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Rockies Outlook '23
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Anthony Franco
8:56
Hey everyone, hope you're all enjoying your evening!
8:57
Glad to get outlook season underway, let's discuss the Rockies
Alec
8:57
If the Rockies surprisingly decide to spend again like they did with Kris Bryant do you think it would be on a pitcher or a position player? And who might it be?
Anthony Franco
8:59
While I don't expect them to do this right now, I think a pitcher would be likelier if they make a huge splash. The Bryant deal hasn't worked so far; I'd be surprised if ownership or the front office wants to dive back in with a run at, say, Bellinger
They obviously need starting pitching desperately. If I had to pick a long shot splash free agent play for them, I guess I'd go Nola or Montgomery
Elwood
9:00
What is the model of a successful Coors Field starter? What can the Rockies do to make their pitchers better???
Anthony Franco
9:02
I don't think there's a hard and fast rule to it. Márquez got there with plus command and a mid-rotation power arsenal -- mid-90s velocity with a couple plus breaking pitches. Kyle Freeland took the opposite approach as a softer-tossing sinkerballer who thrived by locating at the bottom of the strike zone
9:03
They're going to inherently have a tougher job of managing a pitching staff than any other team. But I don't think there's a specific pitcher archetype that's built to thrive at Coors Field. "Avoid walks, miss some bats and hopefully keep the ball on the ground" is just kind of the model for a good pitcher generally
Ned Ferguson
9:04
As mentioned, Tovar is just 22.  My assumption is that as he ages, he'll tap into a bit more power. Is there any hope that his plate discipline improves and develops as well? Or is this something that will define his career?
Anthony Franco
9:07
I wouldn't ever expect him to be a high-walk player -- guys don't typically change their profile that much -- but I think it's fair to expect the pitch recognition to improve somewhat as he gets more experience against MLB pitching. If he still hasn't shown any signs of a more disciplined approach by the end of next season, I'd be concerned
Guest
9:07
Please rate the Jusn Brito for Nolan Jones trade now that each has had a season with their new organization.
Anthony Franco
9:07
Wrote about this for Front Office subscribers last week but I see it as a win-win through one year. I don't think either team would undo it given the way both players have progressed
Guest
9:08
Where do you see Hunter Goodman playing next year. Rockies do have a log jam of OF/1b/DH types, however throughout the minors he has shown he will hit for power at every level. K rate is not great but if power plays, you can live with it, especially at Coors Field.
Anthony Franco
9:10
He struck out quite a bit in the minors too, hasn't hit in his first crack at MLB pitching. I'd start him back in Albuquerque and reevaluate midseason whether he's making enough contact to serve as a power righty bat off the bench again
Bill Schmidt
9:10
Do I go out and make moves this off-season in the pitching market via free agency? Or does my owner hamstring me and make me look towards trade options instead?
Anthony Franco
9:11
Mentioned this in the post but it has to be both. They have one, maybe two (depending on how they feel about Gomber) member of a season-opening rotation right now. Have to play in the lower tiers of free agency and look to waivers or minor trade for someone who gets squeezed out elsewhere
Ron
9:11
Do you think Ryan McMahon still has room for improvement overall? Or do you think we're seeing his peak potential now?
Anthony Franco
9:12
Always felt like there was a little more power upside in there with McMahon than he has ever gotten to. Going to be 29 now so it's probably not coming
9:13
Not trying to denigrate McMahon, to be clear. He's a really good player, even if he's "only" a league average hitter
Alec
9:13
What would have to happen for the Rockies to finish higher than 4th next year?
Anthony Franco
9:15
Not trying to come off as sarcastic, but I think it'd take bad injury luck for another team in the division as opposed to a major step forward from Colorado
Charlie Blackmon
9:15
Should I come back on a one year deal or is it time to go elsewhere?
Anthony Franco
9:16
Rockies probably value Blackmon more than other teams will. A lot of opportunity in the DH/corner OF mix, need some kind of veterans on a young roster. I expect he'll be back
Alex
9:16
I see plenty of hope. We’ve got a fine lineup outside of pitching with studs coming up (amador, veen, Fernandez) including young pitchers (dollander and Hughes) to pair with Marquez and freeland. We also have a shot at the #1 pick. Can you see my hope?
Anthony Franco
9:17
On the one hand, I think they're in a better spot than they've been for a couple seasons. The international scouting department has had what look like a few hits (Amador, Yanquiel, Bernabel). A lot of the Arenado money is paid at this point, could have a top three or #1 pick next year (albeit in a class that seems kind of weak this far out)
9:20
That said, I wouldn't go so far as to say I'm optimistic. The major league team is at best a year away, probably two. I like the flier on Dollander but he's coming off a mediocre draft year at Tennessee and the rest of the pitching pipeline is really thin. If I had my pick of starting points around the league, I'd probably take everyone else aside from the A's above Colorado
Chris
9:20
Should The Rockies trade Kris Bryant and if so, what could they get for him?
Finn
9:20
Does KB have any trade value before trade deadline 24'?
Anthony Franco
9:21
Can't do it. They'd need to eat like 80% of the money just to get someone to take him
Guest
9:21
What ground ball pitchers will be available on the cheap for the Rockies?
Anthony Franco
9:23
Kyle Gibson eats innings and gets a decent number of grounders. Wade Miley's solid on a rate basis, albeit with some injury issues. Martín Pérez
Greg
9:23
I think there’s no unique model for a successful Coors pitcher; the bar is just set higher to achieve any degree of quality there.
Anthony Franco
9:23
Yeah this is a much more concise way of putting it haha
Ghost of Don Baylor
9:23
Do you think flipping hitters with upside (as the league views it) for young controllable pitching depth might be the route to go? Don't extend guys, go the route of the A's and get most return when you can?
Anthony Franco
9:24
Eventually could get to that point, but I don't think this is the time for it. Just not enough position player on the MLB roster right now
9:25
Aside from McMahon and Nolan Jones, they don't have many immediate MLB pieces they could swap out for big league rotation help. Teams would take a shot on Brendan Rodgers but it'd be a major sell-low, probably for a depth arm
9:26
If Rodgers rebounds and Adael Amador looks like he'll be a factor by 2025, let's say, then it makes sense to try to flip Rodgers this summer for MLB or upper minors starting pitching
Jay
9:26
The Orioles moved their fences back and turned a hitters paradise into a pitchers park. I think the Rockies need to move the fences IN and make them much higher. Less grass for bloop hits and hopefully tall fences will prevent enough HR. Thoughts?
Anthony Franco
9:27
It'd reduce the batting average on balls in play but I don't think the taller fences are doing a whole lot to mitigate the home run issues you'd get
There'd be a lot of high launch angle, lazy fly balls that carry out
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