Atkins will be gone for sure. He already went through arbitration and got 7 mil this year to sit the bench. 2010 is another arbitration year, but when he files no one really expects the Rockies to make a move. Atkins himself said last week, “Obviously, I don’t think I’ve got too many more games in a Rockies uniform. I’m just trying to enjoy it with these guys. . . .” Stewart is considered the real deal and while his BA is terrible, his OPS is .783 and should project close to 800 next year. The deal we offer him (he only made 400 K this year) should set the tone for how we are going to sign Fowler, Smith, and Gonzalez.

Based on those upcoming contracts, there are plenty of tough decisions. Barmes (with EY2 behind him) and Hawpe (with 3 young starters and Spillbourghs as a value-guy off the bench as viable options in the OF) stand out as guys the front office need to think long and hard about keeping. Barmes is arbitraiton eligible and his defense may be strong enough to convince the club to keep him around anouther year as EY2 continues developing. Hawpe is set to get 7.5 million next year and has a club option in 2011. There were some rumors he would be shipped this year – so it’s likely teams will be inquiring and the Rockies will be listening.

Other than that – dont forget the rotation gets a boost with Francis back from Shoulder surgery (not a sure bet to be great again though) and Bucholtz (Tommy John) in the bullpen.

Also – its mostly the Rockies fault that these are day games, but for an East Coast team that is defending the World Series, the Phillies are getting relativley little MSM play.

Well, Lidge sandbagged (and tanked) the entire season.  Now he’s going to catch everyone off guard and dominate in the playoffs.  Brilliant!

Seriously though, I just read the article and it sounds reasonable enough.  I mean, it didn’t just come out of nowhere.  The timing is weird though.  As if he hasn’t had enough problems all year, he has to add another variable into the equation?  Now if he blows up in the playoffs it could be because of the knee, the mechanics, the command, the confidence, or the new pitch.  Sorry for the negative view, but come on already.

Trying to find a positive, maybe it will actually help him.  He can’t get knocked around any worse with a cutter than he has been without one, can he?  Still, it smacks of desperation.

The funny thing is that you have the opposite problem once you get to the World Series.  The games start late, they end late, and you’re trying to stay awake to watch them while also trying to make it through the following work day on less sleep.  At least it’s a problem for some of us older guys anyway.

Good to know about the live blogging, Pete.  I won’t be joining you for game 1.  I’m only working until 3pm on Wednesday and I’m recording the game.  I’ll be able to see what I missed and catch up to real time, so I don’t want any spoilers before I get home.  

I’ll be here on Thursday though because I’m working until 7pm.  I’m still going to record the game, but I plan on listening to it on the radio  during the day anyway.  If the Phils win, I’ll watch the game when I get home.  If they don’t, I won’t bother.  I’ll check and if you’re here I’ll join in.

Thank God for the DVR!

The other problem for the Phillies is that the top of the order is not hitting well.  Rollins had a decent September, but his .320 OBP for Sept/Oct is still below average.   Combine that with the OBP’s for  the slumping Victorino (.286 in Sept/Oct) and slumping Utley (.290 in Sept/Oct) and it’s not hard to see why the Phillies have struggled for runs at times.   The lack of production from the top of the order was mitigated by the almost-expected great Sept/Oct from Howard (and decent production from Ibanez and Werth), but I’d feel better about the offense going into the playoffs if the top 3 guys were getting on consistently.  (Note: it’s nice to see that Howard has finally inched ahead of Utley in the Phillies MVP voting on this site.  Maybe hitting over 100 points better in Sept/Oct had something to do with it.)

One note about the Rockies:  this year’s team has good depth, but they don’t have Matt Holliday (and especially not the 2007 Matt Holliday).  That has to count for something, right? 

Do you think the Rockies will trade some of their 3 “extra starters” after the season? Or go with this strategy all next year as well. We could probably use Atkins here at 3B.