Denver Post sports writer Patrick Saunders with the latest installment of his Rockies Mailbag.
Pose a Rockies — or MLB — related question for the Rockies Mailbag.
With the Phillies losing their first baseman, is there any chance the Rockies would entertain parting with C.J. Cron — perhaps for a prospect or two that could join our next wave of talent (Drew Romo, Zac Veen, Brendan Doyle, Benny Montgomery, etc.)? I’m not sure if Michael Toglia is ready, but Elehuris Montero, Moose (Mike Moustakas) and Toglia would be responsible for first and third base. I would hate to see Cron leave, but we’re not likely to be going anywhere this year regardless of whether or not Cron plays. Faithful in FoCo.
— Jim O., Fort Collins
Jim, you’re talking about Rhys Hoskins, who tore his left ACL last week. I’ve read plenty of rumors about what the Phillies might do to replace Hoskins, but I have not heard anything about the Rockies and Phillies talking about a trade for Cron. I’ve written before that Cron could very well be traded this season but I don’t think that happens right now.
Plus, the Rockies optioned Toglia to Triple-A Albuquerque on Tuesday and they want Montero to succeed at third base.
Hi Patrick, now that opening day is on the horizon, who do you see in the Rockies’ starting lineup and starting rotation, and who will be the most likely call-ups, if needed? Let the games begin!
— Judy, Denver
Hi Judy, thanks for your continued participation in the mailbag. As I wrote in my Sunday journal, I anticipate the Rockies’ basic lineup to look like this season:
1. Jurickson Profar, left field
2. Kris Bryant, right field
3. Ryan McMahon, second base
4. C.J. Cron, first base
5. Charlie Blackmon, designated hitter
6. Elehuris Montero, third base
7. Yonathan Daza, center field
8. Elias Diaz, catcher
9. Ezequiel Tovar, shortstop
Of course, this lineup will shift a lot depending on who’s facing them on the mound, injuries, hot streaks, slumps, etc.
Here is the starting rotation:
1. RHP German Marquez
2. LHP Kyle Freeland
3. LHP Austin Gomber
4. RHP Jose Urena
5. RHP Ryan Feltner
Keep in mind that when Antonio Senzatela is ready to return in May, he’ll slide into the rotation, likely replacing Feltner.
As for call-ups from the minors, I would think that first baseman/corner outfield Michael Toglia would be one of the first players promoted if he eliminates some of the holes in his swing. Outfielder Brenton Doyle looks close, too. Finally, outfielder Zac Veen could be called up before the All-Star break, depending on how he performs this spring in the minors.
As for pitchers, keep a lookout for right-handed reliever Gavin Hollowell.
If any of the Rockies’ opening-day rookies finish third or better in rookie of the year will the Rockies get a first-round draft pick under the new labor agreement? Or is that perk reserved for Yankees rookies? Thank you.
— MisterStorch, Denver
The perk or an extra draft choice was added to the current collective bargaining agreement to incentivize teams to promote top prospects to the majors. If a prospect who was on the opening day roster finishes in the top three of ROY voting or the top five of MVP/Cy Young voting, their team will receive an additional draft pick.
The new rule is called Prospect Promotion Incentive (PPI). The PPI awards teams that promote prospects who are on at least two Top 100 lists between MLB Pipeline, ESPN and Baseball America for opening day.
The Mariners were the first team to benefit from the new rule. They promoted top prospect Julio Rodriguez to the active roster for opening day and the outfielder slashed .284/.345/.509 with 28 home runs and 25 stolen bases. As a result, he won the American League rookie of the year and Seattle was awarded the 29th overall pick in the 2023 draft.
Do the Rockies have a candidate that could earn them an extra pick? Perhaps Zac Veen.
I don’t understand your Yankees reference.
Question about the new rules. With the new limited pickoff attempts, what’s to stop a runner from taking off to steal as soon as a pitcher steps on the (rubber) after the pitcher has already thrown over to first (two) times? Can he still step off without a penalty?
— Dave, Eagle River, Ark.
Dave, that’s a great question and one that I’ll admit I was not sure how to explain. So I asked Rockies manager Bud Black about it. Here’s what Black told me:
“Patrick, you can tell Dave from Arkansas that the pitcher can still step off the rubber if the runner takes off, and the pitcher can still throw to the middle infielder or first base and get the baserunner in a rundown. But you have to get him out.
“The runner would advance to second (on a balk) if he gets back to first base safely. If the runner advances to second base, he would have been safe there anyway.”
I’ve given up on the Rockies. This owner doesn’t care about winning. His business model is to attract 30,000 fans, win or lose, to Coors Field every night. I don’t know how you write your column, Patrick, without inserting eye-roll emojis. We are like the Kansas City A’s of the 1950s, a feeder team for franchises who are actually trying to win a championship. Angry in Aurora.
— Robert J. Koch, Aurora
Robert, I don’t include opinions like yours in my mailbag very often because you are not really posing a question. However, yours is a common theme that I hear from a lot of Rockies fans who are discouraged. So I’m letting you vent here. You’re welcome.
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