Some Rockies-centric Links (2.14.23)

Here’s what I’m reading and listening to this week.

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Sure, it’s Valentine’s Day — and here’s wishing you a happy one! But for most baseball fans, the big news is that pitchers and catchers report tomorrow. Soon, we’re going to have Spring Training baseball and the World Baseball Classic.

It’s a nice time of year (despite the fact that it’s snowing here as I prepare to send this.)

And now to this week’s recommended content.

• This is a nice piece from Travis Sawchik on MLB spending — and why owners complaining about their peers won’t resolve any issues (The Score.)

• After Dick Monfort’s comments about the Rockies possibly playing .500 baseball in 2023, MLB Trade Rumors published their season preview of the team — complete with a poll asking if readers think the Rockies are, in fact, a .500 team. (The results will probably not surprise you.

• It’s Black History Month, and Skyler Timmins has begun a series on the iconic Don Baylor (Purple Row).

• Another list of prospect rankings dropped, this time from Keith Law of The Athletic (subscription required).

  Codify @CodifyBaseball

  The 2022 Rockies scored 698 runs. The 1996 Rockies scored 658 runs....at home.

• While the comparison is not exact (the 1996 Rockies did not deal with the humidor), there’s no denying that the 2022 Rockies’ offense was not good.

• Mark Knudson does his own divisional realignment, which is kind of a trend this offseason (1310KFKA.com).

• Pierce Johnson found himself on Leo Morgenstern’s “overlooked relievers” list (FanGraphs).

• The World Baseball Classic promises to be a highlight for baseball fans worldwide. Alan Trejo will be playing on Team Mexico and describes his thoughts on the experience.

  Renee Dechert | reneedechert@masto.ai @ReneeDechert

  Alan Trejo:

  

  mlb.comTrejo on playing for Team Mexico | 02/12/2023Alan Trejo speaks to MLB Network Radio to discuss playing for Team Mexico in the upcoming World Baseball Classic

• Also, Kyle Freeland is back on Team USA after Nestor Cortes suffered a right hamstring strain.

  Kyle Freeland @KFREE_21

  Im excited to have the opportunity to represent Team USA at the World Baseball Classic. Being able to play in this event is a true dream. It's even more exciting to share the moment with 6 of my Rockies teammates also representing their countries. Now let's go win this! #ForGlory

  

• This conversation between Patrick Saunders and Kyle Newman includes an interesting interview with Case Williams.

• Was there really an offseason if all 30 broadcast booths weren’t ranked? Sean Roberts’ assessment is more generous toward the Rockies broadcasters than most. (Pitcher List.)

• This from Jesse Rogers is about the best thing I’ve read on the coming rule changes (ESPN.com — subscription required).

• Garrett Hampson is officially on the “Old Friends” list, but this is an insightful player preview from Ely Sussman (Fish Stripes).

Get rested up, everyone, because soon, we’ll be watching baseball.

Look for a new Rockies Pitch on Friday.

Thanks for reading —

Renee

@ReneeDechert (Twitter) ★ @ReneeDechert (Mastodon) ★ @Renee.Dechert (Instagram) ★ @ReneeDechert (Post)