Denver Post sports writer Patrick Saunders posts his Rockies Mailbag every other week on Tuesdays during the season and once per month during the offseason.
Pose a Rockies — or MLB — related question for the Rockies Mailbag.
Hi Patrick. I know last night’s loss (May 3, when the Diamondback held on to beat the Rockies 10-9) falls mostly on the bullpen, but when Ian Desmond came up with runners on the corners and one out, I was extremely confident that nothing good would happen. David Dahl’s steal took care of the Ian-ending double play, so the strikeout was the natural outcome. Why does Bud Black let him hit there? He had Tony Wolters on the bench who’s been a great contact hitter, even German Marquez would have made the out more fun. Thanks, and Go Rockies!
— Josh Weiss, Denver
Josh, I didn’t ask Black that specific question, so I don’t know for sure. But the ninth inning is not the time to use your backup catcher as a pinch hitter. If the game does into extra innings, but will likely have to use him later, likely in a double switch.
And let’s be serious, even though Marquez can bang out a hit now and again, he’s really not a better option than Desmond.
But I sense that the essence of your question has to do with your lack of faith in Desmond. I understand why fans are disgruntled. Desmond is hitting .186 with three home runs and 14 RBIs heading into Tuesday night’s game against the Giants. Over his last seven games, his slash line is .125/.263/.313. For the money’s he’s being paid — $15 million this season as part of his five-year, $70 million contract – he should be much more productive.
At this point, with Raimel Tapia playing well, Desmond is not starting as often, so he’s going to see more pinch-hit at-bats off the bench. That’s the simple reality of the situation.
With Ryan McMahon looking like he’s solidifying the second baseman job, what do you think the plan for Brendan Rodgers is at this point?
— Mason, Denver
Mason, I get a lot of questions about Rodgers, because fans are always eager to see “the next best thing.” I understand the infatuation, especially when it comes to Rodgers. He’s been ripping the ball for Triple-A Albuquerque, including a four-hit game Saturday night.
Check out this stat, from a Sunday post on MiLB.com:
Rodgers’ last two weeks have been a revelation. In his first 14 games of the season, the 2015 first-round pick batted .245/.339/.396 with four extra-base hits and three multi-hit games. In 14 games since, he’s hitting .439/.484/.807 with four homers, a triple, seven doubles, 11 RBIs and nine multi-hit contests.
I’ve talked to a number of people who keep a close watch on Rodgers and I get the sense that while he’s ready to be a major-leaguer at the plate, he still has some fundamental work to do as a fielder, especially as a second baseman.
Rodgers is a natural third baseman, but a player named Nolan Arenado is blocking him there. Rodger has been playing shortstop and second base with the Isotopes, but he’s blocked by Trevor Story at short.
Could Rodgers bump McMahon from second base? Not right now. Down the road? Yes, but we all know the Rockies don’t like the rush their prospects, even though Rodgers certainly is pushing the envelope. Bottom line, barring an injury, I don’t see him joining the major-league club before the all-star break.
Great coverage as always!
With the Rockies’ TV contract coming to an end, have there been any talks about having a Rockies Network or something like a YES network? Any idea what a new contract could do for the team’s value?
— Steve, Brighton
Steve, thanks for the compliment and thanks for reading my stories. It is appreciated. I’m going to be honest with you and say that I don’t know much about the Rockies’ future TV contract situation. Those negotiations are not public.
Currently, AT&T SportsNet has exclusive rights to televise most Rockies games through the 2020 season. However, it’s my understanding that bidding for a new contract will begin mid-summer of this year, so change could be coming.
There could be many players in the game, but keep an eye out for the Sinclair Broadcast Group. It’s emerging as a strong force in live sports coverage.
Here’s what was reported Monday in The Washington Post:
“Sinclair Broadcast Group expanded its media holdings in two realms when it announced Friday that it was buying 21 regional sports networks from Disney for $10.6 billion: sports and cable TV.
“The Maryland-based company is already the largest operator of local TV stations in the country, with nearly 200 in its portfolio, and it has now made a big bet on the future of live sports to pair with its news offerings.”
I don’t know what a new TV deal would do in regard to the Rockies’ value, payroll, etc. The industry, with live streaming, as well as live TV via a cable or satellite networks is in a state of flux.
I do not think they Rockies will create their own network.
Patrick, the question must be asked: What is up with Tyler Anderson? His first couple years in the league, he looked like a legitimate option as a No. 2 or No. 3 starter in the rotation. Then, instead of taking the next step forward, it all fell apart. I haven’t heard any explanation for this. Are his problems thought to be mechanical, mental, or has scouting simply caught up to him? Is there an extended Triple-A stint in his future?
— Sam in Seattle
Sam, I’m not sure when you submitted your question, but you probably know by now that Anderson was indeed optioned to Triple-A on Saturday after his disastrous start last Friday night that left him with a 11.76 ERA after five appearances.
Here is what manager Bud Black said about Anderson:
“It’s nothing he needs to work on mechanically, and it’s nothing he needs to work on mentally. It’s just the consistency, pitch to pitch. Truly string some pitches together and put zeroes on the board and get some momentum. This is performance-based. Because he’s healthy, he feels good, his arm feels good.”
And here’s what catcher Chris Iannetta told me:
“Sometimes I think (Anderson) goes ‘fastball-changeup, fastball-changeup, fastball-changeup,’ ” Iannetta said. “As an opposing hitter, I think you can lock in on one of those. When Tyler mixes his cutter in, and it has the shape that he wants, consistently, then it gives the hitter more to worry about. It makes his changeup that much more effective.”
Black said he doesn’t think Anderson is tipping his pitchers, but hitters are not being fooled and are sitting Anderson’s pitches and driving them out of the park.
So perhaps there is a “book” out on Anderson. Or perhaps his stuff simply isn’t good enough to consistently get out major-league hitters at the rate he needs to.
We’ll see if a trip to Triple-A can fix Anderson, because the Rockies’ pitching depth is looking thin and they need him.
Patrick, after watching Kyle Freeland struggle for a few starts, I am curious if we need to be worried about our best starter from last year?
Rick, Canon City
Rick, I think there is reason for concern, because Freeland is 5-2 with a 5.90 ERA and he’s been tagged for eight home runs in seven starts. However, I think Freeland will fix what’s wrong and rebound quickly.
Why do I say that? Because Freeland is ultra-competitive, smart and dedicated. More than that, he has a wide arsenal of pitches – and he knows how to use them. He’s a technician on the mound and he knows what’s going wrong and what’s going right. Once he starts pinpointing his pitches again, I think he’ll be fine.
I’ve been a Rockies fan since I was a kid, the first game at Mile High Stadium. Still love them even though I’m in Canada now. Love your mailbag as well. It helps me feel connected to the team and the fans.
Understanding it’s a long season, do you think there is thought of keeping Tapia as the everyday fielder and sitting Desmond. Payroll might dictate otherwise, but does that matter if Tapia is performing better?
— David Fisher, Vancouver
David, thank for reading. I visited Vancouver for the first time two summers ago. What a wonderful city!
The Desmond vs. Tapia debate has been brewing for some time, and it’s really heated up lately because of Tapia’s hot bat. But I think the Rockies will continue to use both players, depending on the matchup on the mound. Tapia, for example, has started in 11 of the past 17 games he played. Desmond has started 10 of his past 16 games. So I think Bud Black is considering the lineup on a daily basis.
As for the payroll/salary issue, check out the next question.
I have read more than one comment regarding the Rockies need to play Desmond rather than Tapia for financial reasons. It is true that the Rockies have a much more significant financial investment in Desmond than they do in Tapia, but it’s hard for me to believe that Black would play anyone over anyone else because of financial investment. It’s just as difficult to imagine Jeff Bridich pressuring Black to play someone due to financial considerations. I would appreciate your comments.
— Bill Beard, Highlands Ranch
Bill, I think Black tries to fill out the best lineup he can every night. I don’t think Bridich has much say in that, although I’m sure the two men have conversations about who should play, and how much they should play.
Having said that, I think it would be naïve to believe that Desmond’s salary and high profile doesn’t factor into the decision. The Rockies have a lot invested in Desmond and they aren’t simply going to banish him to the bench. Plus, Black likes Desmond’s defense and still believes Desmond’s bat will come around. We’ll see.
As the Rockies try to recover from their early season slump, it seems to me like there are three things holding them back from a prolonged winning streak. 1. The back end of their rotation 2. The front end of their bullpen (the back end is great, but Bryan Shaw‘s rebound is partly negated by Seunghwan Oh’s terrible start) and 3. A solid catching option to pair with Wolters.
Iannetta strikes me as a wonderful human being, but his offense is a drain and his defense has not seemed as strong as usual this year, with some costly defensive miscues. Which of the three areas do you think most likely to improve internally, and do you think the Rockies aggressively try to target an outside addition to fill one of these holes over the next several months?
— Isaac Bowen, Wellington
Isaac, I would imagine your questions are the same ones the Rockies are pondering internally.
In my mind, the top priority right now is finding a decent fifth starter. That will most likely come from within the organization, with right-hander Jeff Hoffman the most likely to replace the struggling Anderson. If the erratic Hoffman is not up the task, then prospect Peter Lambert could be an option, although it’s doubtful Lambert is quite ready for prime time. The Rockies are not going to rush him before they think he’s ready. I don’t foresee the Rockies signing, or trading for, another starter.
As for the bullpen, I actually think it’s in a pretty good place. With left-handers Chris Rusin and Jake McGee due back soon, the Rockies will have some more depth. I’m not saying Rusin and McGee are saviors, but it gives the team internal choices.
As for catching, would the Rockies pursue another veteran catcher at the trade deadline? I think it’s possible, especially if Iannetta doesn’t improve. Of course, it would depend on who’s available, and at what cost.
Denver Post sports writer Patrick Saunders posts his Rockies Mailbag every other week on Tuesdays during the season and once per month during the offseason.
Pose a Rockies — or MLB — related question for the Rockies Mailbag.
