There has been quite a bit of talk about what the Rockies will do at the catcher position this off-season. For whatever reason, the team seems like it might be ready to give up on Chris Iannetta. A few weeks ago, Troy Renck speculated that the Rockies might want to trade Iannetta this off-season, leaving the starting catching job in the hands of Wilin Rosario. That would be a grave mistake.
It’s interesting that Jim Tracy refuses to bat Iannetta anywhere other than the eighth hole. He ranks second on the team in OBP and tied for third in wOBA. As of last night, CarGo and Iannetta were tied in wOBA and wRC+. The only area where Chris doesn’t stack up when compared to CarGo is in batting average. According to Fangraphs’ WAR, Iannetta is the second most valuable position player on the team. That’s right. So far this year, he has contributed more wins above replacement than Helton or CarGo.
Chris hasn’t been okay this year; he’s been really, really good. In fact, his performance has been borderline elite. Out of Major League catchers with over 320 at-bats, Iannetta is third overall in WAR, trailing only Bryan McCann of the Braves and Alex Avila of the Tigers. That’s an All-Star level performance, and, the fact is, Iannetta is one of the best five catchers in baseball this year. It’s crazy that the only thing holding him back from the recognition he deserves is his batting average.
Obviously they need to listen to any offer, but, if the Rockies’ plan is to use someone else at catcher next season, they are insane. There is no way Wilin Rosario and/or Jordan Pacheco can fill Iannetta’s shoes next year. Not to say they can’t get there eventually, but Rosario has taken a step back offensively this year and Pacheco isn’t even close defensively. The Rockies would be doing both players a disservice by bringing them up too early. If the Rox want the catcher that gives them the best chance to win next year, that’s Iannetta.
It’s a popular thing to group Iannetta with Dexter Fowler and Ian Stewart. Many claim that these three are evidence of the Rockies’ failure to develop players. I’d say that these three are examples of the Rockies’ inability to be patient with their young players. Stewart has 150 plate appearances this year. In terms of baseball, that’s a miniscule sample size. He’s hardly been given a fair shot. But, Stewart aside, the Rockies’ treatment of Fowler and Iannetta has been particularly perplexing. It’s been absurd, actually.
Fowler hit a slump after a decent start and was sent to Colorado Springs to “figure things out”. In the meantime, the Rockies’ outfield defense suffered greatly. And, now that he is back, he is tearing it up apparently because of an added leg kick. You mean to tell me that he couldn’t have figured that out while he stayed in the majors? God forbid they lose out on some of EY’s productivity. Meanwhile, Iannetta has been permanently relegated to the eighth spot, despite the fact that he is a much better hitter this year than Wigginton, Seth Smith, Fowler, and anyone else not named Tulo, Helton, or CarGo. Today, Tracy batted Eliezer Alfonso cleanup. He would’ve never done that with Iannetta, but he’s okay with Alfonso in that spot? It makes no sense.
If Colorado ever wants to truly become a “homegrown” organization, they have to exercise more patience. Fowler is twenty-four years old and was giving the team value when he was sent down. That never should’ve happened. They’ve been waiting for years for Iannetta to develop into a plus catcher and it’s finally happening. Yet, his manager inexplicably thinks he is a weak hitter and management seems more than willing to send him packing. Solid catchers are very hard to find. It would be a shame if the Rockies gave up on one of the best in the biz because they wish he would swing the bat more.
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CodenameDuchess
August 11, 2011 at 7:16 PM (UTC -6)
Good post as always.
Maybe with the Moneyball movie coming out O’Dowd will finally get a clue. I think it’s fairly obvious that he never read the book. Maybe that damn Ringolsby is in his ear.
This club is in desperate need of some new thinking.
Travis Lay
August 11, 2011 at 7:35 PM (UTC -6)
I was discussing this with my dad today as we drove to NebrASSka. I couldnt agree more. If you ask me the Rockies are set in CF and C next year.
Ken
August 11, 2011 at 9:07 PM (UTC -6)
Couldn’t agree more, Logan. CodenameDuchess is thinking the same way as me. All Jim Tracey really needs to know about Iannetta and what Iannetta is doing for this team is read this page at FanGraphs: http://tinyurl.com/3f48dp9
Again, to reiterate FanGraphs: “…the most important thing a batter can do at the plate: not make an out.” Chris has been very very good at not making outs…
Matt
August 11, 2011 at 10:43 PM (UTC -6)
Iannetta has two things that a lot of catchers don’t, a good eye and a strong bat. He hits home runs and he walks, he’s an excellent defender at his position and he knows how to call a good game. When I saw the lineup card today and saw that the backup catcher was batting cleanup I couldn’t believe it. The hit one Grand Slam now he’s the answer at cleanup? But you’re right, if Iannetta was playing he’d probably be in the eight hole and they’d have had Ellis in cleanup (or some other ridiculous idea). Move Chris up to sixth in the order (I don’t think he should be leading off) then you have your two speed guys at the top, a lefty in CarGo, a righty in Tulo, another lefty in Todd and then Chris back from the right. I may be wrong but a least try SOMETHING. I’m losing my confidence in Jim Tracy this season, I have with each passing month. Elizier Alfonzo batting cleanup is not experimenting, it’s the equivalency of putting together your order blindfolded. The Rockies keep talking about working to be contenders but if you want the catcher right now that gives you the best chance to compete, it’s Chris Iannetta, hands down.
Simone
August 12, 2011 at 2:15 AM (UTC -6)
You hit the nail right on the head Logan. Why not try to develop these players now that the season is gone and see what can be done. Who cares if the Rockies end up 5 games below .500 or 20 games below .500?
Try new things, see what the results are and let’s get ready for the 2012 season.
Try batting Iannetta in the 6 hole for a week or 2 and see how it works out. His BA is around .230, yet Tracy plays Wiggy in the 5 and 6 hole constantly and he’s only at .250.
Justin Higley
August 12, 2011 at 6:57 AM (UTC -6)
Great piece that stops just short of the obvious: Jim Tracy is a terrible manager. Be it tactical decisions or lineup construction, the man clearly has little clue how best to arrange the pieces at his disposal. The situation is quite unfortunate, really.
Jerry
August 12, 2011 at 7:18 AM (UTC -6)
I agree with Justin … Tracy, despite his cool demeanor and glib responses, has totally lost my confidence in his managerial decisions. They just don’t make any sense. Either he’s got some misled stubborness, is ignorant of key sabermetric data or he’s just a lackey of O’Dowd who’s calling the shots.
Logan Burdine
August 12, 2011 at 7:19 AM (UTC -6)
I swear I’m not a big fire-the-manager/gm guy, but how can you look at this team, as it is currently run, and see any reason to bring back Tracy and O’Dowd? They need a culture change. Some forward thinkers would be nice.
Adam
August 12, 2011 at 9:53 AM (UTC -6)
Agreed. 100%
ariel
August 13, 2011 at 1:39 PM (UTC -6)
Excellent post. Your comments are right on!! IMHO, the fault rests with Tracy…when you are going well by conventional standards, he’s not only in your corner but he aggressively champions your cause. When things veer south, slightly or otherwise, you are yesterday’s news at best. As to Ianetta, he will florish, if traded to a team that will appreciate him (i.e., the Red Sox). As to Stewart, he may well be the “Steal of 2012″ if his soon to be new team has a batting coach who can remedy his obvious problems, and deal with a damaged psyche….he obviously can’t be traded for anything other than a loaf of bread since he will be a non-tender and any GM worth a whit knows this. Hopefully, for his sake, the harm caused by the “one day you’re in, the next day you’re out approach” of Tracy (who has never been able to take the long view) is not irrevocable. Where will he go?? the D-Backs or the Angels are my choice. BTW, I also assume Tracy will be dismissed, as he should be. Unfortunately, DoD will be back though his level of blame is second only to the Micro Manager (the moniker given him during his tour in LA due to his inability to see the forest from the trees, as evidenced by his penchant for meaningless detail). Ownership, of course, is at a similar level, but that we have to deal with though the good people of Colorado deserve better.
Dave Hickman
August 13, 2011 at 1:55 PM (UTC -6)
jim tracy …….. i never thought i would wish for hurdle back but tracy has to be the most lack of emotion i have ever seen in a manager….. he is so afraid he may make a quesationable move…..he does nothing even remotely quesationable . He is horrible and the Rockies are on a dead end street with him managing! For example Jonathon Herrera was extremely effective before tracy decided he needed to improve at the position and besides when Mark Ellis came over from Oakland on a hot streak… nobody has been better at 2nd base than Herrera before tracy began messing with him. Time for jim tracy (Simpleton) to go away!
bob
August 13, 2011 at 3:28 PM (UTC -6)
I have had Chris on my fantasy team all year. He has been a solid contributor all year but gets no respect for the rockies organization.
Jerry
August 14, 2011 at 7:34 AM (UTC -6)
In today’s (Sunday) Post, Mr. Renck’s article nicely outlined the success of the D-Backs and their worst-to-first run. Consider the fire-and-kick-butt style of Kirk Gibson along with the astuteness of G.M. Kevin Towers and contrast these with the current Rox regime. Umm, very interesting, eh?
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