The Rockies have had a start to the season that only a diehard Rockies fan that has her/his blinders on would have expected. They are currently tied for 2nd in their division, 2.5 games back, and tied for the NL 2nd Wild Card (another stupid Selig). The NL West looks to be wide open and if a team gets hot for a month, that may be the difference. Unfortunately, that's not happening for the Rockies anytime soon. They have relied heavily on the bats of 2 of the best players in baseball in CarGo and Tulo. Both are amongst the best at their positions both offensively and defensively. Unfortunately, the Rockies and their fans have come to expect Tulo to be out 25-50 games or 115 like last year. Tulo will be out a minimum of 29 games with the hope he can return right after the All Star game, but if the injury takes longer to heal, it could be 50 games and an August return. It is really too bad, Tulowitzki has been having an amazing year. He leads the NL in OPS and Slugging Percentage. He then is in the Top 5 of the major offensive statistics of AVG, HR, RBI and OBP. Additionally, he leads the league in Field Percentage at shortstop. Tulowitzki is a difference maker and a Top 5 player in the league. The Rockies are lucky to have another player that is almost on his level in a Top 10 in most major statistics and in general in CarGo. The problem is, the Rockies haven't got consistent production outside of Dexter Fowler and Michael Cuddyer. CarGo will no longer be protected in the line-up by Tulo and his stats and this team will feel it.
The Rockies have been fortunate their starting pitching and bullpen have been solid. Yes, they have cost them a few games but that's baseball. For the most part they keep them in every game and the team has played great ball. The Rockies lost too much when both Tulo and Dexter went down. They are going to feel it these next couple weeks if Dexter's recovery takes more than a few games and even after that, the Rockies might not be able to handle what looks like Everest compared to Pikes Peak.
Here is what has to be done to try to Band-Aid these issues until Tulowitzki gets back and at least remain within 5 games come the All Star Break. Get aggressive as a front office. This entail trades, bringing up guys and swinging for the fences. Here are some suggestions:
- Start Roy Oswalt and give him 3 games to pitch. He is an old guy that can still pitch unlike Jon Garland and Jeff Francis. The rotation is getting by on fumes. Jeff Francis is lucky to be on a roster and doesn't need the courtesy to get one more start. I worry about his giving up HRs in Coors Field. The good news is Oswalt is 4-0 at 5 starts in Coors Field.
- Tyler Chatwood is healthy again and actually has been solid while pitching up after getting the call-up. If Oswalt struggles or the fragile Chacin continues to stay shaky, it may be time to bring Drew Pomeranz up. He has been up and down in the minors this year with his high pitch counts and average WHIP. That said, he has to prove himself soon at the next level. I think 3 more weeks is enough time if any of the guys struggle.
- Make a trade for a 1B or 2B that has some pop. The Rockies have had no power at these positions for years. 2B is a tough place to get a power hitter, but first base is a place you expect it. Todd, thanks for all your years and your swan song ending with hoping to see you bat 0.250 but if the trade is there to get a guy that can help, do it. Your farm system has yielded nothing because you have let Todd sit there and ignored the position for years.
- Panic if shit hits the fan. The Rockies will have no pop in their interior infield for awhile. If by the time the trade deadline and All Star Break hits, the Rockies are out of it, trade everything that is not necessary for future years so you can get better for future years. Cuddyer could get you a decent prospect or two, waive or trade Helton for a bag of peanuts, Torrealba could help a contending team. Yep, another Rockies youth movement.
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