The winter isn’t just for those players who are in the Best Shape of Their Lives. Sometimes guys go in the opposite direction. For example, according to the Denver Post, Colorado Rockies GM Dan O’Dowd is not pleased with Jhoulys Chacin’s conditioning:
Pitcher Jhoulys Chacin disappointed O’Dowd with his offseason workouts. O’Dowd believes Chacin needs to drop weight, because the added pounds affect the balance in his delivery and undermine his fastball command. Chacin spent much of the winter training in Venezuela rather than working out in Tucson. A person close to Chacin said Thursday the right-hander weighs 226 pounds — and expects to be close to the 218 he was last spring when he reports to spring training Feb. 19.
Chacin, while obviously effective, had some issues last year with forearm tightness and things like that. He also had his heaviest workload ever, however, so anything that is going to keep him healthy and in the rotation is a good thing. So, yeah, burn some of that weight, Jhoulys.
