The skipper continues to miss the point.
Losing streaks are miserable. They cause irrational responses from fans and reckless decisions by teams. Everyone has a right to be frustrated with the Rockies right now, but maybe it’s time to take a step back. There is no need to cuss out Jeremy Guthrie on Twitter. He knows he’s been terrible, but I assure everyone that he is trying his best. The outfielder with a .375 OBP is not the team’s problem, regardless of the perceptions over his attitude and hustle. They don’t need to trade Tulo or CarGo. They are still two of the best players in the National League and an argument to the contrary isn’t based on anything but frustration over the Rox being thirteen games under .500. Right now, this team just plain sucks, but effective analysis requires the removal of emotion from the process. It clouds the brain with false perceptions and malicious agendas.
In times like these, fans and writers tend to start reaching for answers and often we wind up with something fundamentally absurd. Earlier today, there was an article published in the Denver Post about playing Michael Cuddyer at second base. Travis touched on this in a recent post here on Blake Street, but since this has now become a real discussion, I felt the need to chime in. Please, please, for the love of all that is holy in the game of baseball, stop with this nonsense. If you think moving Michael Cuddyer to second will help the Rockies in any kind of way, you’re just totally missing the point about what’s wrong with this team.
First of all, let’s put all discussion about this being the worst pitching staff in the history of baseball to rest. The highest ERA ever recorded by a pitching staff belongs to the 1930 Phillies – 6.15. Let’s get one thing straight, if the staff of the 1930 Phillies had to deal with Coors Field and the defense that Tracy is running out there every night, their ERA would’ve been above 7, easily. That team struck out less than 3 hitters per every nine innings and walked almost 4 per. The Rockies have posted much, much better strike out numbers than that. Plus, comparing the ERAs from teams that played 80 years apart is an exercise in futility. In this instance, it’s also completely unfair to the Rockies. Sure, they’re terrible, but there are far too many variables at play for us to call them the worst pitching staff ever, or in franchise history, really.
One of the more underrated aspects of this team is how truly terrible they are on defense. I’ve touched on this before, but it continues to be ignored by most. Unfortunately, the manager seems to be one of those who is ignoring how bad his team is with the leather. Right now, they are lapping the field in Defensive Runs Saved with -52. The next closest is the Tigers with -24. And have you seen the Tigers’ infield? Defensive Runs Saved is a cumulative stat that builds throughout the season. A -52 would’ve been the second worst total in baseball in 2011 and the fifth worst in 2010. Just in case anyone needs to be reminded, we’re not even half way through June yet. If you look at the whole picture – pitching, defense, Coors Field – what we have is a team that is historically bad at run prevention, possibly the worst ever. Putting a team with this kind of defensive ineptitude behind a staff like this is a recipe for disaster and that’s exactly what we are seeing right now – an absolute disaster. Unfortunately, they are failing to recognize a huge part of the problem.
The fact that there is even discussion about playing Cuddyer at second proves that point. He’s already causing big issues with his defense in right field, why would you want to make things even worse by playing him at such a crucial position? It would be a total failure. Not only would they have the worst defensive third baseman in the NL, they’d also have the worst defensive second baseman. If you think it’s bad now, just cripple their defense up the middle and see what happens. It won’t be pretty. I can assure you of that.
If Tracy really wants to improve this team immediately, he needs to change his mindset every night. Maximizing offense should be a secondary concern. It is of utmost importance that the Rox start fielding their best defensive team every night. Salary and playing experience shouldn’t factor into the decision in any way whatsoever. It needs to be about saving runs. Period.
On a personal level, I like Cuddyer. He seems like a legitimately good dude and he’s a decent ballplayer. However, he’s a bad fit here. That’s all there is too it. He would be a nice asset for a lot of teams, but with the way the Rockies are currently structured, he causes more problems than he solves. Unfortunately, he seems to be the most untouchable player in the lineup every night – currently leads the team in games played. I’m not saying getting rid of Cuddyer would solve all their problems, but the way the Rox place him on a pedestal speaks volumes to their inability to effectively evaluate the problems they are currently facing. And that is the most concerning thing of all.
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9 comments
CodenameDuchess
June 14, 2012 at 6:42 PM (UTC -6)
Good post Logan but you don’t propose a lineup. Obviously you don’t think Cuddyer fits here so I can assume that your outfield looks like this…..
LF – Cargo
CF – Dex
RF – Colvin?
That would certainly be an athletic outfield. But what about your infield? This is the only thing that I think is set in stone…..
SS – Tulo (I assume that he will play again this year)
After that who do you got?
C – Rosario is obviously a work in progress. Do you keep his pop in the lineup or go with Nieves?
1B – Helton used to be a rock star and can still dig a ball with the best of them but the man has no range. Could Cuddyer actually be an upgrade here?
2B – Scutaro has obviously been a step below what we were all hoping for but is there a better defensive option?
3B – Nelson always seems to make the big play here but Pacheco is a line drive machine. Is it time to call up Arenado?
Swept at home by the f***ing A’s!! Awesome.
Logan Burdine
June 14, 2012 at 7:08 PM (UTC -6)
They pretty much have to play Cuddyer. I get that. It sure would be nice if they could deal him, but either way, getting him out of right as much as possible is important. I hate to say this bc I love Todd and it might be a mistake with Pacheco at third, but Cuddyer would probably do less damage to the team at first.
As for the rest of this, I think we will just have to ride it out and hope they do something to fix it in the offseason. 3rd has been a problem defensively basically since Vinny, but what’s the point of rushing Arenado?
I keep thinking back to The Extra 2% and how the Rays made it a priority to improve their defense (using DRS by the way) before the 2008 season. A few simple moves improved their pitching staff instantly.
The best recent years at Coors were 2007, 2009, and 2010. I don’t think it is a coincidence that those teams were all very good in the field. I think in Colorado defense is more important than anywhere else. They have to make it a priority again.
chrischrisman
June 15, 2012 at 8:54 AM (UTC -6)
Great post, LB. Starting pitching has been such a disaster that it’s overshadowing other problems, and defense is a big one. Since 2010, the defense has deteriorated to the point that what once was an asset has become a huge liability. Some of these liabilities are unavoidable. Cuddyer, regardless of what one thinks of him (I personally still like the acquisition), isn’t going anywhere. Likewise, growing pains at 3B with Pacheco, 1B with Colvin, and C with Rosario, are unavoidable, as well. But there’s a case to be made for a defensive mindset, and playing the game crisply, and this homestand was a good barometer of how low those qualities are on the Rockies’ priority list. Missed cutoffs (Colvin), lazy throws (Scutaro), poor reads (CarGo), and unfocused play (Dex throwing to 2B in the 9th yesterday instead of trying to get the runner at the plate). None of those requires talent, per se. Each requires focus. And I don’t think the team has made defensive focus much of a priority under Tracy.
Logan Burdine
June 15, 2012 at 9:27 AM (UTC -6)
I think your point about mindset is a very good one. In 2007, they had Atkins at 3rd and Hawpe in RF. Neither were very good defenders, but they played clean and the rest were so good it didn’t matter as much. They can get by with Cuddyer and Pacheco, but guys like CarGo, Tulo, and Dex have to pick up the slack. It’s almost like there is a lack of concentration, which might be because the pitchers leave them out there all day.
chrischrisman
June 15, 2012 at 2:00 PM (UTC -6)
That’s a very good contrast. Clean play was a habit with that squad. And I agree that the pace of the game, coupled with the malaise of constantly playing from behind because of the pitching, can cause even the most talented defenders to lose their edge.
Brendan Giles
June 15, 2012 at 9:16 AM (UTC -6)
I completely agree about the defense being a big problem. However, there is not a viable third baseman on the roster. Pacheco has his issues at third, but its not like Nelson is enough of a defensve upgrade to offset the offensive production Pacheco brings to the table. Cuddy’s role going forward with the Rockies in the next two years must be as a first baseman. The biggest problem with him in RF is how deep he has to play. This allows far too many hits to drop in front of him, especially when Dex is shaded to LF. I am not convinced that Colvin should be playing everyday, but opening an outfield position to a “platoon” keeps everyone involved and gives some flexibility with the up and comers. We can all agree that Helton is a Rockies legend, but his role needs to be reduced. Moving Cuddy to first and phasing out Helton is a good first step to improving the team defense, but by no means will solve everything.
Travis Lay
June 15, 2012 at 9:21 AM (UTC -6)
I would put CarGo – Dex – Colvin in the OF. Cuddy at 1st, Scoot at 2nd and Tulo at SS when he returns (on rehab right now and hit a HR off of Bauer the other day). I guess that means Pacheco at third by default. Rosario gets the plate the rest of the year with the occasional day off going to Nieves and the Rockies trade old ass Hernandez.
Steve
June 15, 2012 at 12:44 PM (UTC -6)
I thought Cuddyear was supposed to be the man to solve all the Rockies maturity problems in the clubhouse? The Rockies also talked about how great of a player he was? The Rockies are paying him $10 million a year and we are stuck with him for 2 more years??? Now we see him as defensive liability in right field? Another absolutely stupid move by Dan O’dowd! The best defensive outfield CarGo-in-right, Dex-in-center, Colvin-in-left. CarGo has the best arm and should be in right. The rest Nelson-3rd, Tulo-short, Scoot-2nd, Cuddy-1st? with Rasario-catch. Hope we see Arenado soooooon!
TroyF
June 16, 2012 at 11:54 AM (UTC -6)
Well, it would be nice if the Rockies would use ANY advanced stat. I mean, forget defense, they can’t even figure out lefty/righty splits, day/night splits and who should be playing on a daily basis.
Before we get into the lineup, lets set some ground rules:
Todd Helton should never be in the lineup against a left handed pitcher. Period.
Cuddyer NEVER should get a day off at night. Today might be a great time for a day off though.
Fowler only gets rest against a left handed pitcher. (remember earlier this week when Dex sat against a RHP and played the next day against a LHP? That’s idiocy. Pure idiocy.
Colvin has hit lefties well. I do not think his stats will hold up, but with his offense and his play in the OF, he deserves a chance to play everyday for awhile.
So with that, here is my lineup most of the time:
CF – Dexter (I’d love him to hit lower, but nobody else has an OBP. He needs to stay leadoff for now)
3B – Pachecho (he needs more at bats, period)
LF – Cargo
SS – Tulo
1B – Cuddyer
RF – Colvin (these two can be swapped as needed)
C – Rosario (I want him playing everyday, but 8th is not the spot for him now. He needs to work on hitting breaking balls)
2B – Scutaro
P – White, Pomeranz, Freidrich, Outman, Francis (get rid of Guthrie at all costs)
Backups: Helton (against RHP), Giambi (the power guy for one swing), Young (PR, Utility), Nieves (get rid of Hernandez), Nelson (solid utility man, not a great everyday player, but I love him in the utility role better than Herrera, he has some pop with the bat as we saw last night)
In a month, it’ll be time to call up Arenado. While his numbers don’t look great, keep in mind what park he plays in. The batting stats are just brutal in that ballpark. Here are some numbers to look at:
Runners on: .352/402/533
RISP: 349/395/508
When they are forced to pitch to him, he lights them up. Shortly after the All Star break, you call the kid up.