Meet your September Rockies
| September 1, 2009 | 10:59 AM
More journal entries from Steve Foster »
Major league baseball rosters expand Tuesday, and the Colorado Rockies will have a few new faces. Who will join the team right away:
Jose Contreras, starting pitcher: He should make his first start Saturday against the Arizona Diamondbacks after being acquired from the Chicago White Sox. No one really knows if the trade will give him new life and or whether he’ll be pitching batting practice to National League hitters instead of American League hitters. The Rockies took a gamble in trying to fill Aaron Cook’s spot in the rotation, but Contreras is no worse than their in-house options at the moment.
Jason Giambi, pinch-hitter: If Giambi wears a glove during a game in September, it will be an upset. The former American League MVP was brought in to be a left-handed bat off the bench. After struggling with and then being released by Oakland this season, Giambi has found his stroke for Triple-A Colorado Springs in the last week, hitting .444 with two home runs and four RBI in six games.
Paul Phillips, catcher: Phillips was solid in a brief stint for the Rockies earlier this season when catcher Chris Iannetta was placed on the disabled list and Yorvit Torrealba left the team to deal with a family issue. He gives the Rockies some flexibility to use Iannetta or Torrealba has pinch-hitters.
Randy Flores, reliever: The left-hander was hit pretty hard in 16 games with the Rockies earlier this season, but he gives the Rockies a lefty specialist and another arm in the bullpen.
Joel Peralta, reliever: Peralta for a time was the Rockies’ primary setup man in the bullpen. But he saw his ERA balloon from 1.38 to 5.85 over a 10-appearance stretch from late June to late July before being sent out.
Who might be coming later:
Jhoulys Chacin, pitcher: Has struggled since going back to Triple-A, but Rockies could give him another shot or at least let him travel with the team.
Samuel Deduno, pitcher: Long a promising prospect for the Rockies, Deduno finally put everything together this season at Double-A Tulsa. He could be a candidate for the Rockies staff next season. If the team wants to get a look at him now, this is their chance.
Esmil Rogers, pitcher: Dominant at Double-A, a disaster at Triple-A. Unlikely to join the Rockies this season unless the team is hit with injuries in the final month.
Matt Murton, outfielder: Rejoined the Rockies for one day last week, but didn’t play and was sent back to Triple-A meaning he cannot be recalled for a few more days. Should return to the team as a pinch-hitter and backup outfielder.
Matt Miller, outfielder: He’s not on the team’s 40-man roster, so a move would have to be made to accommodate him. The 26-year-old outfielder could give the Rockies another right-handed bat off the bench if the team wanted to reward him for another solid minor-league season.
Other names to watch: Adam Eaton, Kurt Birkins, Damian Moss, Dan Ortmeier, Edwin Bellorin, Russ Ortiz, Ryan Speier, Matt Belisle and Mike McCoy.
Journals, Sports, Steve Foster
colorado rockies, esmil rogers, jason giambi, jhoulys chacin, joel peralta, jose contreras, matt miller, matt murton, paul phillips, randy flores, samuel deduno
