For those of you who don't know, the name Nene means baby in Portuguese. That name seemingly fits him perfectly. Chris Dempsey of the Denver Post recently sat down with Nene to learn that he may opt out of his contract this offseason. In the article, Nene goes on about how he feels unappreciated by the organization and wants the salary he thinks he deserves. He talks about how much he has sacrificed for this team. If you ask me, he's being a big baby.
First of all, this would be a horrible time for Nene to opt out. With the CBA set to expire and the uncertainty of how much players can make, he would be leaving a lot on the table. If it's money that Nene is interested in, it would be wise of him to stay under contract for the final year.
Nene complains about not being respected, and I'm not so sure his play demands full respect. Every year, Nene is supposed to break out and have a huge season, finally live up to the potential that he has. And every year, he plays mediocre. With his size and athleticism, he should dominate inside. Instead, he remains soft and unwilling to bruise inside the paint. The most rebounds he has ever averaged in a season is 7.8 a game. Are you kidding me? That number should be much higher, but he's not aggressive enough. This past year he averaged 14.5 points a game. Nene is a guy who could easily average 20 and 10 a game and absolutely should if he expects to get paid as the top centers do in the league.
Sure, you can make the argument that he's out of position, playing center when he's really a power forward, but with the frame Nene has, he is suited perfectly to be a center. He complains that he likes playing power forward better, but honestly, his numbers weren't any better when he did play there consistently, so I don't buy that argument.
When he says that he has sacrificed a lot for this team, that I am ok with. This is a man who has overcome two major injuries and cancer. He is a tough guy when it comes to that aspect of thing. He has fought his way back on the court, and while on the court he needs to exhibit that same fighting spirt and bully people down low.
For Nene to get the respect he thinks he deserves, he's got to step up his game this coming season. He turns 29 later this year, so the time to reach his potential is dwindling fast. There aren't many guys his age who have finally broken through with big years after underachieving their entire careers, so Nene has to get work done, and fast. If he choses to return to the Nuggets, he'll have some tough competition in Timofey Mozgov and Kosta Koufos at center. That could also up the door for him to return to power forward, given that Kenyon Martin either doesn't return or comes off the bench next season. Either way, Nene has something to prove next season, and I really hope he does. Just look at game one versus the Thunder in this years playoffs. He had a dominant game, and while they didn't win, he kept them in from start to finish. That's the Nene I one day dream to see game in and game out.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
An Ode to Todd Helton
There were a lot of questions concerning Todd Helton this offseason. Could he stay healthy? Could he still be productive? Is he too old? Todd is doing his best this year to prove those doubters wrong.
Here's a look at Helton's stat line so far this year:
Those are some impressive numbers if you ask me. Todd's doing what has worked for him in the past. He's driving the ball to the gaps for doubles, he's seeing a lot of pitches at the plate and he's getting on base. Helton is the guy that young players should model their games after. He the consummate pro and works his butt off day in and day out, and that's led to a successful and lengthy Major League career.
The stats speak for themselves when it comes to Todd's performance this year. Recently, he's been one year on, one year off in terms of performance, and when he performs, the Rockies succeed. At 37 years old, there's not a lot of time left for Todd, and he's trying to make the most of his remaining time in the bigs.
As a Rockies fan, there is no other player who exemplifies Colorado baseball like Todd. He is, and for a long time will be, the face of the Rockies until Tulo and CarGo reach the stage Todd has. You can talk about the Blake Street Bombers of the '90's, but to me, none of them measure up to Todd. He stuck with this team when they were god awful. He came to the park everyday, played his heart out and they still would lose, and for him to not abandon Colorado the way we see so many athletes do in this age of sports, that is extremely admirable and makes be proud to be a Rockies fan and a Coloradan.
As number 17's career winds down, take time to appreciate what this man has meant to the Rockies and the community. It's not often you find a man like this in sports. Todd Helton is a special player and will live on in Rockies lore forever.
Here's a look at Helton's stat line so far this year:
| GP | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | SB | CS | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 Regular Season | 25 | 83 | 11 | 26 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 13 | 7 | 8 | 0 | 0 | .313 | .370 | .506 | .876 |
Those are some impressive numbers if you ask me. Todd's doing what has worked for him in the past. He's driving the ball to the gaps for doubles, he's seeing a lot of pitches at the plate and he's getting on base. Helton is the guy that young players should model their games after. He the consummate pro and works his butt off day in and day out, and that's led to a successful and lengthy Major League career.
The stats speak for themselves when it comes to Todd's performance this year. Recently, he's been one year on, one year off in terms of performance, and when he performs, the Rockies succeed. At 37 years old, there's not a lot of time left for Todd, and he's trying to make the most of his remaining time in the bigs.
As a Rockies fan, there is no other player who exemplifies Colorado baseball like Todd. He is, and for a long time will be, the face of the Rockies until Tulo and CarGo reach the stage Todd has. You can talk about the Blake Street Bombers of the '90's, but to me, none of them measure up to Todd. He stuck with this team when they were god awful. He came to the park everyday, played his heart out and they still would lose, and for him to not abandon Colorado the way we see so many athletes do in this age of sports, that is extremely admirable and makes be proud to be a Rockies fan and a Coloradan.
As number 17's career winds down, take time to appreciate what this man has meant to the Rockies and the community. It's not often you find a man like this in sports. Todd Helton is a special player and will live on in Rockies lore forever.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Deciphering the Rockies Bats
The Rockies may be one of the greatest puzzles ever known to man. Just when you think you have them figured out, they flip the script and become the exact opposite of what you expected.
Now I know we're a month into the season, a mere 6th of the way through. But we've gone from seeing the Rockies being a potentially elite squad to potentially a team that struggles night to night to score runs. And that's the missing ingredient with these Rockies, offense. Did you ever expect to hear that phrase about them?
This team is simply not hitting. With RISP, against lesser opponents, doesn't matter. The Rockies are hitting a collective .238, which is atrocious. There are two players hitting over .300, and that's Todd Helton and Jonathan Herrera. After a hot start, Tulo has cooled off considerably, and CarGo has had difficulty in the early going this year. Those guys will get it figured out, they are too good of players not to. It's the rest of the team you need to worry about, namely Ianetta, Stewart and Lopez.
With Chris, the OBP is high, so he is drawing walks, but when you are hitting in the 8 hole and you have two outs with runners on, swing away, especially with the pitcher on deck. I would much rather see Ianetta strike out swinging than leave it up to the pitcher to drive in the runs. Chris is too hung up on power and is trying to pull the ball too much. He's at his best when he's hitting the ball the other way and driving it to the gaps. He has to be a key player if the Rockies are to contend, and with the slew of catching prospects in waiting, time is running short.
It's the same old story with Ian Stewart. He has got to get his swing figured out somehow, and hopefully his recent "opportunity" in Colorado Springs helped him out with that. Ian has raw power and when he can make contact, good things will happen, but so far in 27 at-bats, he's struck out 12 times, gotten 2 hits and walked twice. Lucky for him, he's a defensive upgrade at 3rd and is hitting a smidge poorly than Jose Lopez.
Lopez has to hit to be in the lineup everyday, because he doesn't add much else to the team. He's a below average defender, he doesn't get on base and even when he does, he's not much of a threat to do anything. If I were a betting man, I would say the next minor league "opportunity" would be given to Lopez, especially with guys likes EY Jr. and Chris Nelson tearing it up in the Springs. Lopez was added for his bat, and he had better use it before he finds himself riding the bus again.
As for bats off the bench, so far this team has none. Giambi and Spilly have basically been non-existent. Wiggy seemed like he might have been getting going just before the injury, so we'll have to wait on that. The Rockies need to find someone to come off the bench late in games and come through with hits. They can do one of two thing. The first is to bring up a guy from the minors, whether that be Amezaga, who they have already called up, Mike Jacobs or even Josh Fields. The next would be to go after one in a trade, which, in my opinion, is the lesser attractive option.
With that being said, the Rockies are still in good position. I would much rather see them swoon early than down the stretch, obviously. However, the issues with the players mentioned above aren't new ones and need to be corrected soon if they are going to be at all. It's time fore them to grab their big boy bats and start doing work at the yard
Follow me on Twitter, @MHMagicBlog
Now I know we're a month into the season, a mere 6th of the way through. But we've gone from seeing the Rockies being a potentially elite squad to potentially a team that struggles night to night to score runs. And that's the missing ingredient with these Rockies, offense. Did you ever expect to hear that phrase about them?
This team is simply not hitting. With RISP, against lesser opponents, doesn't matter. The Rockies are hitting a collective .238, which is atrocious. There are two players hitting over .300, and that's Todd Helton and Jonathan Herrera. After a hot start, Tulo has cooled off considerably, and CarGo has had difficulty in the early going this year. Those guys will get it figured out, they are too good of players not to. It's the rest of the team you need to worry about, namely Ianetta, Stewart and Lopez.
With Chris, the OBP is high, so he is drawing walks, but when you are hitting in the 8 hole and you have two outs with runners on, swing away, especially with the pitcher on deck. I would much rather see Ianetta strike out swinging than leave it up to the pitcher to drive in the runs. Chris is too hung up on power and is trying to pull the ball too much. He's at his best when he's hitting the ball the other way and driving it to the gaps. He has to be a key player if the Rockies are to contend, and with the slew of catching prospects in waiting, time is running short.
It's the same old story with Ian Stewart. He has got to get his swing figured out somehow, and hopefully his recent "opportunity" in Colorado Springs helped him out with that. Ian has raw power and when he can make contact, good things will happen, but so far in 27 at-bats, he's struck out 12 times, gotten 2 hits and walked twice. Lucky for him, he's a defensive upgrade at 3rd and is hitting a smidge poorly than Jose Lopez.
Lopez has to hit to be in the lineup everyday, because he doesn't add much else to the team. He's a below average defender, he doesn't get on base and even when he does, he's not much of a threat to do anything. If I were a betting man, I would say the next minor league "opportunity" would be given to Lopez, especially with guys likes EY Jr. and Chris Nelson tearing it up in the Springs. Lopez was added for his bat, and he had better use it before he finds himself riding the bus again.
As for bats off the bench, so far this team has none. Giambi and Spilly have basically been non-existent. Wiggy seemed like he might have been getting going just before the injury, so we'll have to wait on that. The Rockies need to find someone to come off the bench late in games and come through with hits. They can do one of two thing. The first is to bring up a guy from the minors, whether that be Amezaga, who they have already called up, Mike Jacobs or even Josh Fields. The next would be to go after one in a trade, which, in my opinion, is the lesser attractive option.
With that being said, the Rockies are still in good position. I would much rather see them swoon early than down the stretch, obviously. However, the issues with the players mentioned above aren't new ones and need to be corrected soon if they are going to be at all. It's time fore them to grab their big boy bats and start doing work at the yard
Follow me on Twitter, @MHMagicBlog
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)