Author: Patrick Saunders
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Rockies Journal: Ryan McMahon wants to be more than “average player” Bill Schmidt said he’s been
Bill Schmidt’s blunt assessment took me by surprise. During baseball’s winter meetings in December, I asked the Rockies general manager to assess third baseman Ryan McMahon. “If you look, he’s an average player right now, and I’ve told him that,” Schmidt said. “He’s an above-average defender, which makes him the average player. He can be…
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Rockies roster additions, subtractions: Who’s coming, going as spring training arrives?
Following are the key changes to the Rockies’ major league roster as the team begins spring training: Additions • RHP Dakota Hudson: Signed as a free agent to a one-year, $1.5 million contract. Hudson, 29, will compete for a spot in the starting rotation. • RHP Cal Quantrill: Acquired from Cleveland in a trade for…
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Rockies’ Nolan Arenado wins 5th Gold Glove; DJ LeMahieu snares his second
Baseball’s gold standard can be found at Coors Field. That’s where Rockies infielders Nolan Arenado and DJ LeMahieu ply their trade, play after play, game after game. They were rewarded for their excellence Tuesday night. Arenado won a Rawlings Gold Glove for the fifth consecutive season, making him the first infielder to ever win a Gold…
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Rockies’ rookie pitchers still learning, adjusting to adversity on the field
Rockies rookie right-hander Jeff Hoffman certainly did not pitch well in a 13-5 loss to Pittsburgh on Friday night. His seven runs, nine hits and four walks allowed over three innings is evidence of that. But there were factors out of Hoffman’s control that contributed to that ugly line. The Pirates doinked three hits off him in…
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Rockies’ Chad Bettis pitches two strong innings in first rehab start with Yard Goats
Chad Bettis’ next big step was a big success. The Rockies right-hander, working his way back from testicular cancer, made his first rehab start Thursday night, pitching two innings for Double-A Hartford against Trenton, the New York Yankees’ Double-A affiliate. Bettis struck out three, gave up no hits and allowed one unearned run. He faced…
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Rockies’ David Dahl injured, will miss significant playing time
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Rockies outfielder David Dahl, who arrived at spring training as the favorite to win the starting job in left field and build off his excellent rookie season, has been diagnosed with a stress reaction of his sixth rib, the club announced Monday. The injury, which is in his mid-back, will be re-evaluated in two…
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Rockies’ Chad Bettis passes final cancer test, is ready for big year
Chad Bettis had a very merry Christmas, and now he’s looking forward to a big year with the Rockies. The right-handed starter, diagnosed with testicular cancer in November, has gotten a clean bill of health and said he’ll be ready for the first day of spring training when the Rockies report to Scottsdale, Ariz. during…
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Matt Holliday interested in return to Colorado Rockies
How’s this for a crazy twist of fate? Matt Holliday, the man whom Bud Black insists never touched home plate, hooking up with Black for the Rockies’ 2017 season. Will it happen? That remains to be seen, but Holliday is interested in the possibility. Speaking on MLB Network Radio Wednesday, Holliday, now a free agent, was…
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Nolan Arenado wins 4th consecutive National League Gold Glove award
The baseball rolls slowly up the third baseline, but like a flash of lightning, Nolan Arenado bare-hands the ball and throws a strike to first base, nipping the runner by half a step. The baseball sizzles toward left field, looking like a sure base hit, but Arenado is there to snag it, throw across his…
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Walt Weiss’ run with Rockies likely over as distance from GM Jeff Bridich grows
Walt Weiss believes the Rockies are close to becoming a legitimate playoff contender. He also believes he is the right man to lead them. He likely won’t get a chance to prove it, however. Weiss’ three-year contract expires after Sunday afternoon’s season finale against the Milwaukee Brewers at Coors Field, which very well could be…