Other » A mix of on field factors and philosophical assumptions

WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections Scaling the RocksPebble ReportRockpileRockies Game ThreadsRockies Fan Experience7 reasons why I’m optimistic about the 2019 RockiesNew http://www.twinsfanproshop.com/authentic-max-kepler-jersey ,29commentsA mix of on field factors and philosophical assumptions comprise the reasons 7 reasons why I’m optimistic about the 2019 RockiesThe 2019 Rockies have taken shape, and I’m excited. I’ve predicted a 93-win season, and I think they can win the West. (Frankly, it’s probably their best chance to make the post-season.) Here’s why I’m optimistic, both because of on-field factors, as well as more philosophical reasons.1. The core of this team remains intact from 2017 and 2018 Four players have moved on (Carlos Gonz ez, DJ LeMahieu, Adam Ottavino, and Gerardo Parra), but Nolan Arenado, Charlie Blackmon, and Trevor Story play on in purple. Equally important, the starting pitchers are back. This mix has worked for the last two years, and I think it will work again.2. The Rockies addressed their problemsIt turns out, the negative-run differential we talked about in 2018 mattered. The Rockies have attempted to address their offensive deficiency. They signed Daniel Murphy, who appears ideally suited to rake at Coors, and Raimel Tapia, Ryan McMahon Byron Buxton Jersey , and Garrett Hampson have benefited from another year of seasoning. I didn’t think the Rockies could replace LeMahieu, but it appears they have. (I expect Garrett Hampson to make himself an essential player very quickly.)The hiring of Dave Magadan underscores the Rockies’ quest for a different offensive approach, which is an additional advantage of signing hitting savant Murphy. In Spring Training, Ian Desmond and Tony Wolters look better at the plate. Yes, the stats don’t matter, but this team has been better at bringing home runners — a contrast to2017 and 2018, when the Rockies ranked 25th in terms of wRC+ with runners in scoring position. I suspect negative-run differential comments will be a thing of the past (and I’m okay with that).3. The catching situation is fineI’ve written about this before, and I know it’s not a popular opinion, but Chris Iannetta and Wolters are fine. They have shown they work well with this pitching staff, and Jeff Bridich and Bud Black have been clear that they see the catcher position as primarily defensive. The signing of Drew Butera to a minor league contract is in character with Black’s tendency to have an experienced catcher ready to step in. They will (probably) not rake, but they will be solid defensemen.4. The bullpen will be fineScott Oberg is ready to fill Ottavino’s place in the 8th inning, and Mike Dunn appears to be back. Add Wade Davis, Seunghwan Oh, and DJ Johnson, and the backend of the bullpen is set. Then there are the X factors: Carlos Est茅vez, Yency Almonte, Harrison Musgrave, and Chris Rusin. Add to that the two pitchers everyone worries about: Bryan Shaw and Jake McGee. (I’m cautiously optimistic about Shaw.) Bud Black will not suffer bad pitching — even if those pitchers are well paid. He’s got other options http://www.twinsfanproshop.com/authentic-max-kepler-jersey , and if the Rockies thought they needed Ottavino to win, they would have tried to keep him in Colorado. (The Rockies’ decision to trade for Phillip Diehl, a Kyle Freeland University of Evansville teammate, is not a coincidence.)has taken this to heart. 6. The plan is workingI’ve written about the Rockies’ plan before (grow your own players; trade carefully to fill gaps; never forget that good pitching is essential to winning). Moreover, in a time of tanking, the Rockies are (responsibly) expanding their payroll.Last year, we not only saw the plan in action, but we got a better sense of how Black implements it. He and Iannetta were clear in articulating the Rockies’ philosophy: Don’t get too hot; don’t get too cold; stay around .500 and be ready to jump on the hot streak. Addressing the offensive problems should make that easier to achieve.7. This team (finally) knows who it isLast year, in an improbable turn, pitching saved the Rockies, a team forever burdened with the presumption of offense and the weight of hitting at Coors. Not in 2018. This was a year of the Rockies trying to find their identity.They appear to have been successful. Here’s how Groke put it in a recent online discussion: “And how do they feel about themselves? I don’t see the swagger of a team like the Dodgers who have won the division six years in a row. I see a team that knows who they are. It’s not a lack of confidence. It’s more like a quiet duty. They are good enough to win the West, but new enough to that idea that they have a lot to prove still.”That “knowing you can do it but still having a lot to prove” is a situation I like. It reminds me of a line in “My Shot” from the musical Hamilton: That’s how I see the 2019 Rockies, and I like their odds. The D-backs acquired Escobar hoping to catch lightning in a bottle; it was more of a light shower."WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections Diamondbacks Farm TeamsGameday ThreadsDiamondbacks NewsDiamondbacks Game ReportsFang Food2018 Arizona Diamondbacks Player Reviews: #10, Eduardo EscobarNew,15commentsThe D-backs acquired Escobar hoping to catch lightning in a bottle; it was more of a light shower.a fringe bench bat to legitimate starter. Escobar was a main reason for a decent start to the season for the Twins and was arguably the top infielder available after the Manny Machado trade to the Dodgers.The D-backs probably had minimal contact with the Twins about Escobar before a regular Thursday game against the Cubs but Jake Lamb re-injured his shoulder, with the end result of him being placed on the injured reserved. The front office responded in turn, acquiring Escobar that next day for a smattering of 3 young prospects who are 2 years away from being 2 years away. While it wasn’t on the level of a J.D Martinez acquisition, public opinion of the trade was a good one and the D-backs were immediately rewarded http://www.twinsfanproshop.com/authentic-max-kepler-jersey , as Escobar went 2 for 4 in a 9-4 win against the Padres. Lamb was on the DL and 3rd base was Eduardo’s for the rest of the year.Eduardo was just as advertised for the team down the stretch; he continued the solid performance in August, slashing 275/.346/.473 and providing an improvement on the defensive side compared to the inconsistent 2018-version of Lamb. September saw a performance swoon from just about everyone, Escobar included. Of course, that didn’t stop Escobar from walking off the Dodgers late in the season.Your browser does not support HTML5 video.Unforunately, the end of the season meant Escobar was a free agent, able to sign with any team in the league. As a 30 year old coming off two strong seasons while having positional flexibility to play anywhere in the infield (and some outfield in a pinch), Escobar was setup to cash in. Ben Zobrist was in a similar situation a couple years prior, coming off a couple very good recent offensive seasons while showing excellent positional flexibility. The Cubs rewarded him with a 4 year, $56 million deal. Of course, Ben was also 34 but age hasn’t been an issue for him as he’s been a stud going into his last season with the team.Which is why Escobar signing a seemingly below-market deal (3 years, $21 million) to stay with Arizona seems like such a weird outcome, especially when you consider Eduardo signed very early in the offseason. I’ll let Eduardo explain his reasoning (Athletic subscription required):Of course, it helps that Scottsdale houses his favorite restaurant, Fogo De Ch茫o. During the season, he hosted a fundraiser supporting his charity and is seen by many as a wonderful team ambassador.