The Local newsletter is your free, daily guide to life in Colorado. For locals, by locals. Sign up today!
The Colorado Rockies are in the process of completing multi-year deals for General Manager Dan O’Dowd and manager Jim Tracy, reports The Denver Post.
O’Dowd has been the Rockies deal-maker since 1999, going from borderline-reviled to anointed saint. It was O’Dowd who pulled the trigger on the very unpopular deal that sent slugger Matt Holliday to the Oakland A’s in exchange for outfielder Carlos Gonzales and closer Huston Street, two integral players in the Rockies’ 2009 playoff run.
Tracy’s only been at the helm in the dugout since May 29, when he replaced fired manager Clint Hurdle, but working under the “interim” title, he’s managed one of the greatest turnarounds in baseball history, leading his team to a 74-42 record, according to MLB.com, a performance that will likely earn him National League Manager of the Year. But not everybody is sold on the deal for Tracy.
InDenverTimes writes that even though Tracy’s leadership should qualify him for a new deal, the team should take a closer look.
The Times doesn’t like Tracy’s micromanagement in the playoffs, which led to the slumping Garrett Atkins playing at third base ahead of slugger Ian Stewart, despite Atkins’ well-documented problems at the plate for the better part of the year. They also question his decision to keep outfielder Seth Smith on the bench, despite the fact that he was one of the hottest hitters down the stretch.