Goodbyes are always hard. Saying “so long” to a franchise player like Troy Tulowitzki is harder than most. But trading the team’s best player, a perennial All-Star, was the right move at the right time and might signal a turn in philosophy – and long-term fortunes – for the Colorado Rockies.
The Rockies could still make a last-second trade deadline move, but regardless if there’s another trade or not, there’s much that can still be accomplished during the final two months of this season – and that includes a trade or two next month and the chance to acquire more young arms.
Say what you want about what the Rockies got in return for Tulo (truth is, we just don’t know yet), but give them credit. For the past five-plus years, this has been about the least “bold” organization in baseball. Status quo was the constant. So give ownership and management a high five for being willing to change course, for letting new General Manager Jeff Bridich do his job without emotions standing in the way. Being bold – which includes having the courage to tear everything down in order to rebuild – is the only way this franchise becomes a legit contender again.
The trade of Tulo is as much about young shortstop prospect Trevor Story – and what he represents – as it is about the young pitching prospects Colorado got in return. Bridich isn’t banking on luring expensive free agents to town. He’s banking on what he knows best: Player development. The two-decade old Achilles heel of the organization (when it comes to pitching, especially) is now what the Rockies brass is all about. Yes, that’s a bit scary. Still, they understand better than most that the more quality arms you can bring in, the better your chances are of having one or two emerge as standouts.
So with “Rox Rebuild” now becoming official, here are three things Colorado can do during the next two months to help push the reclamation project forward:
1. Trade Jose Reyes (acquired for Tulo in case you’ve been asleep) ASAP. This can be done even after the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline passes because Reyes and his $22 million salary will likely clear waivers, meaning he can be dealt during the month of August, too. That makes it time to see some of Cristhian Adames and Story, a chance to get a glimpse of who might be the shortstop of the immediate future. Trade Reyes to another club that will give up three more young pitching prospects. At this point, the Rockies can’t have too many of those.
2. (If he’s not traded) ask more from Carlos Gonzalez. Start by moving him to center field where he belongs. Cargo is the best defensive outfielder on the roster (other than struggling, soon-to-be former Rockie Drew Stubbs). He has all the skills necessary to be an All-Star center fielder. Yet his lackluster performance in the “hustle” department (watch him stroll to his defensive position after making the third out… not even a slow jog) is hurting him in the eyes of scouts.
Ask yourself why the St. Louis Cardinals would trade a well thought of left-handed pitching prospect to Cleveland for outfielder Brandon Moss who was barely hitting over .200?
It’s because scouts have serious questions about Gonzalez’s “drive.” He won’t run out most ground balls. Most scouts don’t like him. He doesn’t look highly motivated, even when he goes on a hot streak like he’s done recently. So what’s there to lose by demanding more from Cargo and by playing him where he can help the team – and his reputation – the most? Time to stop worrying about his injury history. Taking it easy on him isn’t helping Cargo or the team.
3. Hold open pitching auditions. See just who can help next season and who can’t. That includes the insertion of Jon Gray into the rotation in September, of course. After a solid outing in his last appearance, Gray appears to be making the necessary progress toward learning how to be successful in the Mile High conditions. His Triple-A stats aren’t great, but he’s only pitched 114 innings so his workload isn’t such that he can’t spend September making a handful more starts and honing his craft. A big part of Colorado’s future rests on his shoulders.
But it’s more than Gray.
Ask more from Eddie Butler, too… and Chad Bettis when he returns. Find out if you have a closer on the roster (Justin Miller or Tommy Kahnle maybe?), because it’s clearly not John Axford, Rafael Betancourt and Company. Try pitchers in situations they aren’t accustomed to and see how they react. There’s nothing like live auditions to test the mettle of a man who will be called on in high-pressure situations.
The immediate future isn’t as important as the slightly more distant future. That’s when the development of newly acquired Jeff Hoffman – selected just one pick after the Rockies drafted lefty Kyle Freeman in 2014 – and the rest of the young arms that Bridich has assembled will come to the forefront. They are all prospects, not saviors, so keep bringing guys like them to town. This rebuild needs more pieces.
Let’s look at August 1 as a new beginning for the Colorado Rockies. There’s a lot of work to do, but thankfully also a newfound willingness to do it.
Listen to Mark Knudson and Michael Klahr, Saturday mornings 8 a.m. – 10 a.m., on Sports Stampede on Mile High Sports Radio AM 1340.