Comments on: NLDS Coverage: Rockies Should Bench Hawpe

By: Bluecaboose

Bluecaboose — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 05:17:32 +0000

I like Hawpe, a lot, and I honestly can’t tell that his defense is that bad from watching him (of course the statistics are obviously predisposed against him, and wholly so that it is impossible to say that Hawpe plays good defense, or even average defense.) I like his bat, although he seemed to really struggle during the last part of the year. Then again I would also like to dump Atkins on the phillies and shoot Clint Barmes into the sun, so take that as you will.

I would love to see Hawpe traded (dumping him in july would have been preferable when he was still hitting like .325/.400/.580) simply because our outfield is so crowded. Fowler/Smith/Gonzalez all have legitimate cases to start, and Spilly shouldn’t be a fifth outfielder, his talent level is significantly better than that (and he’s a great platoon option with Smith/Gonzalez against lefties. I’m sure there is a remedial outfielder in AAA that can serve as a late game defensive sub for us somewhere down there.

I however am going to be pissed when Jim Tracy wins manager of the year, just like Joe Maddon. He didn’t do anything special except overmanage our bullpen, and write out questionable at best lineups, yet got carried to a ludicrous record by sheer talent. At the time Clint Hurdle was fired, the Rockies were playing decent baseball, they were just getting incredibly unlucky. I believe they had a fairly positive run diff while Hurdle was managing.

By: Paul F.

Paul F. — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 01:56:56 +0000

As a longtime Rockies fan, nothing is more frustrating than watching Seth Smith sit on the bench every day while Brad Hawpe marches out into RF. He is truly an awful defender, and looks it, but his strong arm tricks – apparently – Rockies management. His bat is terribly overrated, as well.

Tracy may have worked some incredible magic in the clubhouse, but oh my does he write out a lot of head-scratchers on the lineup card.

Free Seth Smith!

By: Steve

Steve — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 08:33:40 +0000

Doesn’t Dave’s argument also mean that there should be several AL teams that target Hawpe in the offseason if they have a hole at DH and need help scoring runs? (‘cough’ Mariners ‘cough’). According to WAR, Hawpe is their 3rd outfielder, but Fowler should soon pass him and Hawpe will make $7.5 million next year. That the AL team trading for him will have to eat the $11 million club option (Hawpe gets to void it if traded) should depress his trade value significantly.

By: vivaelpujols

vivaelpujols — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 03:57:10 +0000

Click on his website and read some of the articles posted there.

By: lookatthosetwins

lookatthosetwins — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 03:40:34 +0000

But that would have been different. Kubel should be DHing every single day, and Gomez should be in center. It’s obvious. It’s not just when lefties are pitching.

By: BLestz

BLestz — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 03:22:02 +0000

Nice call, Dave. The argument is further enhanced by Hawpe’s brutal numbers since June ended.

By: Coby DuBose

Coby DuBose — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 21:19:01 +0000

That guy’s CAPS LOCKED RESPONSE about veteran presence.

By: JoeR43

JoeR43 — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 20:51:33 +0000

Reverse jinx alert.

By: Nate

Nate — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 19:52:53 +0000

Torrealba is looking pretty good now…

Small sample size strikes again.

By: JoeR43

JoeR43 — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 19:08:29 +0000

Not to mention Spilborghs rocks a .294/.367/.483 career line vs. lefties. Obviously not Pujolsian, but clearly better than Hawpe vs. lefties.