2007 Rockies Offseason Thread | Rumors/Transactions/Discussion - Page 9

CSM · February 16th, 2007, 06:55 PM

Veteran reliever Matt Herges was signed to a minor league contract and will compete for a spot in the bullpen.

Also… a few recent minor league depth signings:
2B Frank Menechino, 3B Russ Johnson, SS Erick Almonte, SS Eric Riggs, LHP Matt Ford and RHP Jorge DePaula were signed to minor league contracts.

RMF · February 16th, 2007, 08:19 PM

Quite a few familiar names on that list

BigRapidsJackass · February 16th, 2007, 09:12 PM

Basically all organizational filler except, possibly, for Herges.

Now, I really don't like Herges. The objective, stat-based side of me says there's no such thing as a pitcher who consistently rises to the occasion when put in demanding roles; likewise, there's no such thing as a quality setup man who just can't handle the closer role.

But then I look at Herges and Hawkins and I tell the left side of my brain to just shut the **** up ...

... actually, the Herges signing represents yet another example of "Dan O'Dowed, Moneyballer." So far we've picked up:

-- Rodrigo Lopez, seriously undervalued by all but stat-heads based on his scary ERA and reputation as a loser; his component stats still say "solid 3rd starter type."

-- Todd Buchholz, he of the "unluckiest situational luck" among NL starters last year.

-- Javy Lopez, the ultimate cheapo signing who O'Dowd might be able to squeeze just a little more value out of.

-- Willy Taveras, another guy I just don't like but who -- if the modern defensive metrics are to be believed -- is a tremendous defensive centerfielder and therefore a fine bargain at the "throw in in the Jennings trade" price and salary.

-- LaTroy Hawkins, the setup guy who scared away everyone else (including me) with that scary precipitous drop-off in his strikeout rate.

-- and now Herges, a workhorse out of the pen who turned in a rather workmanlike and reasonably useful 70+ appearances for the Marlins last year, despite an extremely unlucky .350 + BABIP against. If that BABIP comes down to normal and he's got another 60+ games in that 37 year old arm, he's got a good chance to be better than the expensive Jose Mesas of the world (and LaTroy Hawkinses, too).

So this year will actually be a good test of the new saber-savvy Moneyballin' O'Dowd.

Heltonfan · February 16th, 2007, 09:30 PM

Herges:
2004: 4.11 FIP, 5.49 ERC
2005: 4.08 FIP, 5.11 ERC
2006: 3.96 FIP, 5.25 ERC

Freakishly consistent, and not in a good way. The guy has gotten slaughtered on balls in play for three years in a row; only the most hard-line DIPS theorist would call that "luck." Herges isn't a saber-savvy acquisition, he's just a garden-variety replacement-level-ish pitcher getting a garden-variety replacement-level-ish minor league contract. He only managed a decent ERA last year because his situational luck was almost as good as Buchholz's was bad.

And if he makes the team, it will probably be at the expense of Ramirez or Corpas. Which would be a real shame.

rockieprogress · February 17th, 2007, 09:44 AM

The only off-season aquisition that bothers me is Hawkins.

I think he's going to be a waste of money, but I hope I'm wrong...

February 16th, 2007, 06:55 PM	#121 (permalink)
CSM Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Denver Posts: 33	Last moves of the offseason…. Veteran reliever Matt Herges was signed to a minor league contract and will compete for a spot in the bullpen. Also… a few recent minor league depth signings: 2B Frank Menechino, 3B Russ Johnson, SS Erick Almonte, SS Eric Riggs, LHP Matt Ford and RHP Jorge DePaula were signed to minor league contracts.

February 16th, 2007, 08:19 PM	#122 (permalink)
RMF Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 206	Familiar names Quite a few familiar names on that list

February 16th, 2007, 09:12 PM	#123 (permalink)
BigRapidsJackass Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 1,175	Basically all organizational filler except, possibly, for Herges. Now, I really don't like Herges. The objective, stat-based side of me says there's no such thing as a pitcher who consistently rises to the occasion when put in demanding roles; likewise, there's no such thing as a quality setup man who just can't handle the closer role. But then I look at Herges and Hawkins and I tell the left side of my brain to just shut the **** up ... ... actually, the Herges signing represents yet another example of "Dan O'Dowed, Moneyballer." So far we've picked up: -- Rodrigo Lopez, seriously undervalued by all but stat-heads based on his scary ERA and reputation as a loser; his component stats still say "solid 3rd starter type." -- Todd Buchholz, he of the "unluckiest situational luck" among NL starters last year. -- Javy Lopez, the ultimate cheapo signing who O'Dowd might be able to squeeze just a little more value out of. -- Willy Taveras, another guy I just don't like but who -- if the modern defensive metrics are to be believed -- is a tremendous defensive centerfielder and therefore a fine bargain at the "throw in in the Jennings trade" price and salary. -- LaTroy Hawkins, the setup guy who scared away everyone else (including me) with that scary precipitous drop-off in his strikeout rate. -- and now Herges, a workhorse out of the pen who turned in a rather workmanlike and reasonably useful 70+ appearances for the Marlins last year, despite an extremely unlucky .350 + BABIP against. If that BABIP comes down to normal and he's got another 60+ games in that 37 year old arm, he's got a good chance to be better than the expensive Jose Mesas of the world (and LaTroy Hawkinses, too). So this year will actually be a good test of the new saber-savvy Moneyballin' O'Dowd.

February 16th, 2007, 09:30 PM	#124 (permalink)
Heltonfan Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Yerevan, Armenia Posts: 902	Herges: 2004: 4.11 FIP, 5.49 ERC 2005: 4.08 FIP, 5.11 ERC 2006: 3.96 FIP, 5.25 ERC Freakishly consistent, and not in a good way. The guy has gotten slaughtered on balls in play for three years in a row; only the most hard-line DIPS theorist would call that "luck." Herges isn't a saber-savvy acquisition, he's just a garden-variety replacement-level-ish pitcher getting a garden-variety replacement-level-ish minor league contract. He only managed a decent ERA last year because his situational luck was almost as good as Buchholz's was bad. And if he makes the team, it will probably be at the expense of Ramirez or Corpas. Which would be a real shame.

February 17th, 2007, 09:44 AM	#125 (permalink)
rockieprogress Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: aurora Posts: 183	The only off-season aquisition that bothers me is Hawkins. I think he's going to be a waste of money, but I hope I'm wrong...