hitting(which is what Atkins is doing) but he provides a huge upgrade defensively.
I’m baffled as to why Hurdle is still the manager. We were told that getting off to a good start was imperative. Only the Detroit Lions would consider this a good start. Not that it’s all his fault, the players have to preform, but some of his moves are confusing. Last night Barmes came in for Stewart for defensive purposes (or at least that was what Drew Goodman said) when the game was tied 1-1. Don’t you make those moves when you are winning. Or move Stewart to 3rd, put Barmes in the 4th spot. Makes no sense unless Stewart was hurt. Obviously leaving Daily in to pitch a 2nd inning backfired, especially when Grilli was ready. A new voice is needed and I think that Tracy or Baylor should be promoted as soon as possible. And I’m still confused that they got rid of all those coaches and kept Apodoca. Pitchers don’t make enough progress under him. Certainly we can see that in Jimenez and Corpus
Bill, I would suggest the move with Barmes was not becuase of defense. Had the move been made for defense then Stewart would have been placed at third base. My feeling is the move was probably made because the at-bats were a continuation of the non-aggressive approach that has created concerns.
As for staying with Daley, he had done nothing to indicate an inability to get outs. And to think that he is only capable of facing two batters would be concerning. He needs to be able to go back out a second time and pitch some innings.
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