Rox Talk - Is It April Yet?

Is it April Yet?

This is the time of the season that just bores me.  Yes real games are playing (Spring Training - Baseball's Evil Temptress).  2012 is almost here but so far the Rox find themselves 1-5, last in the Cactus League.  Should I care?  No not really. See chart below on what preseason versus season winning percentages actually means.  Consider this year to be an extended try out for a lot of borderline players.  The age of the Rox starting nine is such that I think Tracy knows these guys will be ready.  Of course we also don't want to get a slow start in April either so let's hope that as March wanes the Rox get it in gear.

What Does Spring Mean?

Ubaldo - A Saint or Sinner?

Well the cat is out of the hat.  In this article, Ubaldo finally reveals his "contempt" for the management and whines about his contract.  Foremost I think the 2010 season that Ubaldo put up is one of the greatest pitching performances of the Steroid and Post Steroid Era.  It was a magical run.  Stat heads will break it down and insist it was a lot of luck and blah blah blah.  I understand but you are talking about a pitcher for one season who conquered the ghosts of pitcher's past at Coors Field.  Someone who went 19-8.  9-2 at home with an insanely low ERA of 3.19.  Who does that?  And this is my gripe with baseball stat heads...they rip offensive players for playing at Coors but they don't give any credit to a pitcher who has to pitch there.  Consider how much Larry Walker and Todd Helton Hall of Fame credentials are written off due to the Coors Field effect, but my take would be any pitcher who shows any attempt that they can compete should be anointed to the Hall of Fame instantly.  U-Ball finished 3rd in the Cy Young that year, mostly due to his non-superman performance after the All Star break (a measly 4-7).  And frankly that is probably why U-Ball didn't get any love.  No one is going to be a sustained light's out pitcher at Coors...Ever.  If U-Ball couldn't tame the beast that should tell you all that you need to know about management's desire to shell out large sums of money for pitchers.  After the debacle that was Hampton, Neagle, and Kile, the day's of pitchers getting any long term deals is nil.  

In  the end I thought U-Ball was a good kid, a great Rox but if you tank a season because you feel disrespected than I'm find that you should get shown the door.  You were a marginal pitcher when the Rox gave you a long term deal.  You found lightning in the bottle for a first half of one season...so what, millions of workers around the country have a good quarter...you don't see us clamoring and pouting that we didn't get shown the big bucks.  Good luck with the mistake by the lake.  Enjoy competing in the Big Boy League.  Just shut up and pitch.  You disrespect the game.

2012 Thoughts

Again not to be negative but I think 2013 is the year to shoot for.  This article basically tells you all you need to know about success and having a couple of inning eaters.  Rox might have two (Chacin and Gutherie).  Sure we aren't out of it but boy having a reliable starting pitcher corps sure can help...