Matt Reynolds Trade Thoughts & Links

Regardless of size or significance, every single trade a team makes in this social media and blog driven world is met with reactions (often overreactions).

Here's mine to the trade Colorado Rockies made on Tuesday, which sent left-hander reliever Matt Reynolds to the division rival Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for 24-year-old corner IF/OF Ryan Wheeler.

*Shrug*

I always liked Matt Reynolds for his durability, versatility and the fact he attended the same high school as my cousins in St. Charles, IL. I also realize the importance of left-hander relievers, but he's totally replaceable, just as most bullpens arms are. Not that the Rockies have or will acquire upgrades, but there's a better chance of stumbling in production in middle relief (see Josh Roenicke and Adam Ottavino) than any other position.

That said, I'm not so sure we're getting a meaningful piece back here in Ryan Wheeler. It's a little frustrating, too, because it seems like Reynolds would have been more valuable in a package for something a little more significant. This one has the feel of the typical Rockies trade that doesn't maximize the value of the talent involved and ultimately turns into a throwaway, but it will certainly take time to figure that out for sure.

In the meantime, here's a little taste of the Diamondbacks perspective on Wheeler courtesy of the Arizona Republic's Nick Piecoro:

The Diamondbacks likely were willing to trade Wheeler in large part because of his perceived defensive shortcomings. Scouts have had concerns about the big-bodied Wheeler’s mobility at third base for years now, and Wheeler has worked hard to try to become more agile. 

But defense and athleticism seem to be turning into an enormous factors in most Diamondbacks acquisitions lately, so it’s not a big surprise that they don’t view Wheeler as their archetypal third baseman. 

The other question with him is whether he’ll be able to hit for enough power in the majors; he’s more of a natural opposite-field hitter, and the Diamondbacks’ coaches were working with him this season on pulling the ball more regularly, driving it with more authority. 

He’s headed to the best hitter’s ballpark in baseball, so we’ll see if he’ll be able to hit enough to make up for whatever defensive shortcomings may exist. 

The other thing is, he has a tremendous work ethic and makeup, so there’s little question he’ll put in the time and effort to improve.

It sounds like there's some work to do here on both sides of the field, but based on that information I'm going to guess the Rockies will give Wheeler a long look at first base this spring.

Links

Speaking of trades, Chris Jaffe over at the Hardball Times posted a couple recent historical items on the Rockies, including the Mike Hampton-Juan Pierre deal from 2002.

10th anniversary of a big Marlins-Rockies trade

He also has a post up discussing the expansion draft from 20 years ago.

20th anniversary: NL expansion draft

Good stuff, as always, from Mr. Jaffe and his crew. 

I also came across a year old interview with Dante Bichette's wife, Mariana, where she discusses her role as a baseball wife and mom.

Mariana Bichette Interview: Meet a Real Life Baseball Mom and Wife

More Rockies thoughts await you if you follow me on Twitter: @Townie813 & @HeavenHelton

Celebrating The Hire Of Dante Bichette

Dante Bichette was my favorite player growing up. There really wasn't a close second, though Vinny Castilla would have been the choice until Todd Helton came along. 

With that out of the way, I've obviously been hoping for many years that Dante would be back in the Rockies fold in some capacity before all was said and done. That it's happening now as the hitting coach is really very exciting.

Forgot the fact that this coaching staff could be in place for just one season — that won't be the case because they will inevitably improve with better health, and ownership will be convinced things are headed in the right direction regardless of the truth — I'm just happy to have a guy in place who truly understands the unique situation he's walking into, and can draw on past experiences to aid his teaching.

But as I mentioned on Twitter after the announcement was made...

I have little doubt Dante Bichette will give great hitting advice. Who listens and how it's used is up the players. The end. #rockies
— Mark Townsend (@Townie813) November 13, 2012

Don Baylor had experience at Coors Field, too, and seemed to struggle putting gameplans together for Rockies hitters. What that means, if anything, I honestly don't know, but he's done at least a decent job in Arizona and obviously knows hitting, The sure difference, though, is with Bichette you have a guy who has stood in that batter's box at Coors Field hundreds of times, has made his own adjustments on the road, and has his own feel for the proper mental approach.

That's a positive step up.

Despite some really ugly swings when his best guess was wrong, Bichette also had great instincts.

But Bichette's greatest quality was that he never gave away an at-bats, especially with two strikes. Bichette, for my money, is the best two strike hitter in last 20 years. As great as Helton is in the same situation I'm not sure he ever surpassed Bichette. I don't care how wrong that is, either, because it's money.

But the reason Bichette and Helton excel with two strikes is because they value each and every opportunity they get. They make the adjustments they need to on the fly just to prolong an at-bat and maybe capitalize on a mistake. That really is and was the art and beauty of their game. Now, when you hear and read scouting reports for Dante Jr. and even Beau Bichette, you know it's either in the genes or Senior is really good at getting his message across.

Bottom line, under Bichette, there will be no excuses on offense. He will have them prepared as best he can. He'll send the right messages. You can bet he's going to have them watching a lot of video. And it wouldn't surprise me if their first assignment at spring training is reading The Science of Hitting by Ted Williams.(Dante read that book countless times throughout his career.)  It will be up to the players to listen, learn, adjust when necessary and execute.

Now we just need to find a pitching coach/director/instructor/whatever that can boast the same experience and success from the pitching side of things. Sadly, that guy isn't out there, but I'm feeling really good about the lineup.

Oh, and let's also trade for Dante Bichette Jr. just to cover all the bases here.

Please?

More Rockies thoughts await you if you follow me on Twitter: @Townie813 & @HeavenHelton

Rock Solid Recrap: Blame me for the one-hit wonder

The Rockies were doomed from the start on Friday night. 

Why? 

Because I wrote this when I posted the Lineup Card prior to the game:

There's your best possible Rockies lineup on display for I believe the first time this season. And when you look at where Chacin is right now, that includes the pitcher's spot.

So let that be a lesson to me. Just shut up.

Marlins 4, Rockies 1 (boxscore)

At first this looked like it could be the Rockies night. After Dexter Fowler walked leading off and moved to second on a passed ball, Jonathan Herrera moved him to third with a ground out to the right side. After Carlos Gonzalez struck out again, Troy Tulowitzki hit a routine grounder that third baseman Emilio Bonifacio fielded cleanly, but threw low and Gaby Sanchez couldn't handle it.

Gift run.

But all of that good feeling was quickly washed away when Chris Coghlan pulled Jhoulys Chacin's second pitch into the right field bleachers.

And then went further away when Chacin couldn't make a play on an Anibal Sanchez suicide squeeze in the 2nd. It would have been a terrific play, and he had time to make it, but the scoop toss straight from his glove short-hopped Iannetta and he couldn't handle it.

That right there was all the breathing room Sanchez would need. As you've probably seen or heard, Sanchez only allowed one hit on the evening. That being a broken bat grounder just past the reach of Omar Infante at second leading off the ninth.

Tip your cap to Anibal. He was a special kind of good. And his resume looks pretty good right now with one no-hitter and two one-hitters.

On the other side, Jhoulys Chacin was not sharp at all, but color me not the least bit surprised or worried. All pitchers are going to struggle, and often times they struggle the most when they have extra rest between starts. That's the situation Chacin was facing Friday, having not thrown in an entire week. There's something to keeping a schedule, routine and rhythm for pitchers. That's why Jim Tracy has been conscious of it in the past.

I expect much better from Chacin on Wednesday afternoon in Chicago.

I expect much better overall play Saturday in Florida.

And I expect Dante Bichette to never be invited to throw batting practice rounds again.

On second thought, don't blame me for the one-hitter. Blame it on Dante!

In Honor of Dante Bichette's Return to Coors Field

There's no doubt Dante Bichette was the Rockies original Rock Star.



The electricity in the ballpark every time Sledgehammer played was off the charts. I know that's one of the things that drew me to Dante, along with his flare for the dramatics and his unusual batting stance that I attempted to emulate throughout with Little League and high school career. With far less success I might add.

Thankfully my mom never let me grow the mullet, but I always had the batting stance.

It'll be nice to see Dante at the ballpark tonight. His walk-off homer in that first Coors Field game is one of my favorite baseball moments. I'll always remember watching that game on ESPN (one of the few I got watch back in those days) and just being pumped beyond pumped that they won.

Thanks for that memory Dante... and welcome home.