With right-hander Jason Hirsh going down to a leg injury, do you think the Rockies should go after David Wells off waivers? Also, with the problems at the catcher position, should the Rockies go after Mike Piazza?
-- Landry B., Billings, Mont.
Manager Clint Hurdle was asked about the possibility of signing Wells, recently released by the Padres. The Rockies had no interest.
They don't feel Wells is a fit with the current mix of players, and they noted that Wells struggled this season at PETCO Park, a pitcher's paradise.
Now, I don't run the Rockies' clubhouse and I'm only an observer, and I don't know Wells. I've found him pleasant the few times I've ever been in his presence. But Wells not fitting in with the group doesn't mean much to me.
Wells has a wealth of postseason experience, and he has pitched in three World Series. The Rockies have one player, center fielder Willy Taveras, who has ever played in a Fall Classic (catcher Yorvit Torrealba was active for the Giants in 2002, but Benito Santiago caught every postseason game).
The second part is more meaningful. If they truly feel he no longer has the ability to push a team over the top, then there is no reason to sign him.
As for Piazza or any other longtime veteran who would want to be a starter, the Rockies don't need that. Torrealba is performing well enough and hasn't broken down despite playing in more games than he ever has. Having Geronimo Gil is fine, and the Rockies could get a lift if rookie Chris Iannetta corrects his hitting issues at Triple-A Colorado Springs and can be a useful player next month.
Do you think Brian Fuentes will be handed the closer's job back when he comes off the disabled list or will Manny Corpas keep the job? I'd like to see Corpas keep the job the way he is pitching.
-- James P., Boston
On the scale of disclosure, Hurdle ranged from coy to noncommittal to secretive when asked about his plans for Fuentes, the Rockies' three-time All-Star left-hander who should be activated for this week's road trip against the Padres and the Dodgers.
Beyond saying Fuentes will pitch in late innings immediately, Hurdle offered no specifics. Part of the reason is it will depend on how healthy Fuentes actually is and how well he pitches. Part of it is that Hurdle gains nothing by laying out his plans.
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If they both throw well, Hurdle could decide who pitches those final outs depending on where the opposing team is in the batting order and who is available to pinch-hit. Hurdle would have to outmaneuver the other manager and hope that he handles the personalities on his team.
Is there a concern about Iannetta's bat? He's solid behind the plate, which has to be worth something. If you combine the catchers' numbers, it's a pretty effective eighth slot. What's the word among the press and in the organization?
-- Kirk S., Fort Collins, Colo.
There was enough concern about Iannetta to send him to Triple-A, but there are some positives about his approach. He is real conscious of the strike zone. It seems a matter of making him being just a little more aggressive.
I thought he played too much early. It's one thing for a veteran to have three bad weeks and come to the plate staring at a sub-.200 batting average on the scoreboard. It's a little tougher when you don't have years of big league at-bats on the back of your baseball card.
He was already deep in a hole before Torrealba became the primary catcher.
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