Comments on: Penny Looking for Work

By: Zach

Zach — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 20:00:50 +0000

Don’t get me wrong, I’ve got nothing against Brad Penny. Even though he has a reputation for his temper, he was one of the most feared pitchers in the NL West a couple of years ago. He beat the Rockies in just about every start he made against them. So I wouldn’t be worried at all if we signed him. If we did, the Rockies would have a fifth starter who could come in and give us a shot at winning.

I think signing Brad Penny would be a better idea than letting Russ Ortiz go out there. No doubt. I’d rather see even Jhoulys Chacin or one of the younger AAA guys out there than Ortiz. Let Fogg stay in the pen, he’s been much more effective in the long-relief role. By letting him start, it’s expected of him to give six solid innings of work, and he didn’t get that done. Plus, it would be thousands of times better if we signed Penny than if the Giants did.

By: frank

frank — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 22:57:35 +0000

The way we are hitting in streaks in troublesome So give me another veteran who has been in the trenches. I’ll take Penny, he knows the league and will be able to keep the Roxs in games. Our cupboard is bare in the minors, there is no one down there that can help this year or next. Solidify the last spot in the rotation, instead of trying ot piece meal it together. Now if Penny could hit.

By: raysfan

raysfan — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 20:29:59 +0000

Rich Harden was claimed off waivers. Looks like he is going to the Minnesota Twins

By: Brian H

Brian H — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 19:44:39 +0000

Why not Franklin Morales?

Simple… he does better in the bullpen role, significantly. The same argument can be made of Fogg right now, but… he’s also a power lefty. We have two left handers in the bullpen. I wouldn’t be comfortable with having just one in the pen. What if you need them on consecutive nights?

By: Ryan

Ryan — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 19:10:24 +0000

Completely agree with Agbayani on the Penny issue. The clubhouse poison issue doesn’t worry me very much. Even if it is true (and, honestly, I get really confused when things like that come up among fans. How the hell do we know what goes on in a clubhouse?) it’s only for a month, and I doubt a guy would come to a playoff-contending team and try to earn a contract by alienating his teammates to the point that they start losing games. (Again, if that even happens. I don’t really care how the guy is off the field if he brings it on the field, and I’d think most professional baseball players see it that way too. We all have coworkers we dislike. They don’t make us do a worse job.)

As for Tracy’s point about Fogg, I really didn’t want the Rockies to bring him back when everyone was clamoring for it but, hey. It’s true that many were. It’s a problem for teams to become too attached to former players (Matt Herges belongs in this discussion too.) With a guy like Fogg or Jennings or Herges, I think you have to say “we appreciate your contribution, but so long.” What’s important is winning games now. This is why Chacin or another young pitcher ought to be given the starts.

For that matter, why not Franklin Morales?

By: Reader f/k/a Mike

Reader f/k/a Mike — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 15:19:25 +0000

It sounds like the team’s not going for Penny. I don’t think his “chemistry” issues would be a problem, but it seems the team disagrees. Supposedly he was well-liked in the Boston clubhouse. I don’t think his issues are that he’s a jerk, it’s that he’s seen as not being tough and dedicated enough to reach his potential. Not that that’s a good thing, but if you decide he’s good enough to help you short-term as-is, that sort of thing should be ok in the context of what’s already a tight team.

Fogg isn’t great, but isn’t as bad as Wednesday. Maybe they can squeak by the next couple starts by having an extra pitcher on hand and a quicker hook. Have Fogg and someone else ready in a sort of tandem start, try to get 5-6 innings out of them.

By: Townie

Townie — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 10:08:27 +0000

Amen, Agbayani. Amen.

It’s obviously not going to happen, but the Rockies clubhouse should be strong enough to absorb a Brad Penny. He’s not Milton Bradley or Brandon Marshall. He’s a mild personality compared to those guys. And I personally don’t see how he could threaten team chemistry pitching 5-6 innings every 5th day.

The Rockies will be kicking themselves if he goes to San Francisco and solidifies their 5th rotation spot. I think that’s where he’s headed.

By: Agbayani

Agbayani — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 07:00:40 +0000

Oh, and I gather that George Frazier is some kind of personal friend, plus Penny would be playing for a contract. So I’m not at all worried about the “clubhouse poison” thing.

By: Agbayani

Agbayani — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 06:59:44 +0000

Penny would be a fine acquisition. I don’t get what the Red Sox are doing. Already it looks like they may have jumped the gun on Smoltz. Penny is not the Rockie-killer Penny of old, but he did have a 4.40 FIP for the Sox this year. And (checking fangraphs) his average fastball was still at 94 — better than it’s been for several years. (Granted, he may have shown signs of wearing down in the last few starts; I didn’t see them. But he’ll probably freshen up a bit after a short layoff.) He doesn’t have the endurance to go beyond 80 pitches or so, but it will be September, and I fully expect the Rox to add 2-3 relievers to the roster. Bottom line: it’s not like acquiring Sabathia for the pennant run, but it’s a whole, whole lot better than watching Fogg or (heaven forbid) Russ Ortiz trot out there every 5th day.

Get it done!

By: Drew S.

Drew S. — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 04:08:12 +0000

I say no to Penny. I think Hynick deserves a shot and why risk the clubhouse disturbance this late in the season.