Wheeler leads Salt River with a grand slam
Tim Wheeler homered for the first time in the Arizona Fall League, going 2-for-6 with a sixth-inning grand slam that put Salt River up for good in a 13-6 win Monday.
First baseman Ben Paulsen was 4-for-6 with a double, an RBI and a run scored. Reliever Casey Weathers picked up the win with a one-two-three fifth inning. Parker Frazier allowed one run on two hits and three walks in two innings.
In five games, Wheeler is hitting .261 with a home run and eight RBI. Paulsen is hitting .389 with a double and three RBI in four games. Nolan Arenado, who was off Monday, is hitting .294 with three doubles with four RBIs in four games.
Among pitchers, Weathers is 1-0 with a 3.38 in three appearances. Frazier is 1-0 with a 1.80 ERA in three games. Joe Gardner allowed two unearned runs in two innings in his one appearance on Saturday. Rob Scahill has yet to pitch.
The way Wheeler is playing and what Blackmon has showed the Rockies, not to mention what Parker has done. Its time to lose Spilly, Fowler and EY Jr. Right front office!!!
I’m not ready to move Fowler after his performance the last part of this past season, especially because Blackmon is a #4 or #5 outfielder and Wheeler probably starts the season at AAA (although hopefully we’ll see him with the Rockies the last part of the season). I’m OK with not resigning Spilly. I don’t think that EY should, barring injuries, make the team out of spring training (sorry Pooter).
Sorry I don’t see the outfield decisions the same way at all. If Wheeler or Blackmon can pushh the issue, then potentially the Rockies can make a trade with Smith. Blackmon and Wheeler are not the same type of players that Spilly, Fowler and EY2 are. For one thing we need more right handed bats NOT fewer.
I know that we don’t exactly need LH bats in the outfield, but if we traded Smith wouldn’t Grady Sizemore be intriguing? Of course he is a huge injury risk, but he would fill the lead off hole. If he is available relatively cheap and on a short term contract, he would be very intriguing.
Rich M, I agree with you. If Wheeler and Blackmon can show that they are ready to be major leaguers, then Smith can become trade bait. If he is to be traded, let’s do it before his trade value declines. I was thinking that Smith might be a mid year trade versus a winter trade, but it would be great to see Wheeler and Blackmon push the issue. Also, you are right, we need to come up with a right handed outfielder. I am assuming that is coming from outside of the current roster.
Prog I would love to see the Rockies take a gamble on Sizemore. That’s some real talent there if he can just stay on the field. Now if the Rockies can find that power right handed bat for left field (Willingham type) as well – then wow!
That would be Cargo, Sizemore and Willingham with Smith and Fowler as your reserves – and I like that OF group a bunch. If Blackmon or Wheeler are ready for the MLB (I am just not convinced yet) then Fowler or Smith could be trade bait.
Oh and I almost forgot that Willingham could also be the right handed platoon with Helton at first base, making Giambi and Wigginton expendable and tradable respectively as well.
It would be a dream to find 2 OF good enough to replace Smith AND Fowler, but thats not happening. We’ll be lucky to get 1 to simply split time. I’m not convinced they’ll do anything at all with the OF, to be honest. I’m betting we bring the same 4 back including Spilly.
Why Prog? These two moves (Sizemore & Willingham) are not that expensive even along with resigning Ellis at second base, and you simply make do with the internal options that the Rockies already have at third base (Stewart, Nelson, Pacheco, etc).
Even so, Wright would nice at third base, but that move is going to be really really expensive, so as usual with the Rockies it is probably one deal that doesn’t get made.
Then somehow acquire that affordable innings eater starting pitcher and DanO can go play some winter golf because his off season work will be done!
I see Sizemore getting $4-5m and Willingham $6m per year. I just don’t think the Rockies will open the wallet that much…unless they get someone to eat almost all of Wiggy’s contract.
Sounds about right on those numbers Prog. They will save $8 to $9 million on Cook, trade Wiggy and Smith, save 20% on Stewart (or let him go) etc, and through some creativity they could get them both with no to slight increase. I thought Willingham said he wanted to return to Oakland.