Ellis has given the Rox a huge boost on defense. (Karl Gehring/ The Denver Post)
Maybe there is life left in the Rockies after all. In the two games since the All-Star break, Colorado has played with an edge that was rarely seen over the first half. For the second time in his last three starts, Juan Nicasio was completely dominant. Dexter Fowler returned to the lineup and immediately made his presence felt. Suddenly, they look like the team we expected to see at the start of the season. Of course, all of this must be taken with a grain of salt, as it’s coming against the worst road team in the NL. Still, the wins are encouraging.
More than likely, the Rockies will hit over the second half. That shouldn’t be a problem. But, if they really want to get back in the race, they’ll have to get more consistency from their starting pitchers. At some point, the Rox were in the market for another arm and perhaps they still are, but there has been a lot more talk of them trading a starting pitcher than acquiring one. As I alluded to yesterday, the most likely outcome is no deal of any kind.
However, even if the Rockies don’t make any changes to the current rotation, they still have a quick fix. The easiest way to improve the entire pitching staff is to improve the defense. Based on what’s happened over the last week, this appears to be exactly what Dan O’Dowd and company have in mind. Too bad that it took this long to figure it out.
When the Rockies had Ty Wigginton at third, the Nelson, Jr., and Herrera trio at second, and Dexter in the minors, they were fielding a sub-par defense. In Coors Field, that just won’t get it done. Since the introduction of the humidor, they’ve found a way to control the home runs, but it’s still a hitters park, making it imperative that the Rox back up their staff with solid defense. The 2007 team probably didn’t pitch as well as this one, but they played unworldly defense to somewhat neutralize the offensive advantages of Coors. For whatever reason, the team has gotten away from that.
With Cargo returning to the lineup today, the Rockies have a chance to put their best defensive team on the field and it’s been a long, long time since that could last be said. Nothing would make this lover of the leather more happy than to see a lineup that includes Dexter Fowler in center, Seth Smith in right, Cargo in left, and Ian Stewart at third. With Greinke going for the Brewers, the focus tonight needs to be on giving Chacin every chance to succeed. They can do that by leaving Ty Wigginton on the bench.
By putting a plus defender at every position, the Rox can turn something that has mostly been a weakness over the first half into a major advantage. If they are going to get hot, it’s going to take pitching and defense. Take the Rangers’ current nine game win streak for example. Right now, Texas — a team that also plays in a hitters’ park — is in the middle of a twenty-nine inning scoreless streak. Certainly, their pitchers have been terrific, but the Rangers also play pretty good defense. The days of PEDs and sixty home run seasons are over. Winning in today’s climate requires the ability to save runs. It is about time this group got back to the basics.
As always, we’d love to hear what you have to say.
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10 comments
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Simone
July 16, 2011 at 11:58 AM (UTC -6)
I’ve been a strong advocate of Ian Stewart. Why? His defense. In my opinion he’s in the top 5 in the NL for defense at 3rd. His BA is finally coming up and he is looking much better in the batters box.
Tracy needs to quit playing yo-yo with these guys and let them start at their position on a daily basis.
If the Rockies are serious about the postseason, they will bring in another starting pitcher. Someone they can fit at number 3 in the rotation would be ideal, but i’ll take a number 4.
Finally, get rid of Wiggy and Cook. Use Johnny as the 5th infielder and Spilly as the 4th outfielder. Wiggy plays sub-par defense at nearly every position he plays and leaves a hoard of men on base every night…we just can’t afford him anymore.
Logan Burdine
July 16, 2011 at 12:32 PM (UTC -6)
I’m with you on all of that. I wouldn’t mind keeping Wiggy to sure up the bench though. If you rely on him to be an everyday player, it’s a problem, but I’m happy with him as a role player.
Adam
July 16, 2011 at 1:52 PM (UTC -6)
Why would you get rid of Wigginton? He gives you good right handed power off the bench and can fill in for a couple days in many positions in case of injuries or giving a guy the day off. They aren’t gonna get a #3 starting pitcher for him that’s for sure.
Simone
July 16, 2011 at 3:36 PM (UTC -6)
Wiggy does NOT have good power. He’s been overswinging and as a result he’s gotten a few HR’s. He has a BA of .171 w/RISP and therefore is leaving a TON of runners on base.
Johnny Herrera can cover 2B,SS,3B if necessary. You have Giambi to help out Helton at 1B. Spilborghs can play all 3 positions on the outfield.
Is Wigginton really worth $3,500,000 per year? I don’t think so.
Let’s give up Cook/Wigginton/EY and some $$$ for a #3 pitcher and maybe a minor league prospect.
Adam
July 16, 2011 at 3:50 PM (UTC -6)
Wigginton is 2nd on the team in home runs, plays hard, and adds veteran leadership to the team. If you think they are in position to buy at the deadline then they should trade Nelson/E.Y./Cook and cash. Nelson is never going to be a day to day player on a winning team.
Owl Tamale
July 16, 2011 at 4:09 PM (UTC -6)
A trifecta of Wigginton, Cook and Young ( which sounds like a lawfirm in Maine ) isn’t going to get you much in the trade market; Cook has literally no value, Young is a man without a legit position, and Wigginton has his uses, but packaged together with those two guys would be useless. Wigginton definitely has value; while I agree with the sentiments about the defense, we still haven’t seen Stewart hit with any kind of authority, beyond a gap double, and while Helton is a wonder, you need to have protection at first base beyond Giambi. What does Herrera offer besides a middling glove and a few singles? You have to have some sort of offensive threat on the bench, and Wigginton is about the only guy who could be considered one, particularly from the right hand side, Spilly’s occasional pop not withstanding.
Simone
July 16, 2011 at 4:19 PM (UTC -6)
The guy has 13 home runs…big deal. He has a .171 BA w/RISP. The most Errors on the team. The lowest fielding percentage (minimum 30 games). The most runners LOB.
Really?
Kevin fitzgibbons
July 17, 2011 at 6:10 AM (UTC -6)
When will the rox wake up in regards to Huston street. And do not give me that inflated misleading saves number. He is a liability. Period. End of discussion. If we are able to make a run, and squeeze into the postseason, who among you will feel good about street pitching the ninth against the phillies or braves. Anyone? Do you remember ’09?
Adam
July 17, 2011 at 11:28 PM (UTC -6)
no one on the team has shined with runners in scoring position. That’s why they are 5 games under .500. And if we are going to play the “value” game have Tulo’s numbers been worth the new deal? NO. If you have seen any games then you should know the struggles that this team goes through. I like being able to put wigginton in during those slumping periods because he can make his OWN offense.
Dave S
July 18, 2011 at 11:28 AM (UTC -6)
While I can see Wiggy’s value as a backup, I can agree that he’s a liability as a daily player. He can play the corners in the infield and outfield adequately enough to fill in once or twice a week, or for injuries. So I don’t mind hanging onto him.
I would agree that shopping EYJr, Cook, and Herrera (keeping Nelson is a better option in my opinion) for a 3rd or even 4th starter would be a good idea.
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