Rox Talk - Week 16

The Week That Was

A 2-2 week against the Brewers. The Rox currently stand at 45-50. Nine and half games behind the Giants for the division lead in third place. Currently 24-24 at home and 21-26 on the road, the Rox have been outscored by its opponents 422-421 (expected wins is 47 versus historical wins at 44). On pace for 77 wins with 718 runs scored and 720 runs against. Playoff indicator (Runs scored/Runs Against ratio) is 1.00 (1.16 indicates high playoff potential).

Double Plays

In a tweet by @schoolofrox he she (my apologies!) wondered if Rox double play machine was that good or our defense is just given too many opportunities or chances to excel? Data from Baseball Reference kindly tabulates (see below) the number of opportunities (Opp) in which the opposing team has a runner on first with less than two outs and the number of double plays. Data shows Rox are below average in opportunities and extremely good at getting the opposing team to hit into a double play.

All Star Game

Another exciting (note the sarcasm) All Star game in the books.  For the second year in a row, the NL wins thus ensuring home field advantage in the World Series.  Unlike other games this one seemed lopsided from the start.  The NL pitching roster was just filthy while most of the AL star pitchers were watching this one on TV.  Not for sure if the players felt that way too but it seemed the NL was in it to win it while the AL just simply went through the motions.  Not a lot of excitement from the AL.  Kind of disheartening...

U-Ball Trade Rumors

Popping up in some twitter feeds and blog postings is the thought that the Rox are listening to possible trade propositions for U-Ball's services.  Funny how rumors like this start.  Suddenly we hear that U-Ball is disgruntled because of the money shelled out to CarGo and Tulo this past fall.  We hear management has been frustrated with undisclosed injuries and what not.  Certainly a situation ripe for conspiracy baseball theorist but I have to think a lot of this is just not true. 

I don't know U-Ball personally but he seems like a nice kid.  Doesn't need his ego fed.  As far as his lackluster finish last year and struggles this year it would seem that maybe we don't know the whole picture.  I give credit at least for the Rox listening.  Some teams might get desperate and with our salary impairments being able to rake in a treasure trove of players might just be the way to get things done (i.e. Texas Rangers?). 

It is obvious to me that 2011 is done and like it or not this current make up isn't going to get it done.  Too many holes to fill and certain players haven't developed as planned.  Rox threw the dice and came up empty.  Rox aren't going into the free agent market to remake this team so really the only way to get better on paper is to trade a high value pitcher and hope prospects get us to the next level.

Sure hate to see a fireballer get sent away but baseball takes 25 guys and right now the three O's aren't enough to even win the NL Wild West...how are we going to beat the likes of Philadelphia or Atlanta?  That is why I don't buy jersey with a player's name on it because in the Colorado market who know what Dealin' Dan might just do...