Since the Colorado Rockies have come into the majors back in 1993, they have only had 6 winning seasons; making the playoffs a mere 3 times. Their last appearance postseason appearance was in 2009, which was the 2nd time they made it out of 3 years. The team they had from 2007-2010 produced a record of 339-310 with guys like Todd Helton, Matt Holliday, and Jeff Francis leading the charge, but even that team wasn’t good enough to win the franchise’s first championship. The last four seasons they have not won more than 74 games; what happened to that 2007 miracle team?
The biggest issue over the past 4 campaigns has been pitching, mostly the starting rotation. Despite Colorado being in high altitude, making the ball fly a lot farther than other parks, it is not an excuse to not go hard after transactions to acquire pitching. Even with tremendous offense, pitching is the key to winning, especially in the NL. If the Rockies had some more all-star type pitching to go along with Jeff Francis back in 2007, they might have very well won the Fall Classic instead of getting swept. This franchise has always had great hitting, but they will continue to finish at or near the bottom of the division if they don’t make some significant moves to acquire star pitching.
The newly appointed GM, Jeff Bridich, has the chance to change the direction of the franchise for the coming years. Unlike the GM’s before him, Jeff needs to be fearless of going out getting the pitching help the team needs and not be afraid of giving up some bats for it. The lack of success for the Rockies is not a mystery, it’s one word: pitching.
Carlos Gonzalez and Troy Tulowitzki are both under huge contracts for at least 3 more seasons as the team leaders, but the problem is that they have both been very injury prone the last 2 seasons. Tulo has played 100+ games in only one season out of the last 4, and Cargo hasn’t played more than 70 games since his 2013 campaign. Sure they have been some of the best hitters in the game when they are healthy, but over $100 million is riding on these two guys alone, and their value when they are healthy could very well bring in some lethal arms. What are blocking the opportunities of acquiring ace pitching are the two contracts of their leaders Tulo and Cargo. It may hurt Colorado’s offense if one or both of them are traded, but if Jeff Bridrich is able to get back some quality arms, then it will all level out, as pitching wins championships.
The Rockies have a rising star in Nolan Arenado at 3rd base along with another in Corey Dickerson in the outfield. They also have a phenomenal glove in DJ LeMahieu at 2nd base; so all three of those young stars can easily be the team’s new leaders, while the old ones depart. There are teams out there like the Mets and Pirates who have plenty of young pitching, but need veteran bats, so why not trade Tulo or Cargo to one of those teams for pitching? It would also free up some cap space as well, to make room for signing arms in the offseason. The Rockies always have had tremendous bats coming up in the minors, plus they have a good bullpen with veteran arms like Latroy Hawkins. The biggest problem is talking free agent pitchers into coming to Coors Field due to the stadium being a pitcher’s hell, so that is why the Colorado Rockies need to start working the trade market and remodeling. Add a couple middle of the rotation guys and stock up on young pitching prospects, then the fan base will be ready to see their Rockies compete for a title.
