Ok now you just saw the Rockies almost get “no hit” by Kevin Millwood at Coors Field. Just one fan’s opinion (well two if you count Pooter too) however it is time to change some things with the every day but Sunday lineup.
1. EY2 (leading off and playing 2B – defense be damned)
2. Fowler (but he has got OBP at .350 or better to make this work)
3. Cargo (back where he belongs RF and well because he is Cargo)
4. Tulo (you know that he is going to hit soon right)
5. Helton (please play him until the wheels come off)
6. Cuddyer (3B and perfect six hole hitter)
7. Colvin (your new left fielder)
8. Hernandez ((its time for Rosario to learn to hit a breaking pitch)
9. Pomeranz (power every five days anyway)
Outfield defense is excellent and the infield with Tulo and Todd will be fine and more than enough to offset the addtional runs such a lineup will generate with some speed at the top. Oh I almost forgot the players will have to find video tape on the ancient baseball art of bunting.
Sunday lineup TBD or just names out of a hat – who cares?
Speed, small ball and a lot of power – well J Tracy will like the last part anyway and he can always do “his” thing on Sunday right?
Final thought – if you hire someone indefinitely then how do you fire them, oh that’s right Shanahan knows exactly how that indefinite hand shake contract program works.
I did forget the most important part of this plan and that is this: The 2012 Rockies have to play extremely well while sneaking into the playoffs (not likely but it does have precedent), OR they really need to lose a ton of games so that the manager becomes less indefinitely retained. In other words mediocre 500 baseball is the last thing the Rockies should be trying to achieve in 2012.
OR, I like your plan, especially the part of putting Cuddyer at 3B. I mentioned earlier this week that I was surprised he had played a total of 92 games there with the Twins. It’s been a few years ago, but what have they got to lose?
A couple of items of your plan that concern me- JT doesn’t do ‘small ball’ very well. It’s not in his DNA. Also, I’m a bit worried about Helton. His BA is down in the .230s. Are we seeing the inevitable decline in his skill sets? I wouldn’t mind seeing a platoon of Helton and Pacheco at first base.
I think the advance scouting/defensive positioning has all but eliminated his opposite field hits.He’s still hitting it hard but right at left fielder.Maybe he needs to start bunting-they wouldn’t see that coming LOL.
1. EY2 (leading off and playing 2B – defense be damned)
2. Colvin (your new right fielder)
3. Cargo (seems more comfortable in left)
4. Tulo (you know that he is going to hit soon right)
5. Helton (please play him until the wheels come off)
6. Cuddyer (3B and perfect six hole hitter)
7. Hernandez (needs to learn to be still)
8. Fowler (just seems to hit better here)
Anyone know what Helton’s historical day/night avg is? I believe the constant days off are keeping him from getting in a hitting groove. Past years have proven that you can’t save him for September with lots of days off now. Ride him until he is done and then a couple of weeks off should help bring him back.
As far as the catching position goes, I would never have Hernandez catch Nicasio. I think it is time to go Hernandez 2 games followed by Rosario for 2 games as long as Rosario always catches Nicasio. It may be that I would also include Friedrich in the only let Rosario catch him group.
I totally agree with you guys. I want Colvin to play everyday, but not at the expense of one of the other outfielders. That would just weaken the offense. So Cuddy can play 1B when Helton sits and 3B when he doesn’t. That way at least we’re getting a good long look at EY and Colvin to see if they fit in our plans. Plus it’s a little more exciting than watching the alternatives.
Q. How would Cuddy at 3B affect team defense?
A. I’ve never seen him play 3B, so I’ll go with the small sample defensive stats we have, which suggest he’s about 9 runs below average. But here’s the thing: the recent stats suggest he’s about 10-15 runs below average in RF. So if he’s replacing, say, Nelson or Pacheco at 3B, the 3B defense probably stays about the same. And then Colvin plays RF where the stats suggest he’s about 10 runs above average over the course of the year. It all adds up to … wait for it … IMPROVED overall defense if you believe the stats. And then you get Colvin’s hitting instead of Nelson/Pacheco/Herrera, and I think we’re all willing to take a chance that that will improve the offense. Even if EY is below average defensively at 2B (and the stats — and my eyes — suggest he’s adequate there, maybe a tick below average), you still aren’t giving up much defensively. And Scutaro has trade value; have you looked at some of the starting shortstops around MLB?
Bottom line: what’ve you got to lose? Go for it!