***Official Colorado Rockies Offseason Thread*** (1 Viewer)

[rascal]

They resigned Aaron Cook to a four year contract which I think is a good move. They also resigned Matt Herges who is solid out of the pen. They also "traded" with the Yankees (Hawkins for Vizcaino) and I think the Rockies got the better end of that.

Unfortunately they lost Fogg (IMO he was a real solid #4) and Matsui who is a good 2B.

It looks like they anticipate Morales to be the #4 pitcher with Hirsh being #5. IMO the signings of Wells and Redman are emergency options only in case one of the younger guys falters in the spring. Hopefully they don't because Wells and Redman suck.

The starting rotation should be solid with Francis, Cook, and Jimenez being at the top, but again it depends on the development of Morales and Hirsh.

The bullpen should be solid with Corpas being the closer and Fuentes being the setup man. IMO Fuentes is a bit overrated, lol, but he is decent. Herges and Vizcaino are also solid, with Buchholz and Speier working longer innings. Affeldt is a decent lefty.

The real question is undoubtedly second base though. They signed Giles, blah, and he will compete with Jayson Nix, Ian Stewart, Cliff Barmes, and Omar Quintanilla. This has ugly written all over it.

Fortunately the rest of the infield and outfield should be the same. Hawpe should continue to improve as should Atkins and Tulo. Hopefully Taverez can stay healthy if not Corey is serviceable plus Ryan can contribute although he appeared to wear out last year.

They had been talking with Holliday about a contract extension but have yet to finalize anything, and frankly I doubt they do. IMO this is Holliday's last year as a Rockie.

 

[rascal]

I keep hearing good things about Chris Nelson. I don't play fantasy baseball but he might be someone to keep an eye on as I doubt Nix, Giles, or anybody else they currently have a 2B is a longterm solution.

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http://www.denverpost.com/rockies/ci_7981638

In the 11 weeks since the lights faded to black in the World Series, putting to bed one of the most stirring sports stories in Colorado history, Rockies owner **** Monfort has been a popular target in public. Only now he no longer has a bull's-eye on his back.

"It used to be where people would come up and offer their opinions. And your friends would say, 'Maybe next year.' They all still talk, but it's positive," Monfort told The Denver Post. "And now, it's 1,000 times a week. It's been a lot of fun."

But it's also been business. A main offseason priority was to attempt to secure all-star outfielder Matt Holliday with a long-term contract. Monfort indicated there has been no progress on that front.

"I don't know if we will be able to sign him (long term)," Monfort said. "It could always happen during the year, I guess, but that's a distraction and we can't have that. The chance of him becoming a free agent increases with each year that passes."

The Rockies have yet to make a firm proposal to Holliday's agent, Scott Boras. They left the winter meetings rethinking their plans to offer a four-year, $60 million extension, sensing the sides were too far apart on the length of the contract.

"Matt is happy in Colorado," Boras said Tuesday. "If they want to offer a one-year contract, that's fine. If they want to offer him a franchise contract, like they have done in the past (for other players), we would review it at that time."

Monfort, as is his style, has remained relatively quiet as the Rockies simultaneously addressed needs this offseason and moved on without key members of the National League championship club, namely second baseman Kazuo Matsui and pitchers Josh Fogg and Jeremy Affeldt, though the door hasn't completely shut on Affeldt.

As for the future, Monfort shared his thoughts on contract issues regarding Holliday and Troy Tulowitzki, roster changes and the status of reliever Matt Herges, named in the Mitchell report.

Early in the offseason, the Rockies indicated they would make a long-term contract proposal to Holliday and conduct exploratory talks with Tulowitzki. Holliday can become a free agent after the 2009 season. As a second-time arbitration-eligible player, Holliday is in line to make about $9 million on a one-year deal. If they offered the $60 million extension, it would buy out the first two years of Holliday's free agency, but not address the type of contract length a player of the outfielder's caliber has received in recent seasons.

The Rockies are prepared to begin talks in earnest next week with Tulowitzki, but there is no sense of urgency to get something done, because the shortstop is entering just his second season.

"What we really want to do with our young players is keep them together for more than six years," Monfort said. "But he's awfully young (in experience), so we will see what happens."

Matsui was the team's most high-profile defection this offseason when he signed a three-year, $16.5 million contract with the Astros. Monfort said it made no sense to match Houston's offer.

"It was not so much the money. We think we have someone who will be ready in potentially two years in (Chris Nelson), and there's no reason to block his path to the majors. Jayson Nix could step up. And we have Eric Young Jr. in (the minors)," Monfort said.

"Matsui was a good guy to have around, but it wasn't a fit long term."

Colorado's biggest offseason acquisition came in the bullpen. After failing to reach an agreement with LaTroy Hawkins, the Rockies signed Luis Vizcaino for $7.5 million over two years, with a vesting option for a third season.

"He's younger than Hawkins, and we got to a point where we really needed a veteran reliever," Monfort said. "We probably extended more than we would have liked, but that's OK."

Vizcaino is expected to provide a stabilizing force if Herges is suspended, possibly for 15 days. His case will be reviewed by commissioner Bud Selig, who could discipline him for the alleged use of steroids and HGH beginning in 1999 and ending in 2005.

"We are waiting to see what the commissioner's office does, then as an organization we will act," Monfort said. "We are in limbo."

 

[rascal]

Two players, two different reactions.

Mention Matt Holliday and many Rockies fans think ownership is cheap. Bring up Troy Tulowitzki and many Rockies fans see hope.

If you want to spare your fingernails for a moment about Holliday's future and have reason to believe Colorado will be competitive for the next five seasons, here's why: Tulowitzki and the three-headed monster of Jeff Francis, Ubaldo Jimenez and Franklin Morales.

Tulowitzki has emerged as a catalytic force in the clubhouse and a beast on the field. When his long-term contract is finalized — all signs point toward this week — it will scream of his significance. He is that rare breed of athlete who makes players around him better. And his desire to win is almost unhealthy.

"All I care about is how this team does," Tulowitzki told me recently.

Normally when a player says as much, the tape recorder stops and eyes roll. But Tulowitzki breathes, eats and bleeds baseball.

Beyond his strong will and razor's edge, he produces. It's not hard to squint and see 30-home run, 100-RBI seasons in his future, starting this season. And if he doesn't win a Gold Glove at some point soon, George Mitchell should launch another investigation.

Having a shortstop as a cornerstone for the next seven years is a terrific place to start a franchise. Coupling him with three young starters gives the Rockies a legitimate shot at the playoffs for the next several seasons.

In Francis, the Rockies have one of baseball's best buys, a pitcher capable of consistently winning 15 games and never seeing his blood pressure rise. Jimenez and Morales hold the key on whether the organization will be respectable or special. Jimenez has gained 15 pounds of muscle this winter. If his fastball doesn't strike the fear of God into opponents, his new physique might. When the A's asked for him in a trade for Dan Haren, talks immediately stopped.

Morales also is showing signs of maturity. He told me he's ready for whatever role the Rockies see fit, whether it's in the bullpen or rotation. Morales has No. 3-type starter stuff. The only issue is composure and control. He got a bit skittish last season during his extended cameo. But I'll take my chances with a left-handed starter who throws 95 mph (see Francisco Liriano).

As long as the money keeps flowing to the American League, the NL will remain wide open, pennants available to any team that can pitch and get hot (see Colorado's September) at the right time. With Tulowitzki and the pitching trio, the Rockies, at the very least, will remain on the clock.

Holliday talks.

That Holliday signed a two-year, $23 million deal was a positive step toward removing uncertainty and potential animosity in the coming months. However, those who believe it's the precursor to a long-term deal or a clear signal that Holliday isn't listening to agent Scott Boras are mistaken.

The Rockies paid Holliday fair value on the contract. However, a two-year deal and the "franchise contract" that Boras is seeking are mutually exclusive. When Boras talks about a franchise deal, he's speaking of the Rockies' franchise.

For that type of deal, look no further than Todd Helton's nine-year, $141.5 million extension. That gives you a good idea of what it would take — at least where talks are now — for Holliday to be secured for the long term.

http://www.denverpost.com/rockies/ci_8022079

 

[rascal]

Only the ironing out of small details stands in the way of a historic contract with shortstop Troy Tulowitzki.

In a deal first reported in The Denver Post, the Rockies and Tulowitzki have agreed to the parameters of a six-year, $30 million contract with a club option for a seventh season, the largest given a big leaguer with less than two years' experience.

It mirrors the contract structure given in 2006 to Cleveland Indians center fielder Grady Sizemore, who held the previous salary record at six years, $23.45 million with a club option. A source close to the Tulowitzki negotiations repeated this weekend that a deal "is close."

If the club option is exercised, Tulowitzki would remain with the Rockies through 2014, casting him as the future face of the franchise. It figures to be a big week for the precocious 23-year-old shortstop. He is also poised to wrap up significant endorsement deals, a novelty for Rockies players who, other than Todd Helton and Matt Holliday, are not widely recognized nationally.

Solid session for Anderson.

With scouts in attendance from the Rockies, Philadelphia Phillies, Indians and Tampa Bay Rays, 34-year-old Brian Anderson was pleasantly surprised by his effective 60-pitch side session on Friday. Anderson hadn't thrown a meaningful pitch in 17 months, but his surgically repaired elbow responded well and felt great Saturday.

"I finished as strong as I started and left there without regretting anything," Anderson said. "I am going to see how this round goes and which teams are interested in getting something done."

Going to the Wells.

In the Rockies, Kip Wells saw an opportunity, signing a one-year, $3.1 million deal. In Wells, the Rockies saw potential versatility. General manager Dan O'Dowd explained last week that Wells was told when he joined the team that he could either start or relieve.

"There were some people in St. Louis last year that felt like his best role might end up being the bullpen," O'Dowd said.

Footnotes.

The Rockies briefly considered making a run at potential bench players Mark Sweeney and Greg Norton, but have cooled. If Colorado adds more reserve competition, the player must be able to play multiple positions. . . . Scott Elarton is throwing off the mound at Coors Field. The free agent could end up back with the Indians organization.

http://www.denverpost.com/rockies/ci_8022077

 

[rascal]

Though unable to find common ground on a long-term deal, the Rockies were able to secure All-Star outfielder Matt Holliday on a two-year, $23 million contract Friday, according to contract information obtained by The Denver Post, taking him through his final arbitration seasons.

He will make $9.5 million this season, followed by $13.5 million next season. There also will be standard award incentives.

Holliday finished second in the National League MVP voting.

"It's nice to get it a two-year deal," he said. "Nobody likes to deal with arbitration and have to worry about going to hearings in Florida" possibly during spring training.

Asked if he thought this could help facilitate negotiations on a long-term deal that have thus far not progressed at all, Holliday said, "I don't know. Maybe. It's hard to tell."

The 28-year-old slugger hit .340 last season with 36 home runs and 137 RBIs. He was surprised by the two-year deal because he hadn't heard anything regarding negotiations all week. He was informed of the change as he prepared to work out at Coors Field and quickly signed off on the multi-year contract after a few text messages to his representatives.

"For Matt, this is the first step in a process we hope will lead to a long-term relationship with him," Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd said.

Earlier Friday morning, Rockies center fielder Willy Taveras avoided arbitration, signing a one-year, $1.97 million contract.

Taveras, who is penciled in as the club's leadoff hitter, can make an additional $150,000 in incentives ($50,000 for 500 plate appearances, 550 and 600).

Taveras hit .320 last season with 33 stolen bases.

"My goal is to play, to be on the field more," said Taveras today, indicating that 50 stolen bases was easily within reach if he started close to 140 games. "This is a good team. With this lineup, you get a lot of chances to score runs."

Taveras and Holliday joined a stream of players who continue to avoid arbitration, with Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera and former American League MVP Justin Morneau headlining the morning signings.

Cabrera received a one-year, $11.3 million deal. Morneau, a slugging first baseman, agreed to a one-year, $7.4 million deal with the Minnesota Twins. The Tampa Bay Rays' surprise star last year, Carlos Pena, signed a one-year, $6 million deal and appears poised to agree to a new three-year, $24 million contract.

The Rockies have three arbitration-eligible players remaining: third baseman Garrett Atkins, pitcher Brian Fuentes and outfielder Brad Hawpe.

Given the significant gaps in the filing numbers, there is a possibility their cases could be decided at hearings in Florida next month. Atkins filed at $4.65 million, while the club countered at $4.125 million. Closer Brian Fuentes filed at $6.5 million, with the club coming in at $5.05 million. And finally Hawpe filed at $4.35 million, while the club filed at $3.575 million.

http://www.denverpost.com/rockies/ci_8009276

 

[rascal]

Friday's agreement between Matt Holliday and the Rockies on a two-year, $23 million deal is good news for both sides and increases the chances, however marginally, that they will find common ground on a longer deal.

Just as important as Holliday's new deal, there is a good chance the Rocks will soon do a six-year deal, with a club option for a seventh year, with precocious shortstop Troy Tulowitzki. This is even better news, not only for Tulowitzki and the Rocks, but also for the chances of keeping Holliday around.

Because, let's be honest, if you had to pick one member of the Rockies organization to be in Holliday's ear about staying, Tulo would be the guy.

And the Tulo deal, assuming it comes to fruition, will represent the second commitment by a young star beyond the year he becomes eligible for free agency. The club option year on Jeff Francis' deal takes him one year past his initial eligibility.

Tulo's would take him two years past. That's a significant statement to the rest of the clubhouse.

As the only Type A personality among the Rocks' stars, Tulowitzki took on a leadership role as a rookie. If he announces through his contract that he intends to stick around, that will give the organization more credibility than anything management can do or say.

The other encouraging development here is that the two-year deal for Holliday, which will pay him $9.5 million this season and $13.5 million next season, suggests that Holliday has taken an active role in this process.

Had it been left up to Scott Boras, his agent, I'm assuming he would have gone year to year until Holliday became a free agent after the 2009 season. That would have allowed Boras to use the leverage of arbitration each year. It also would have allowed him to sow seeds of discontent in Holliday because the Rocks would have been required to justify their position in arbitration by downplaying his achievements. The arbitration process often drives a wedge between team and player.

This is also Boras' specialty. But in an unexpected shot of good news for baseball, two players forcefully rejected his wedge-driving attempts this offseason. Alex Rodriguez and Kenny Rogers both went around Boras to make deals with their existing teams.

It would be folly to suggest Boras was humbled by these developments. But Holliday is a smart guy. What he has done by agreeing to the two-year deal is leave the door open to further talks with the Rocks.

If Boras is in charge of those talks, I assume he's seeking an A-Rod deal, meaning 10 years or something close to it. The Rocks simply aren't doing that, and for good reason.

Seven years ago, as you may recall, they tacked a nine-year, $141.5 million extension onto the two years Todd Helton still had on his contract, giving him an aggregate package of $151.5 million over 11 years.

Helton is Mr. Rockie and an asset to the organization in many ways. But, at 34, he is not a $16.6 million-a-year player, which is what he will make this year, next year and the year after that, before making $19.1 million the year he turns 38.

Holliday just turned 28. An A-Rod-length deal would take him to about the same point. The Rocks do not intend to make the same mistake again.

This is why the NBA has installed limits on contract length, to prevent teams from making ridiculous, fully guaranteed commitments simply to stave off the competition. But then, the NBA has one of the best commissioners in sports and baseball has . . . well . . . you know.

Even if it costs them a wonderful player like Holliday, the Rocks are right about this. Before the NBA implemented its term limits, many teams were paying eight-figure salaries to players that could no longer play. It not only hurt those organizations, it hurt the league. So much money was going to people who weren't playing, some teams struggled to field competitive teams.

Still, the Rocks are willing to go seven years in the case of the 23-year-old Tulowitzki, a fact Boras will no doubt bring up once or twice.

Adding an extension of four or five years to the deal they just did with Holliday would take him to 34 or 35 and give him some pretty serious financial security.

At an average between $18 million and $20 million a year, which is probably the range of his free agency market value given Alfonso Soriano's $17 million-a-year deal with the Cubs last year, that would put the package - the two-year deal plus the extension - at or above $100 million.

If it is true that Holliday likes living in Colorado, likes his teammates and is not driven by the last dollar, this might be good enough. If, on the other hand, it is up to Boras and his visions of A-Rod II, it most certainly won't be.

It is Holliday's call, as it always has been. The encouraging aspect of his two-year deal is the signal it sends that he, not Boras, is actually making the call. Assuming that continues to be the case, the saga will end as it should, whichever way it turns out.

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008...deal-good-sign/

 

[rascal]

That's great news on Tulo. Locking him up for seven years, avoiding all arbitration nastiness and cutting into two years of free agency is a wonderful deal for the Rockies. It's also a nice commitment from Tulo to forgo two years of free agency in exchange for long term security. Is there anything not to like about this kid?

I agree with Kreiger's points about a ten year deal for Holliday being ridiculous. I like Holliday as much as anyone, but they don't need to be paying him an eight figure salary when he's 38 years old. Still, a six or seven year deal signed right now woud have been prefectly acceptable. Maybe I can hold out some faint hope that they can work out an extension next year that'll keep Matty in purple pinstripes for the entire prime of his career.

Sounds like Jiminez and Morales are looking good, and combine them with Francis and Cook and the Rockies have a pretty solid 1-4 rotation. I would like to get Anderson though, can't have enough veteran arms and we have a lot of young arms right now.

If their young players continue to develop and the mess at 2B is settled the rockies should make some noise this season again.

 

[guru_007]

Kip Wells in Colorado has potential for some huge numbers

 

[rascal]

Kip Wells in Colorado has potential for some huge numbers

If he lasts I suspect he will be long relief help only.

 

[guru_007]

Kip Wells in Colorado has potential for some huge numbers

If he lasts I suspect he will be long relief help only.

They threw 3.1 million at him.Even in long relief, I foresee lots and lots of baserunners. Duncan couldn't get him right, I have a feeling he's about done. I think if the rocks had wanted relief help, that money could have been much better spent. I'm not really sure what the point of trading Hawkins for Vizcaino was either

 

[rascal]

Kip Wells in Colorado has potential for some huge numbers

If he lasts I suspect he will be long relief help only.

They threw 3.1 million at him.Even in long relief, I foresee lots and lots of baserunners. Duncan couldn't get him right, I have a feeling he's about done. I think if the rocks had wanted relief help, that money could have been much better spent. I'm not really sure what the point of trading Hawkins for Vizcaino was either

IMO Vizcaino >> Hawkins.Vizcaino wore down last year from being overused early. Outside that he was pretty dang good.

 

[Statorama]

Really surprised to see that the Rockies didn't up their ticket prices to a large degree this season. I figured with their post season success they'd increase in a big way.

Hi-Corbett is still the worst (by a mile) spring training stadium I've been to though. I've watched beer-league softball games in better parks.

 

[rascal]

Troy Tulowitzki isn't a shortstop. He's a pixie dust-speckled short story.

Seventeen months ago he wore topsiders and jeans on his first big-league road trip. Eleven months ago he arrived at spring training without a starting job. But on Wednesday, about the same time a kid his age might be grabbing lunch on campus, Tulowitzki talked about his six-year, $31 million contract with the Rockies that includes a seventh-year club option in 2014 for $15 million.

He looked like he had fallen off the cover of GQ, dressed in a black suit with a purple-tinted tie.

"I have a lot of nice clothes now," Tulowitzki, 23, told The Denver Post before heading to dinner with his teammates Wednesday night.

The evolution of Tulowitzki has been

Tulo Video

* Watch video of shortstop Troy Tulowitzki commenting on his new contract with the Rockies

startling in its speed, stunning in its success. After the greatest season ever by a National League rookie shortstop, Tulowitzki was awarded with a historic contract. His $31 million deal dwarfs that of Cleveland center fielder Grady Sizemore, whose $23.45 million contract was the previous largest for a major-leaguer with fewer than two years experience.

Tulowitzki said he plans to begin house hunting in Denver, and within a few weeks will begin significant charitable endeavors in the metro area.

"This contract allows me to help people and focus on baseball and winning," he said.

It took only one magical season for the Rockies to become convinced that Tulowitzki was worth a huge investment. He has never been on a losing team in his life, and in his first season in Colorado the Rockies won a franchise-record 90 games and reached the World Series as NL champions. Tulo hit .291 with 24 home runs and 99 RBIs.

"In baseball more than any other sport, you are going to have your ups and downs. And it's those special guys who are going to pull you through those down times," Rockies owner Charlie Monfort said. "(Derek) Jeter has done that in New York. (Craig) Biggio did it for years in Houston. When we can get somebody like that who not only has the ability on the field, but the intangibles off it, you want to keep those guys."

The idea of a long-term contract for Tulowitzki first sprouted late last season as his agent, Paul Cohen, talked with Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd about the kid's impact. By January, the sides were negotiating, with Tulowitzki on board "only if the talks happened quickly and didn't cause a distraction," Cohen said. The record figure floored Tulowitzki, but it was his team that convinced him to accept it.

"If I didn't think we could win here, I wouldn't have taken it," Tulowitzki said. "Everyone knows the guys on this team are great baseball players, but more than that they are great guys. I thought if we can keep this core together we have the makings of something special. The next step is keeping us together and I believe that's going to happen."

Monfort indicated the team is eyeing other players for long-term deals. Progress has been made with outfielder Matt Holliday. There are plans to begin discussions with closer Manny Corpas and outfielder Brad Hawpe.

"Having Tulo here will influence my decision as will keeping other teammates," Holliday said. "He won't take this for granted. And he's only going to get better."

Tulowitzki was at his best during his news conference, answering questions with maturity and a sense of humor. He issued a plea for Holliday to stay — "I pray that he's going to be around for (a long time) because he made me a better player and person."

Tulowitzki showed he's more team-first than first-team. "If we don't go to the playoffs, the season won't be successful."

And he revealed a secret to increasing his profile locally.

"In Denver I don't get as much attention as (Todd) Helton and Holliday," Tulowitzki said. "When I am with those guys, nobody knows who I am. That's why I like hanging around with (Garrett) Atkins."

Atkins laughed when he heard Tulowitzki's zinger. It was hard not to smile after the franchise's greatest shortstop received a defining long-term commitment.

"People would know who I was if he ever let me catch a groundball. He's a ball hog," Atkins said. "I am happy for him. And the money won't change Tulo. He will still come to the ballpark every day expecting to win."

Staff writer Patrick Saunders contributed to this report.

http://www.denverpost.com/rockies/ci_8059904

 

[Statorama]

The power is a mirage, so it's a good thing he plays in Colorado. If I were an agent of a player with any kind of power potential whatsoever (yeah, I'm looking at you Jeffrey Hammonds) I'd have him sign a one year deal with Colorado to build up some mirage stats and get him a bigger contract elsewhere (yeah, I'm still looking at you Jeffrey Hammonds).

Even in Colorado, I'm of the opinion that his power has peaked. I see him regularly hitting 14-17 each season, which still isn't bad at all. But like my grandpappy told me, never bet against a Rockies hitter and never bet on a Rockies pitcher.

 

[rascal]

The power is a mirage, so it's a good thing he plays in Colorado. If I were an agent of a player with any kind of power potential whatsoever (yeah, I'm looking at you Jeffrey Hammonds) I'd have him sign a one year deal with Colorado to build up some mirage stats and get him a bigger contract elsewhere (yeah, I'm still looking at you Jeffrey Hammonds).Even in Colorado, I'm of the opinion that his power has peaked. I see him regularly hitting 14-17 each season, which still isn't bad at all. But like my grandpappy told me, never bet against a Rockies hitter and never bet on a Rockies pitcher.

He hit 15 of his HR at home compared to 9 on the road. Nobody is accusing Thome of lacking power and he had a similar split for his HR's. He's a SS and if averages between 15-20 HR a season I would be happy. Remember he is only 23 years old so his strength will continue to get better. I see no reason at all why is power would be peaked at the age of 23.And since Colorado started using the humidor, the altitude hasn't been as large as a factor as previous years. Hammonds left Colorado after 2000 and the humidor was introduced in 2002.

 

[Statorama]

The power is a mirage, so it's a good thing he plays in Colorado. If I were an agent of a player with any kind of power potential whatsoever (yeah, I'm looking at you Jeffrey Hammonds) I'd have him sign a one year deal with Colorado to build up some mirage stats and get him a bigger contract elsewhere (yeah, I'm still looking at you Jeffrey Hammonds).Even in Colorado, I'm of the opinion that his power has peaked. I see him regularly hitting 14-17 each season, which still isn't bad at all. But like my grandpappy told me, never bet against a Rockies hitter and never bet on a Rockies pitcher.

He hit 15 of his HR at home compared to 9 on the road. Nobody is accusing Thome of lacking power and he had a similar split for his HR's. He's a SS and if averages between 15-20 HR a season I would be happy. Remember he is only 23 years old so his strength will continue to get better. I see no reason at all why is power would be peaked at the age of 23.And since Colorado started using the humidor, the altitude hasn't been as large as a factor as previous years. Hammonds left Colorado after 2000 and the humidor was introduced in 2002.

I got to see a lot of him in college, where his power didn't impress me at all. Good eye, Great glove, and a solid guy in the clubhouse. Very serviceable fantasy shortstop, but I just wouldn't go banking on his power totals rising.

 

[prosopis]

Good thing there is no official rockheads in season thread. You guys suck and we just swept you.

I will say there were some hot twins sitting above the Dbacks. Anyway I hope you enjoyed your days of celebration as we swept your ###.

 

[prosopis]

Losers

It's clear that the Rockies are in unfamiliar territory to start the season. As defending National League champs, the team has a right to celebrate, but its method of dragging out the party with related promotional events proves they haven't been here before. In fact, Saturday night's unveiling of the "pennant" might have been the most anti-climatic in history. It was almost as if it was an afterthought to the national anthem and starting lineups. The pennant really should have been revealed during the pomp and circumstance of Opening Day. ...

Oh, and the placement of the pennant, which is actually just a sign sandwiched between the scoreboard in left-center field and the Rockies logo above it, kind of makes one wonder if they ever plan on winning another. ...

link http://dailycamera.com/news/2008/apr/07/ro...rating-pennant/