The Colorado Rockies’ slide continues, and it’s very quickly snowballing into a full blown wash. Currently ranking 27th overall in MLB rankings, the 2012 season is rapidly descending into the “lost” stage with little hope of a return to the division race. The Rockies only hope is that Matt Kemp’s hamstring can help shorten the 10-game gap between them and the Dodgers.
I won’t even delve into pitching because that horse has been beaten to death and buried under the bump. My issue today is the front office and its stance on this.
When asked about possible changes coming to the coaching staff and upper management, Rockies GM Dan O’Dowd replied, “That’s not how we do business.” Take that lie somewhere else, Dan. Tracy has a very similar record to former manager Clint Hurdle when he was replaced with the incumbent. Granted, Hurdle never had a handshake of indefinite managerial commitment – whatever that’s worth. Don’t tell us that you won’t replace managers when past history says you easily have: first with Buddy Bell, then Hurdle. I think Tracy’s job is safe for now, but those handshake deals aren’t enforceable in the court of law.
Then I take issue with the “not how we do business” line. Dude, you don’t have a proven way of doing business. You’re not the Yankees, Rays or Phillies who do have proven ways of “doing business.” The Rockies way of doing business is “more of the same” and “better luck next year.” Their organizational model is “draft and develop” nobodies. I mean, who in the minor league system is a legitimate pitcher that anyone has heard of? Don’t say Christian Friedrich, I’ll get to him in a minute.
You can’t name one, and for good reason: There aren’t any. Hell, the pitchers they do have in rotation, short of Juan Nicasio, are sub-par or worse, and aren’t doing much to prove otherwise.
Back to Friedrich. The Rockies are hoping and praying this guy works out because they need at least one more pitcher to point at and say “look, this works!” I want Friedrich to do well, but at the same time, I don’t want the front office to try and pump up Nicasio and Friedrich as proof that their system “works.” It yields some fruit, but the player tree is pretty bare otherwise. Friedrich dealt another good match on Monday, going seven innings, allowing one run and sending 10 batters back to the dugout with a zero.
I like Friedrich and wish him some wins, but I worry that the front office will propagandize this moment if it continues to roll, while the wins do not.
Heads should roll, but until Dick Monfort decides to spend money and O’Dowd has some legit pressure put on him, nothing will change, and there will be more of the same. As it stands now, I can’t even look at the schedule and pick out wins because the Rockies can be beat by anybody on any night due to a poor rotation and spotty batting.
Tulowtizki is OK and De La Rosa was almost set back
Troy Tulowitzki took a line drive off the leg, while in the dugout. During the eighth inning, Dexter Fowler pinch-hit for Tyler Colvin (I don’t know why), and it resulted in Tulo going to the trainer’s room. He is day-to-day and should be fine, as there was no damage discovered by x-ray.
Recovering pitcher Jorge De La Rosa was almost set back during his double-A rehab assignment this last weekend after being pulled during the first inning for tightness. He was scheduled to start Tuesday and is still on track for rejoining the team in June … just in time to have to carry the team on his back.
Follow me on Twitter @CoryWhitmer
