Colorado has been unable to reach .500 since Jun. 9 and it has been an uphill battle for the Rockies since.
Former Rockies’ pitcher Mark Knudson discussed the Rockies current situation and the potential future of Nolan Arenado. Knudson joined Gil Whiteley and Mark Jackson of Mile High Sports AM 1340 | FM 104.7 to discuss it all Wednesday.
Before the season, Jon Gray was tagged as the ace of the Rockies’ pitching staff and has not been able to live up to those expectations so far this season. Gray’s 5.52 ERA has been a big leap, in a bad way, from last year’s 3.67 ERA.
“Having a 7-7 record right now, Jon Gray is the reason this team is below .500,” said Knudson. “This is a guy you need to go out and be your guy and have 13, 14 wins right now and the team would look totally different. He’s supposed to be the lead guy and it’s just not working out.”
Bryan Shaw’s 7.57 ERA has been a disappointment for Colorado, but he will look to get things in order while he is on the disabled list.
“Managment is not happy right now,” Knudson continued. “They’re not happy with some of the performances. They feel like they’ve kind of been let down by some guys. Bryan Shaw’s name comes to the top of that list.”
For sure, the Rockies have been unable to put their hitting and pitching together at the right time and it has hurt them. In May, it was the hitting that was absent and during the month of June, it has been the pitching.
“Putting those two things together is kind of the key to a title run,” said Knudson. “They’re missing something. They’ve been missing it since the beginning of the season. It’s just some sort of intangible that’s keeping them from becoming everything they can be.”
If Colorado continues to slowly slip out of playoff contention, General Manager Jeff Bridich may look to sell some of the teams expiring contracts at the deadline. DJ LeMahieu, Gerardo Parra, Adam Ottavino and Carlos Gonzalez are all set to be free agents at the conclusion of the season, and potentially getting something in return for either one of them could be a smart investment.
But, selling at the deadline would show that the Rockies are looking at their future, and that is a future that Arenado may decide to pass on.
“I think he’s going to stay,” Knudson continued. “I just do. He’s comfortable here. Carlos Gonzalez had a chance to leave and didn’t. I think Nolan sees that. Most of the guys that have been here haven’t opted to leave except Matt Holliday. I think he’ll stay.”
Sorry – this audio content is no longer available., including his thoughts on what Colorado might do at the trade deadline.
Sorry – this audio content is no longer available.