So Soon?

After only 16 days with CapR, the Designation Committee has stripped it from the rockies. I use the term "stripped" because, frankly, it was out of disgust and utter disappointment. When the committee restored CapR the general feeling was that it would be for awhile. Sixteen days wasn't what we had in mind. The Chairman of the Designation Committee was actually thinking about taking a vacation since it seemed as though the rockies were cruising right along and there wouldn't be much business for the committee to tend to, but the rockies apparently had other ideas. So, the committee met this morning and the vote to repeal CapR was unanimously "yes". The rox still have a chance to avert complete disaster on this road trip with four in Houston against a team that isn't particularly good so far this season. They do, however, face Oswalt tonight whom they have typically struggled against, their last game against him notwithstanding. They'll also face Jennings, which will be interesting and strange. The optimism is rapidly waning and they need to come home on a positive note to keep the fan base interested.

Until next time, go rockies!

What's in Store for 2007?

Two years ago, the question that everyone was asking about the rockies was, "how bad will this team be?". The answer was, bad enough to tie the inaugaral team in 1993 for worst record in franchise history. Last year the questions seemed to hinge around which side of mediocrity they would land. After flirting with the possibility of being a good team for the first half of the season, the rox came back to reality in the second half and finished on the south side. This season, there doesn't seem to be a consensus as to what the question is. Some say the rox will be worse than last season, some say they will be better, but most really don't honestly have a solid idea. The subtraction of Jason Jennings and the lack of acquiring an impact centerfielder have led to a degree of pessimism. (The rockies' string of losing records and lack of confidence in ownership might have something to do with that too.) Couple that with the likelihood of unproven youngsters in some key positions and there's reason for pessimism. On the other hand, there seems to be a thread of optimism out there that hasn't surfaced in quite some time. The very fact that we have unproven youngsters that have potential to be pretty good ballplayers leads to the possibility that our beloved team could actually be good this season. We're not to the point of asking, "how good will this team be?", as opposed to two seasons ago, but we might not be that far away from that question. I'm not endorsing either the pessimists or the optimists, but I do want to get a gauge on how the rockies' fanbase is feeling about the 2007 campaign. I've posted a poll on the website asking how many games the rox will win this season. Please vote. At the end of spring training I'll average the responses and publish a target for wins based on the fans' expectations. It should be interesting to monitor as the season progresses.

Spring training games for the rox begin today. Nifty 850 will be broadcasting the game, so if you're within range of the flagship or its affiliates, tune in. It will be a nice change of pace to listen to baseball, especially with snow flying in Denver today.

Only 33 days left until the Designation Committee embarks on its annual field trip!

Clint Hurdle had this quote about Alan Roach, the first, and only PA announcer for the rox, who resigned earlier this week. "I remember the day in Fantasy Camp when he ran upstairs, announced himself, and then came down and hit."

Until next time, go rockies!

Us and Them

A quote in the footnotes of Troy Renck's column Saturday in the Denver Post troubled me. It's been no secret that the rockies have been in contact with Jason Jennings' agent about a contract extension. Here was JJ's response:

I would have to think long and hard about (a multiyear offer). I like the city and the core of young players, but I would like to see what players we are going to add.

Thus far during the existence of the rockies organization, the first choice of potential free-agents was almost always to remain in Colorado. That may not be the case anymore. In 2007, JJ will be entering his sixth full season with the rockies and hasn't been on a team that won more than 76 games. The competitor in him might be tired of losing. JJ is obviously content to ride out the last year of his current contract at $5.5MM and test free agency for 2008. The list of teams willing to overpay, especially for pitching, seems to grow each season (them). The rox will not be showing up on that list anytime soon (us). If teams such as the Yankees and Red Sox will pay the likes of Jaret Wright and Carl Pavano, respectively, $7MM they will certainly a pitcher the caliber of JJ $8-9MM. If not the Yankees or Red Sox, then someone else. It seems that 2007 may very well be the last we see of Jennings in a rockies uniform. If the rockies are not in contention come late July, Jennings will be highly sought after at the trade deadline. Sadly, my gut tells me that we may have only three more months of JJ in our beloved team's rotation. Eventually, the rox are going to have to extend their resources and overpay for somebody, if not JJ or Matt Holliday, then an impact free agent or two. If not, then the organization will once again enter into a rebuilding phase while the losing and excuses will continue to flow like the nearby Platte River.

For those keeping score at home, the rox lost Justin Hampson and J.D. Closser on waivers. Hampson was claimed by the Padres while Closser was claimed by the Brewers.